ROXHOLME POPPY was quickest in the heats of the Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic at Monmore on Thursday.

The Hayley Keightley-trained runner made all in heat four of the 630m Category One, winning by a wide margin as last year’s Towcester Puppy Derby finalist posted 37.40sec in scoring by ten lengths from Moreton Madras.

The event kicked off with the Barrie Draper’s Bull Run Button making a winning six-bend debut as the Racing Post Juvenile champion paced up well to lead at the bend and go on to land the spoils from market rival Apache Kid in 37.90sec.

Sunderland Grand Prix champion Bombers Bullet (Mark Wallis) kicked off his quest to plunder another major prize with a strong-running effort in heat two as he caught Buckos Lass and Romeo Desperado at the fourth bend before scoring from the former in 37.58sec.

Matt Dartnall’s Ela Juliet, the youngest runner in the six-bend competition and still a pup, completed a quickfire double over C&D after winning a prep race last week when wearing down longtime leader Roswell Romanov to win by a length in 37.92sec in heat three.

“There were some great performances on the night,” said Tony Williamson, Monmore’s racing manager. “I thought Ela Juliet getting up and leading on the run-in was a great effort and her clash with Bull Run Button in the semis looks a cracker.

“On the clock there were impressive efforts also from both Roxholme Poppy and Bombers Bullet – that should be a great battle in their semi – but we’ve still got the local hope and defending champ Buckos Lass in there for Corrin Price.”

Williamson said track conditions had been monitored throughout the day, given the continuing warm weather, and that the advice of the local vet had been sought before the meeting started. He also contacted trainers with regard to travelling.

“We made a point of calling on Wednesday night the likes of Mark Wallis, John Mullins, Matt Dartnall, Phil Simmonds – the trainers travelling the furthest – and also liaised with our own trainers. They had no concerns, and neither did our senior vet.

“The kennels here at Monmore do help as the air-con and air management system works so well. We also scheduled the heats early as to help the trainers get back to base at a reasonable time. We plan to do the same for the semi-finals.

“The track ran well. It was well watered before and the sprinkler system was utilised after every other race.”

Thursday’s semi-finals:-

First semi: 1 Soars Above, 2 Bull Run Button, 3 Ela Juliet, 4 Buckos Lass, 5 Apache Kid (m), 6 Jetstream Lynx (w).

Second semi: 1 Swift Danielle, 2 Bombers Bullet, 3 Roswell Romanov, 4 Moreton Madras, 5 Garryglass Champ (m), 6 Roxholme Poppy (w).