MAGICAL ARROW set the standard in the heats of the Ladbrokes Winter Derby at Monmore on Tuesday – posting a fastest-of-the-night 28.35sec in beating hot favourite and Oaks runner-up Queen Jessiej (Liz McNair).

Well away in heat two, the Kevin Hutton-trained was always bossing proceedings and went away to land the spoils one and a half lengths clear of Queen Jessiej in 28.35sec (-40) – and the pair will meet again in a red-hot semi-final on Saturday.

“It’s certainly a hot heat – and that’s an understatement,” said winning trainer Hutton after the December 18 son of Magical Bale and Gurrane Princess drew not just Queen Jessiej but ante-post favourite Tenpin, plus heat winners Coolavanny Kyser and Jazzers Man.

“We’ve also got Signet Mafia in there, who ran a good race when leading in his heat, so I’m not sure we’ve too lucky with the draw but we’ll do our best,” said the Monmore-based handler, who has four semi-finalists.

Of Magical Arrow, Hutton added: “We purchased him unraced from the Guilyfoyles and probably rushed him a touch to get him qualified for the Romford Puppy Cup last year, where he finished fourth in the first round after crowding.

“But he really looked the part when winning his next race at Central Park in the heats of a maiden and ran a good race in the final when picked up after leading. We then took him to Perry Barr for the puppy competition supporting the St Leger and he won heat and final.

“He actually clocked a fastest-of-the-night run for four bends in the final on a card which also included the Birmingham Cup, so it looked a terrific run. He’s since won races since at Central Park but we gave him a rest before the Winter Derby – and he looks good.

“He’s a real kennel favourite with a super attitude at home.”

Long-odds favourite Tenpin kicked off his Winter Derby campaign when winning heat one, albeit it was no plain sailing for David Mullins’ runner as he was led from the boxes and only hit the front down the far side, catching leader Great Eastern (Kevin Hutton).

He then just held the fast-finishing Velvet Juliet (Angela Harrison) to score by neck by 28.76sec.

Mark Wallis’s Blue Riband runner-up Coolavanny Kyser (28.42sec -40) led home another Hutton runner in Signet Ace in heat three, while heat four witnessed another Monmore success for last year’s Puppy Derby hero Newinn Jacko – albeit in another tight finish.

Tasty Treat (Julie Bateson) stepped up from sprinting to set the tempo here and it was only close home where the Olympic champion reeled in the pacesetter to win by a length in 28.74sec (-40) for the 480m.

The remaining two heats were won by local star Jazzers Man (28.69sec -40), who edged out Gymstar Elusive (Chris Akers) in another thriller, while King Louis caught Signet Mafia (Kevin Hutton) close home for a length victory in 28.56sec (-40).

Monmore racing manager Tony Williamson said: “All round it was a fantastic night’s racing and we’ve ended up with some great action on Saturday for the semi-finals.

“The second semi-final is quite unreal with the front two in the original ante-post market Tenpin and Queen Jessiej against each other, along with Magical Arrow.

“It was the first time we’ve seen Tenpin really challenged here and he battled well to win, although I’m sure Velvet Juliet will improve from that run – she finished so well to nearly snatch victory on the line.

“Magical Arrow was the most impressive on the night and showed great early pace to lead Queen Jessiej.

“It was unfortunate that Gary Ferguson never made it. There was an accident on the M6 and he was held up badly, but I’m delighted to say he’ll be back with his runners for the supporting competitions on Saturday and we wish him a much safer and stress-free journey.”

Draw for Saturday’s Ladbrokes Winter Derby semis:-

First semi: 1 Great Eastern, 2 Gymstar Elusive, 3 Tasty Treat, 4 Amazing Wink, 5 Bubbly Magnum (m), 6 Queen Lilly (w).

Second semi: 1 Queen Jessiej, 2 Colavanny Kyser,  3 Tenpin,  4 Signet Mafia (m), 5 Jazzers Man (w), 6 Magical Arrow (w).

Third semi: 1 Signet Ace, 2 Bubbly Bollinger, 3 Darbys Ranger, 4 Velvet Juliet (m), 5 Newinn Jacko (m), 6 King Louis (w).