MONMORE racing manager Tony Williamson’s described Saturday’s semi-finals of the Ladbrokes Winter Derby as one of the best night’s racing he has seen at the Wolverhampton venue – with the head-to-head between Hopes Paddington and Hawkfield Ozark in the first semi a particular highlight.

Victory went to the Mark Wallis-trained Hopes Paddington who maintained his unbeaten record in the GBGB Category One annual, but only after a real tussle with the Irish Sprint Cup winner in a superb contest, agreed Williamson.

“That race was up there with the best,” said Williamson. “It was a brilliant head-to head between two super-fast greyhounds who both wanted to win. No quarter was asked or given in that race, but then again you’d have to say Coolavanny Shado edging out Burnchurch Mick in their semi was also a stormer.

“The winning times were identical for the first and second semis, and then just one spot slower was Hesoneofourown in what was a great third semi for Belinda Green, sending out kennelmates to finish first and second.

“It sets things up for a brilliant final on Saturday and hopefully they all get a chance to race. A field of railers is never ideal, but pretty much the semi-finals ran to form and we have six top-class runners going for gold at the weekend.”

Hopes Paddington kicked off semi-final night with victory in the first semi as the Yarmouth Derby and Blue Riband winner completed a four-timer in defeating Hawkfield Ozark – the pair both securing places in Saturday’s £10,000-to-the-winner final.

Quickly away, the Wallis-trained tracker held a narrow advantage in the early strides before Hawkfield Ozark (Patrick Janssens) unleashed a turn of pace to join the favourite at the turn – at the pair were virtually inseparable thereafter in the 480m contest.

Pulling clear of the remainder down the far side, no quarter was asked or given before Hopes Paddington’s stamina proved best as he went on for a two-and-a-quarter-lengths success over Hawkfield Ozark in 28.32sec (-10).

Coolavanny Shado posted an identical time in the second semi as the Patrick Janssens-trained runner broke in front of defending champion Burnchurch Mick (Richard Rees) and set a furious pace to establish a healthy advantage down the far side.

However, last year’s champion gradually reduced the deficit, staying on the stronger to join Coolavanny Shado on the line, the latter just holding on for a short-head success in 28.32sec (-10), matching the time of Hopes Paddington in the first semi.

Hesoneofourown made it two-from-two in the UK in the third semi-final as the Belinda Green-trained runner overcame a moderate exit before unleashing a superb burst of early pace to lad his rivals into the turn, a lead he maintained to the line.

For good measure, kennelmate Betsys Bullet chased home the winner, showing pace at both ends to get to within a length of the 28.33sec (-10) winner at the line, just one spot off the clocks posted by both Hopes Paddington and Coolavanny Shado to set up a competitive final.

Form and trap draw for Saturday’s Ladbrokes Winter Derby Final 

Patrick Janssens’ Coolavanny Shado (right) holds on by a SH from defending champ Burnchurch Mick (Photo by Steve Nash)