The ante-post favourite, who equalled the track record in the heats, was again largely foot-perfect in the first semi-final of the 400m Category One as he raced away for a seven-length victory to follow up an eight lengths-plus victory in the heats the week previously to seal his place in the £10,000 showpiece.

Blasting to a 3.56sec sectional – two spots quicker than his heat split – the Kevin Hutton-trained Magical Luka soon had the measure of fast-trapping March On Luna into the bend and again turned the race into a procession as the October 23 son of King Sheeran and Magical Mary crossed the line clear in 23.43sec (normal).

Magical Luka, with seven race wins in Ireland and four in the UK, is now long odds-on to take the title and maintain his unbeaten career record, and for the runner-up’s trainer Craig Morris it’s about having the opportunity to be part of a showcase final.

“What can you say about Luka? He’s certainly some dog for Kevin (Hutton) and Pat (Guilfoyle), and it’s a privilege to be in the same final right alongside him again with March On Luna,” he said. “She’s a great bitch for myself and is running so well for George (Watson) – and you just never know! It’s greyhound racing after all.

“Then again, I think we all know we’re up against it – you only have to look at the times Luka’s clocked. But I can only talk about Luna and I’ve been delighted how she’s come back to the track.

“She came into me off the back of a lay-off and then came in season, so we’ve given her plenty of time with a few trials at Yarmouth just really to get her fit again. She actually trapped really well in the semi-final against Luka – and same again in the final would be great. Then we’ll see where we’re at.”

Friday’s Coral Romford Puppy Cup Final will unusually feature two sets of littermates – Scooby Diamond and Aero Najem, plus Droopys Alldeway and Underground Fizz.

The Paul Young-trained Droopys Alldeway made all in the second semi-final, the locally trained October 23 son of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Sweet racing away to lead home Aero Najem (Richard Taberner) by five lengths in 24.03sec (normal).

The third semi went to the Nathan Hunt-trained Scooby Diamond, a January 24 daughter of Grangeview Ten and Scooby Duchess, who was also quickly away and secured a first-bend lead before crossing the line a length clear of the running-on Underground Fizz.

The latter will ensure Romford’s Paul Young is doubly handed in Friday’s decider.

Trap draw for Friday’s Coral Romford Puppy Cup Final: 1 Underground Fizz, 2 Droopys Alldeway, 3 Magical Luka (M), 4 March On Luna (M), 5 Scooby Diamond (M), 6 Aero Najem (M).