LIZ MCNAIR trains half the field in Saturday’s £10,000-to-the-winner Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic Final at Monmore after Fromposttopillar caught Havana Top Note in their semi-final clash before defending champion Warzone Tom qualified behind runaway winner Cochise in their semi.

Fromposttopillar, fastest in the first round in his first six-bend campaign, was led early by Havana Top Note but came home the stronger to score in the first semi-final, hitting the front rounding the final turns to score by a length and a half from his kennelmate in 37.72sec (normal) for the 630m trip at the Wolverhampton track.

Droopys Clue went one spot quicker – and was quickest overall – in the second semi as Seamus Cahill’s dog came home strongly to peg back Barrie Draper’s Distant Emma, who had cut loose from the off. The latter kept on well but Droopys Clue crossed the line a length clear of the Sheffield raider, scoring in 37.71sec (normal).

Cochise struck for Richard Rees in the third semi-final as the Derby finalist trapped well inside and led his rivals a merry dance to score by five and three-quarter lengths from last year’s winner Warzone Tom, who was always handy. The winning time was 37.74sec, meaning less than half a length separated all three semi-final victors.

Paul Mason, Monmore’s stadium manager, said: “Well done to all of those who have made the Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic Final – and for our other finals here on Saturday, including the Ladbrokes Gold Cup. It promises to be a brilliant meeting and, in terms of overall prize-money, our biggest of the year.

“The Summer Stayers Classic and Gold Cup are both Cats Ones, worth £10,000 to the winner, but we also have the Peter Billingham Memorial, which remembers the late trainer and Hall of Famer – our own Kim Billingham’s dad, of course – plus the Vixons Contracts Ltd Trophy Final, which is backed by another of our trainers Brian Thompson.

“These are Cat Threes which help spice a great card for what should be a bumper crowd on Bank Holiday weekend with some of the fastest and best greyhounds in training on show – including Liz McNair’s Fromposttopillar who has developed a real following.

“He was the most talked-about runner heading into the Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic and has not disappointed his legion of supporters. However, it’s also great to see his kennelmates in the final including reigning champion Warzone Tom. No greyhound has ever won back-to-back Summer Stayers Classic – so that would be some feat.

“Good luck to connections of all the runners here on Saturday and trainers are reminded that entries for the supporting races close on Wednesday.”

Trap draw for the Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic Final: https://assets.cj1.in/imminent-otter/production/assets/results/Monmore/form-guides/Saturday-26th-Aug-Finals.pdf