PATRICK JANSSENS proved the trainer to follow as the BresBet Gymcrack kicked off at Sheffield on Sunday – enjoying a clean sweep in the three heats of the famous puppy competition.

Completing a good weekend for Janssens after his Oaks champion Druids Say Go roared back to form in the heats of the Arc Laurels at Perry Barr, it was the turn of her younger kennelmates to dominate in the 500m heats.

Droopys Trade saved the best for last on UK debut in heat three as the 36-kilo July 2023 son of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Alice, a half brother of Category One winners Slick Sentinel and Front Alice, was soon in command.

Keeping up a strong gallop throughout thereafter, the Janssens youngster had stretched five and three-quarter lengths clear of kennelmate Romeo Tomcat at the line in a fast 28.73sec (+10), with Newinn Deputy (Richie Taberner) and Glengar Lisa (Tom Heilbron) taking the first-four qualifying positions.

The event kicked off with success for Romeo Alliance in heat one as the October 2023 son of Romeo Magico and Fabulous Mila produced a strong-running performance, reeling in Brinkleys Loulou (Tom Heilbron) before going on for a two-length victory over that rival, the latter’s kennelmate Deerjet Rocket and Inspector (Doug Butler) in 29.07sec (+10).

The winner’s littermate Romeo Ability then made it a family double in heat two, albeit in a different fashion as a snappy start set up an all-the-way victory over Elusivenomore (Jimmy Fenwick), Arthur Job (Patrick Godfrey) and Dominoh Hoo Hoo (Tom Heilbron) in a slick 28.89sec (+10).

Sheffield’s director of racing Andrew Mascarenhas admitted to being slightly disappointed with the number of entries for the Gymcrack but not the overall quality.

“We had 17 runners looking to follow in the footsteps of last year’s winner and now greyhound superstar Wicky Ned – and Patrick Janssens dominated the ante-post market with his runners at the top of the betting.

“All four of Patrick’s entries easily navigated the heats to make the semi-finals, with Droopys Trade setting the standard and improving on his pre-competition workouts.

“Romeo Ability then reversed the previous week’s form when he got everything wrong and was well beaten by Jimmy Fenwick’s Elusivenomore. This time he got the better of that rival, although both ran well.

“Tom Heilbron’s quartet of entries also all qualified with Deerjet Rocket and Brinkleys Loulou improving from trials here.

“Overall it was another well-attended Sunday here with a fully sold-out restaurant after a very busy Saturday night. We’re looking forward now to the weekend’s semi-finals.”

Trap draw for Sunday’s semis-finals: https://owlertonstadium.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/BresBet-Gymcrack-Semi-Final-Form.pdf