MONMORE could be ready to celebrate the first back-to-back winner of the Ladbrokes Gold Cup this weekend after Headford Dane’s storming victory in the semi-finals.

The Wolverhampton track’s communications manager Joe Edwards said after Maxine Locke’s dog posted the fastest time on another super Saturday at the Midlands venue: “Anybody who knows me is aware that I’m not the best when it comes to predictions, but what a story it would be if Headford Dane could win the Gold Cup again.

“He’d be the first to achieve that feat and it’d also be a third Category One triumph here after winning the Puppy Derby last year. He’s been running really well, but what a fantastic Gold Cup final we have in store with big-race winners aplenty and it promises to be an excellent race – and a great night from start to finish.

“We have the Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic Final, another Category One on the card, plus two other finals. We are celebrating a Hall Of Famer here with the Peter Billingham Memorial Trophy Final as well as the Wednesbury Garden Services Sprint Trophy – and we thank those guys for their support.”

Headford Dane set the standard in the Gold Cup on semi-final night as the August 2023 son of Ballymac Bolger and Headford Honey was again quickly away at his favourite track in the second semi and was never headed as he raced away for a four and three-quarter lengths win over Scooby Diamond (Nathan Hunt) in a super-slick 27.90sec (normal).

Woltemade hit the back of the net again in the first semi-final as Jimmy Fenwick’s Arc Northern Puppy Derby and Time Northern Flat winner champion again showed the early pace which sealed heat success as he made all to win from Headford Cian (Maxine Locke) in 28.09sec (normal) to raise the possibility of a third Category One success.

Slingshot Poppy got back on the winning trail in the third semi-final as Brian Fairbairn’s roared to the first bend to make the turn in front and was never headed thereafter as the Angel of The North winner crossed the line half a length from the running-on Grouchos Gregor (Kelly Wilton) in 28.21sec (normal) for the 480m trip.

Trap draw for Saturday’s Ladbrokes Gold Cup Final: 1 Headford Dane, 2 Grouchos Gregor, 3 Scooby Diamond (m), 4 Slingshot Poppy (m), 5 Woltemade (m), 6 Headford Cian (m).