ROMEO COMMAND heads into Sunday’s Blue Riband final at Towcester as a warm favourite after another authoritative performance in the second semi-final of the Category One competition over 500m.

Patrick Janssens’ track record holder was led early by fast-starting and front-running Swift Iconic (John Mullins) but powered to the front down the far side on his way to another brilliant performance at the Northamptonshire venue, crossing the line four and a quarter lengths clear of Swift Iconic and Fabulous Sonique (Mark Wallis), who dead-heated for second. A toss of the coin saw the latter progress to the £10,000 decider.

The winning time was 28.87sec (normal), another top-class effort from the January 2021 son of Dorotas Wildcat and Drive On Betsy, who continues to delight connections and heads into the final unbeaten in 2024.

Winning trainer Janssens has been away for the heats and semis but is returning for the final and praised daughter Ria and partner Jamie (McGee) for guiding the English Derby runner-up and last year’s British Breeders Stakes winner to another major final.

“They’ve done a fantastic job while myself and Cheryl have taken a few days away and we’re all looking forward to Sunday,” he said.

“Romeo Command is just a great competition dog and did us proud last year and already this year, too. He’s running as well as ever.

“We’re in another top-class final against five other great dogs so we know he’ll have to do things right again. He’s been checked over again by Ron Mills and all is good for the weekend.

“Once again thanks to our excellent staff and to Towcester for kicking off the year with a brilliant competition.”

Signet Goofy joins Romeo Command as another unbeaten Blue Riband finalist after John Mullins’ now-senior January 2020 son of Magical Bale and Forest Natalee was again foot-perfect from lid-rise in the third semi-final before producing another solid front-running exhibition.

The prolific-scoring four-year-old soon had his rivals under pressure in behind and held sway up front before crossing the line a length and a half clear of the staying-on Whyaye Man (Mark Wallis) in 29.42sec (normal).

The opening semi went deservedly to Chelms Sonny who, despite being a 7-1 chance, paced up well into the first bend to head his rivals, edging and holding off fast-starting Wasted Monday (Belinda Green) at the crown of the turn before going on.

Thereafter, the Craig Morris-trained July 2021 son of Broadstrand Bono and Follys View was on his way to a length and a quarter win over (Premier Greyhound Racing) Eclipse champion Newinn Syd (Mark Wallis) in 29.25sec (normal.)

Trap draw for Sunday’s Blue Riband final: 1 Chelms Sonny, 2 Romeo Command, 3 Whyaye Man, 4 Newinn Syd, 5 Fabulous Sonique, 6 Signet Goofy (w).