DAVID MULLINS has two chances of landing a second victory in the event after his Droopys Standard and Romeo Crusade made it through to Saturday’s Arena Racing Company Kent Silver Salver Final at Central Park – after a night of surprises at the Kent venue on semi-final night of the Category One sprint annual.

The Mullins-trained Droopys Standard was fastest of the night after landing odds of 12-1 in the second semi-final after pacing up well off a slick exit and making all, with My Lennie (Adam Sear) winning the race for second as the favourite managed to weave his way through late to grab second and a place in the £12,500 decider.

However, it was the Romford-based September 2021 son of Laughil Blake and Droopys Curio who landed the spoils in 16.33sec (normal) for the 277m trip.

Romeo Crusade, the Romford Puppy Cup-winning kennelmate of Droopys Standard, had earlier made it through to another major final after finishing second to the Belinda Green-trained Guzzler in the first semi after the pair escaped the worst of the trouble.

Escaping scrimmaging behind, Guzzler led at the first bend as the October 2021 son of Pestana and Newinn Madam crossed the line three-quarters of a length clear of the keeping-on Romeo Crusade in 16.46sec (normal).

Hove-based winning trainer Green said of Guzzler: “This is a dog I’ve always thought a lot of. Since restarting his campaign this year he’s been very good and now has the bit between his teeth again, winning three of his last four starts.

“We didn’t get the preparation for this competition that we’d have liked as we had van trouble which meant he went in to Central Park without any previous knowledge of the place. He definitely improved as expected.

“I’d have preferred to be in six for the final but I think he’ll still give a very good account of himself and it’s great for the owners Guzzlers UK, especially Tony Ryan who has been a big support to the kennels.”

There was a huge surprise in the third semi-final as the Dan Brabon-trained Killuran Bella, a 28-1 chance, broke smartly inside and was always in pole position as her rivals jostled for position outside before stretching out on the run for the line.

Ultimately, the August 2021 daughter of Good News and White Queen landed the spoils by three-quarters of a length ahead of Billy Russell’s Perry Barr raider Magical Bluebear, who held the finish of favourite and Irish raider Hopes Hurricane (Pat Buckley) by a short-head. The winning time was 16.44sec (normal).

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=411698&raceId=1043125

Trap draw for Saturday’s final: 1 Droopys Standard, 2 Killuran Bella, 3 Romeo Crusade, 4 Magical Bluebear (m), 5 Guzzler (w), 6 My Lennie (w).