SIGNET DENVER produced another superb show of front-running to clock the fastest time in the semi-finals of the RPGTV Puppy Derby at Towcester on Sunday.

The Kevin Hutton-trained home-bred youngster, runner-up in the recent BGBF Puppy Cup over C&D, was soon bowling along in front after a fast start and was never headed as the January 2020 batch of Magical Bale and Forest Natalee crossed the line two lengths clear of Make Noise (Seamus Cahill) and Ireland’s Enthusiast (Brendan Matthews). The winning time was 29.51sec (normal).

The first semi-final went to the Ted Soppitt-trained Skywalker Forte as this son of a Towcester English Derby hero in Dorotas Wildcat struck gold.

Led from the boxes by fast-starting Alien World (Frank Gray), the February 2020 whelp paced up to assume command inside off the second bend and kept up the gallop throughout to win by one and three-quarter lengths from Callmesteve (John Mullins) and Maturereflection in 29.58sec. The latter is trained by Brendan Matthews giving the Irish handler two chances in Sunday’s £10,000 decider.

Winning trainer Soppitt said of the Ray Patterson-owned runner: “It was certainly a nice enough run, although I’m still not sure he’s back to his early Newcastle form.

“He won his first two races for us at Newcastle and then at Nottingham. He’s taken time to adapt to Towcester and I think that’s the reason he’s not at the level I’d like him to be – and know he is. Remember he did 28.35sec at Newcastle first time up off the back of trials. I think it’s a confidence issue with the dog but he’s improved in every race at Towcester  both on sectional time and overall times.

“Of course it’s nice to be in there and hopefully a stepping stone to better things for his owner Ray Patterson.”

Towcester consultant and spokesman Nathan Corden: “We had one or two surprises in the semi-finals – and sadly for connections hot favourite Havana Bale Out was knocked out after trouble. Hopefully she’ll will back winning again soon – she’s top class. However, fair play to the connections of the six who have qualified and they’re set to make it a really good and competitive Puppy Derby Final on Sunday.

“Our thanks, of course, go to sponsors RPGTV and the final will be live on the show, of course. Well done to the Matthews family for once again making it through to a Towcester final! They’ve done brilliantly to have two finalists and that will ensure even more Irish interest in the final. Good luck to the locals – Callmesteve for John Mullins and Kevin Hutton with the in-form Signet Denver.

“Ted Soppitt has long had classy greyhounds and great to see him in one of our finals with Skywalker Forte, plus good luck, too, to Seamus Cahill who is represented by Make Noise as the kennel looks to repeat last year’s victory with Surprising. All in all, it looks a great final and will be full supported by a host of open races over various distances – closing on Wednesday.”

Trap draw and form for Sunday’s RPGTV Puppy Derby Final: https://towcester-racecourse.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/PD8.pdf

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=380191&raceId=798086