HIYA BUTT roared into the final of the Stadium Bookmakers National Sprint Trophy after an impressive performance in the opening semi-final of the 305m renewal at Nottingham on Monday – although it was a race which left connections with mixed emotions after kennelmates Roxholme Hat and Queen Adele missed out.

The last-named was bowled over at the bend along with Racy Rhythm, although both were quickly up on their feet. Indeed, Queen Adele was given a clean bill of health from Mark Keightley, husband of trainer Hayley, who said: “First off, Adele is fine, she just had nowhere to go. But I think Hat was unlucky – he must have taken three lengths off the front two up the run-in,” he said.

The Scurry Cup champion had broken slowly from trap five and was also playing catch-up behind Hiya Butt and Trapstyle Jet, who went head to head from the traps and into the bend, with the dual Derby finalist just nosing ahead as the bend approached and went on to win by two and a half lengths from Trapstyle Jet and the running-on Roxholme Hat in 17.62 (+10).

Of Hiya Butt, Mark Keightley added: “He’s had amazing year and this could top it off for him. He’s got trap one in the final which we’ve got to happy with, his form and times have been top notch – for a veteran now remember, and I’m not sure there’s a more consistent dog in training. He’s won 20 times from 35 in the UK, and always competed at the top level.

“Two Derby finals is one thing, a great thing, but to win a Peterborough Derby and finish second in the Northern Sprint (behind Mashmad Eyebrows) and third in the Yarmouth Derby (behind Newinn Shadow) – not to mention the Laurels last year – puts him right up there. Hopefully, the greyhound writers will give him due credit – it’s up to them whether it’s over two or four bends. He does it all!”

Hiya Butt, a September 2013 son of Hondo Black and Hather For Pat, was winning for the tenth time in his last 11 starts and will start a warm order for the £3,000 Category Two prize which looks sure to have a bearing on the Sprinter of the Year category at the GBGB Awards. Last year’s winner Trapstyle Jet (Jean Liles) lines up in his second straight National Sprint final.

Liz McNair’s Queen Anna, a litter sister of Queen Adele, was an equally impressive winner of the second semi-final as the October 2015 daughter of Tullymurry Act and Skate On, also from the same batch as multiple big-race winner King Elvis, grabbed fast-starting Knockard Spring (Kevin Boon) on the dash to the bend to go on and win by one and a half lengths in 17.79sec.

The third semi went to the Paul Dale-trained Bar The Warrior who came through a terrific buckle with favourite and early leader Toolmaker Rambo (Paul Young) to win by three-quarters of a length in 17.86sec, the pair taking the final two qualifying spots for the Category Two prize which forms the centrepiece of a pre-Xmas open-race card at Colwick Park next week.

Draw for Monday’s National Sprint Final: 1 Hiya Butt, 2 Bar The Warrior, 3 Knockard Spring, 4 Toolmaker Rambo, 5 Trapstyle, Jet, 6 Queen Anna (m).