DUNSTALL PARK is setting the stage for two crackerjack finals on Saturday with both the Arena Racing Company Laurels and Arena Racing Company Dunstall Dash down for decision.

Good Friday’s semi-finals of both events produced some top-notch performances with a re-match between Romeo Steel and Droopys Aladdin very much anticipated in the ARC Laurels after both came through their semis with flying colours, as did Toddys Wolf. All three will take their chance in Saturday’s £12,500 decider.

First up on Friday was Droopys Aladdin as Mike Burton’s July 2023 son of Serene Ace and Droopys Natalia soon dominated on his way to a three-quarters of a length success over keeping-on Romford raider Ballymac Blanco (Maxine Locke), the winner posting 28.22sec (-20) for the 480m trip.

Romeo Steel was just a quarter of a length quicker in the second semi-final time with a 28.20sec success (-20) setting the standard as the August 202 son of Ballymac Cashout and Fabulous Amalfi made all at the expense of Droopys Trade (Craig Morris), coming home two and a half lengths clear at the line.

The final two places in this weekend’s final were taken by Toddys Wolf and No Better Feelin (Esther Driver) as the former, trained out of Newcastle by Tom Heilbron, was soon in the firing line and always held sway despite the runner-up staying on well. The winner crossed the line just a head clear in 28.56sec (-20).

The victory of the December 2023 son of Pestana and Newinn Madam delighted trainer Heilbron, who feels the Ladbrokes Winter Derby finalist is more than capable of holding his own in a star-studded Category One final on Saturday.

“He’s definitely there on merit,” said Heilbron. “He probably needs a ping-break to get himself in a position, especially given he’s probably wider drawn than ideal.

“The draw might work in his favour, though, if he can cut across them. He certainly needs a lead, a decent one maybe, but I thought he battled on well in the semis. He looked in trouble coming round the last bends but is staying on better and we’re chuffed to bits to be in the final.

“He’s got mountains of early pace and, if he can use that on the night, we’ve got a chance.”

Saturday’s gala card at Dunstall Park also includes the Arc Dunstall Dash Final in which the Stuart Tighe-trained Good Acclaim (15.67sec -5) was quickest over the 270m trip in winning the third semi-final on Friday after kennelmate Brickhill Tamika (15.69sec -5) had also won his semi.

The first semi-final was won by Kevin Hutton’s Jazzy George (15.71sec -5) who has subsequently been withdrawn from the Category Two decider.

Trap draw for Saturday’s Arena Racing Company-backed finals at Dunstall Park:-

ARC Laurels: 1 Romeo Steel, 2 No Better Feelin, 3 Droopys Aladdin, 4 Ballymac Blanco, 5 Droopys Trade, 6 Toddys Wolf (m).

ARC Dunstall Dash: 1 Droopys Will, 2 Newinn Souly, 3 Swift Hostile, 4 Brickhill Tamika (m), 5 Good Acclaim (m), 6 Vacant.