JOHN MULLINS, who boasts a cracking record in the event, was at the double as the 2018 British Breeders Stakes reached the semi-final stage at Nottingham on Monday.

Winner of the British-bred showpiece two years ago with Badabing, later to be crowned GBGB British Bred Greyhound of the Year for 2016, Suffolk-based Mullins sent out Romeo Desperado to finish second last year behind Candlelight Fire.

On Monday Romeo Mandate (30.08sec +20) and Carn Brea (29.93sec +20) landed Mullins the second and third semi-finals respectively, both producing strong-running efforts to land the spoils and give the trainer two chances in next week’s £10,000-to-the-winner final.

Mullins said: “They’re two cracking dogs, and have been great for the kennel for a long while now. I actually thought they ran well in the heats, and both broke well in their races on Monday – that always gives you a chance, especially for this pair.

“They’re both strong and you need to get home at Nottingham, and they do. It’d be great to win it again, and I’d love either of them to win for Dave (Firmager, owner/breeder Romeo Mandate) or Alan and Tony Newitt (owners, Carn Brea).”

Mullins also paid tribute to late trainer John Honeysett, who died last week, aged 80.

“John was very much part of the old school, and always a great dog man,” he said. “I remember him mainly from the Wembley days when he trained for some big owners. He was very successful at what he did, and had finalists in some of the great Derbys.

“He had Stouke Whisper in two finals – one in that great 1988 final won by Hit The Lid – but I remember dogs like Guiding Hope and Early Vocation too. My dad (Pat) was actually in the Trainers’ Championship meeting he won at Crayford in 1979.

“My brother David worked for John for a spell, too,” added Mullins. “I think John achieved most things in the game and, of course, my best wishes go to his family.”

Qualifying behind Mullins’ Romeo Mandate and Carn Brea were, respectively, Paul Young’s Bubbly Majestic, who ran on well to be beaten by a neck, and King Diamond, the youngster coming though after Raise The Stakes checked away his chance at the fourth bend.

Angie Kibble landed the first semi-final with Let Me Tell You as last year’s semi-finalist passed a stricken King Sheeran off the second bend, Liz McNair’s runner suffering a hock injury. The winner went on to win from Down To The Felt in 30.11sec (+20).

Trap draw for Monday’s British Breeders Stakes Final: 1 Bubbly Majestic, 2 Carn Brea, 3 Let Me Tell You, 4 Romeo Mandate, 5 King Diamond (m), 6 Down To The Felt (w).