BERNARD roared into this weekend’s final of the 75th British Bred Two-Year-Old Produce Stakes at Swindon with a fastest semi-final victory on Sunday to complete a superb weekend for owner Gilbert Anderson.

Trained by James Gaskin, the May 2019 son of Droopys Jet and Forest Natalee – a half brother of Select Stakes champion Signet Ace – made all the running in the third semi-final of the British-bred annual to lead home Pocket Lola (Seamus Cahill) by one a three-quarter lengths and clock 28.31sec (normal) for the 476m trip.

It means owner Anderson will be represented in major finals across both sides of the Irish Sea this weekend given Bernard lines up at Swindon on Sunday and 24 hours before his Singalong Sally, trained by Pat Buckley, goes for BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby glory at Shelbourne Park, Dublin.

The Seamus Cahill-trained Sharp Biddy (Forest Con-Ballinakil Biddy, May 19) caused a 33-1 shock in the first semi when edging out Shockwave Onyx (Kim Gooding) in a thriller, the Hove raider crossing the line a short-head in front in 28.48sec.

The winner’s kennelmate Surprising (8-11F) missed out here but the Cahill camp still have two finalists on Sunday given Sharp Biddy will be joined by Pocket Lola in the £13,000-to-the-winner decider.

The second semi-final went to the Frank Bryce-trained Baggios Champ as the November 2019 son of Kinloch Brae and Samiya – a half brother of the likes of Da Head Hunter, Bandicoot Sammy and Duke De Janerio – finished best to lead on the run for home to stop the clock in 28.59sec. Leonidas (Susan Newberry) qualified in second here.

Liz Mort, chair of the British Greyhound Breeders Forum, said: “We saw three very good semi-finals on Sunday. There were a few surprises, but there were good dogs in all three races and, from a British breeding perspective, we couldn’t be happier.

“We have five breeders and five trainers involved so congratulations to everyone who qualified – well done to Seamus Cahill with his duo in the decider – and we’re set for an exciting final next Sunday.

“I’d say the greyhound which that took my eye most was Bernard, who has really upped his game. I saw him win at Doncaster on our British Bred Oaks final night and was impressed with him then. Being a true wide runner can have its advantages.

“Can I also say fair play to Josh Sealey, who does so much positive work for Swindon. I read here last week his confidence that things would come right for Baggios Champ after just scraping through it seemed from the first two rounds.

“Josh was absolutely right, Baggios Champ really has come to the party now and must have a good chance in Sunday’s final.”

Trap draw for Sunday’s 75th British Bred Two-Year-Old Produce Stakes Final: 1 Sharp Biddy, 2 Shockwave Onyx, 3 Baggios Champ (m), 4 Pocket Lola (m), 5 Leonidas (m), 6 Bernard (w).

 

Details of Sunday’s 75th British Bred Two-Year-Old Produce Stakes finalists:

1 Sharp Biddy. Bred and trained by Seamus Cahill. Owned by the Sharp Lads Syndicate.

2 Shockwave Onyx. Bred and trained by Kim Gooding. Part-owned by Kim with Dan Wiepen.

3 Baggios Champ. Trained by Frank Bryce. Part-owned and bred by Frank and Daniel Bryce.

4 Leonidas. Bred and owned by Mick Giles. Trained by Susan Newberry.

5 Bernard. Bred by Kevin Hutton. Owned by Gilbert Anderson and trained by James Gaskin.

6 Pocket Lola. Bred and trained by Seamus Cahill. Owned by The Magnificent Five syndicate.