DONATION was the fastest semi-final winner of The Lowther Stakes at Nottingham on Monday as the field for next week’s £10,000 final – sponsored by greyhound owner Mark Lowther’s MSCM Ltd. company – came together at the Colwick Park venue.

The Heather Dimmock-trained bitch, last year’s Yorkshire Oaks winner as well as this year finishing third in the Grand Prix at Sunderland and second in the Angel of the North Oaks at Newcastle, ran strongly throughout the 480m trip to reel-in longtime leader Move Over Evie.

Angela Harrison’s bitch, just behind Donation in the Newcastle decider won by Geelo Blissful, showed good speed to catch fast-starting Oaks champion Wuheida and lead off the second bend, and led to the run-in before being caught by the 28.63sec (+30) winner.

Queen Adele (John Lambe) kept on well to grab the qualifying spot here, making it a good night for the Perry Barr handler, whose Affane Party won his Yarmouth Derby heat.

Winning trainer Dimmock said: “We delighted with her. She’s been running well having not been out the first three since June, and now lines up in another cracking final. It’s a great line-up, with some quality bitches in the race.”

Looking ahead to the final, Dimmock added: “The draw’s worked out well with her getting trap six – especially if Naughty Molly edges across as she’s tended to do. There could be some inside crowding and ours will certainly take her chance round the outside.

“Fingers crossed for a good run on Monday, after which The Steel City Cup is probably her next target – Sheffield is another track she clearly likes.”

The aforementioned Naughty Molly romped home in the second semi-final, as Kevin Hutton’s in-form and improving bitch led home Bull Run Button (Barrie Draper) and the staying-on local Tractor Skinner (Terry Munslow) in 28.82sec (+30). The winning distances were two and a quarter lengths and a head.

Hutton said of the recent Henlow Maiden Summer Cup winner: “She’s a cracking bitch, with just seven races on her career card – five here and two in Ireland. We’re absolutely thrilled to line-up in a major final so quickly with her, especially following on from Henlow.

“She’s still learning but has huge potential. It’s a high-class final, so it’s a big ask for us to win it at such an early stage in her career, but she’s very exciting and a real boost to the kennel. We’re settling in well at Monmore and nights like Monday give you plenty to look forward to.”

Trap draw and form for Monday’s final: www.bagsracing.com/assets/10-september—nottingham-adv.pdf