LASTFORTHEROAD not only ensured local interest in next Wednesday’s final but posted the fastest semi-final time in the RPGTV 74th East Anglian Greyhound Derby at Yarmouth.

Paul Burr’s runner continued his fine form when breaking smartly in the second semi-final of the £10,000 annual and making all to score by five and three-quarter lengths in 27.38sec, crossing the line clear of Droopys Carat (Angela Harrison).

Winning trainer Burr said: “We had two entries this year in Lastfortheroad and Roxys Teddy and it’s great to be represented in Yarmouth’s big race of the year. It’s what all the trainers aim for here, so we’re delighted to be a part of it.

“To be fair to Roxys Teddy, he didn’t have a lot of luck in the heats but deserved to be in the Yarmouth Derby. The home-bred Eden The Kid and Roxys Lass litter he came from has been brilliant for us – they’ve all won races and a few have made top grade.

“As for Lastfortheroad, he came from Francie Murray’s kennels and has been a good dog right from the start. He won his first race in a sprint open at Hove late last year, has also run well in sprint opens at Romford, and also won A1s here.

“He had a small problem across the summer, but we put it right and he won two A1s on the spin coming into the East Anglian Derby and we always hoped a dog with his sort of early pace might go well in the higher class – and he’s done brilliantly.

“The good news is that he’s fine this morning and, looking to next Wednesday, it’d be great to see him break like he did in the semis and, again Yarmouth being my local track, it’s great to be involved in the final. We’re all looking forward to it.”

Patrick Janssens was on the mark in a thrilling first semi-final as his evergreen Lenson Whelan came home well to edge out Troy Firebird (David Mullins) and longtime leader Droopys Dazzler (Angela Harrison) by a head and short-head in 27.51sec.

The Janssens camp will be doubly represented in Wednesday’s 462m decider after Kilara Lion paced up to turn behind trailblazing third semi-final winner Levante Beach (27.66sec), himself ensuring Newcastle handler Harrison has two chances in the final.

Marcus Westgate, Yarmouth racing manager, said: “It’s shaping up to be another brilliant East Anglian Derby Grand Final – which isn’t a great surprise given we had three superb semi-finals here on Wednesday – especially that first semi.

“It was such a shame for connections that Droopys Dazzler couldn’t hold on, but what a magnificent finish from both Lenson Whelan and Troy Firebird, who’s run really well after a recent spell off and, from an RM’s point of view, it’s great to get a wide seed through!

“The unexpected happened in the second semi, although fantastic for us locals as Lastfortheroad powered out of the boxes and absolutely nothing could stand in his way, recording the fastest time of the night with a 5.29sec split.

“But perhaps we shouldn’t have been surprised, given this was a dog Paul Burr got in November last year who won his final qualifying trial by 9 lengths in 27.57sec! I told Paul he might be tricky grading in A1, so he went open racing and won at Hove first run.

“He eventually came back here and was running well in A1s coming into the Derby, so his wins in the first round and semis have been no fluke really.

“Levante Beach ran a great race in the last semi. He seemed more attuned to the track, and much, much stronger on that long run-in. The class he promised has certainly been fulfilled and certainly sets up an extremely competitive Grand Final.

“Nothing can be discounted. Lastfortheroad is where I’d grade him – trap three is most certainly his box. Levante out of five is by no means a bad thing either, he could have the advantage to the first bend and might actually help him more than the four-box.

“The Janssens pair on the inside are equal breakers in my mind, so if Burr’s charge misses it, it could be the inside trap that has the advantage – and no-one should discount Firebird on the outside either. Early pace coupled with a strong finish means David Mullins’ charge is in with a shot.

“Again, just a massive thanks again to all involved – it’s such an open final, with such great contenders. Wednesday night is certainly one to put in your diary!”

Trap draw for Wednesday’s final: 1 Kilara Lion, 2 Lenson Whelan, 3 Lastfortheroad, 4 Droopys Carat (m), 5 Levante Beach (m), 6 Troy Firebird (w).