REIGNING champion Dorotas Wildcat and kennelmate Magical Bale (pictured below) landed Kevin Hutton an impressive double on a high-class night of action as the Star Sports, Arc and LPS Greyhound Derby reached the quarter-final stage on Saturday.

Magical Bale (29.14sec -30), winner of the Puppy Derby two years ago and runner-up in the Irish Derby when transferred to the kennels of his breeder Patrick Guilfoyle for last year’s Shelbourne Classic, was quickest as he made all in superb style to lead home Droopys Expert (Angela Harrison) and Ballymac Tas (Liam Dowling) in the second quarter-final.

Some 20 minutes later Dorotas Wildcat (29.38sec -30) shot clear on the approach to the bend to put to bed the fourth quarter-final as he crossed the line ahead of Jaytee Taylor (Paul Hennessy), with track record-holder Skywalker Logan (Patrick Guilfoyle) edging Lemon Ronald (Jimmy Fenwick) for the third qualifying place.

Winning trainer Hutton, speaking after success for both Dorotas Wildcat and Magical Bale, said: “I couldn’t be happier with the way they’re both progressing. The plan – and the hope – was for them to keep coming forward. Neither had straightforward preparations and it’s a case of so far, so good.

“We’ve got them in the same semi-final. It’s not ideal, but that’s the way it is. We’ve just got to hope both can run their races – we’re going to need some luck for both to reach the final but we’ll give them every chance. To win two quarter-finals was fantastic – I paraded Magical Bale and Donna (Witchells) had the Wildcat. He’s very much hers!”

Jaytee Taylor’s trainer Paul Hennessy matched Hutton’s feat of two semi-finalists as the Irish challenge ramped up a notch with victory for Priceless Blake (pictured below) in the first quarter-final as he led off the second bend to lead home King Sheeran (Liz McNair) and Roxholme Glory (Mark Keightley). The winning time was 29.49sec (-40).

His son Kevin Hennessy, who has been overseeing the challenge from their Gowran, Co. Kilkenny base to Nottingham for each round, said of their two semi-finalists: “I thought Blake drove the first and second bends really well and that’s what he needs to do to get away. Taylor just keeps on coming forward – he’s an absolute professional.”

Biggest cheer of the night came from the performance – and victory – of Queen Beyonce (Liz McNair) who landed the third quarter-final when coming home strongly on the run for home to catch Irish Derby champion Ballyanne Sim (Mark Robinson). She crossed the line a length and a quarter from Clonbrien Prince (Graham Holland) in 29.56sec (-30).

After King Sheeran’s early qualification, the McNairs also have two semi-finalists along with Hutton and Hennessy – and Rab McNair was delighted afterwards, especially with Queen Beyonce (pictured below, T2): “She’s just the best and to back-run top-class dogs like she has was just brilliant. And Sheeran coming back from the injury he has – superb!

“We’ve a brother and sister in the semi-finals and I’m delighted for the ‘KSS’ boys – Brendan (Keogh) and Simon (Senyk). We might do the work, but those guys give us the opportunity to breed these champions, to rear them, to race them – and spoil them! It’s certainly working and we’re all excited and enjoying the ride.”

Saturday’s semi-finals: www.bagsracing.com/assets/22-june—nottingahm-adv.pdf

Star Sports, ARC and LPS Greyhound Derby dates:-

Semi-finals: Saturday, June 22

Final: Saturday, June 29

Further info: www.nottinghamdogs.com