KILARA LION cheered a Patrick Janssens kennel still reeling from the loss of Bockos Doomie with a fastest-of-the-day victory in the first semi-final of the TRC Health + Hygiene Blue Riband (500m) at Towcester on Sunday.

The dual GBGB Category One winner now has his sights on another major victory after making all to claim his place in Saturday’s £7,500 final of the famous Wembley and Hall Green competition, revived by Towcester promoter Kevin Boothby.

Trapping smartly and railing well, the February 2018 son of Droopys Jet and Kilara Lizzie always held sway, eventually crossing the line a half a length in 29.62sec (-10)  from the staying-on Faughan Rebel (Richard Yeates), the pair clear of the remainder.

For winning trainer Janssens, the victory was a high point in a low week for the kennel.

He said: “It’s been tough for us all, but Kilara Lion was great. He’s a great dog, very consistent and doesn’t have to lead to win. He’s improving with every run at Towcester and  looks to have a good draw in the final – a very good final I might add.

“I’d like to say thanks to Kevin Boothby for staging this event and Saturday looks set to be a great afternoon’s racing.”

Newinn Jacko, another two-time Category One winner, struck for Ernie Gaskin in the second semi as he powered down the back to catch leader Great Eastern (Kevin Hutton) at the third bend and score from that rival by three and a half lengths in 29.81sec (-10).

Winner last year of the Monmore Puppy Derby and Hove Olympic, Newinn Jacko also lines up in another top-class final this weekend.

The third semi-final saw better luck for the John Mullins team as Swift Lettuce showed good early pace to lead into the turn and scoot clear thereafter, winning by six lengths from Coolavanny Kyser in 30.10sec (-10).

The April 2018 son of Farloe Blitz and Annie From Cork finished behind kennelmate Romeo Speedy in the voided heat last week. Lots were drawn for places in the semis and, while ‘winner’ Romeo Speedy missed out, Swift Lettuce was in.

“He finished last in the heat, but got back in – and then goes and wins his semi-final, you could hardly make it up,” said Mullins. “I thought Romeo Speedy had been really unlucky, because he won the heat well, but it is what it is. We’ve got a finalist, which is great.”

Saturday’s final forms the centrepiece of an afternoon fixture on Saturday.

Towcester spokesman Nathan Corden said: “We’re delighted with the quality of the final, it really does look top notch – and tops off a great afternoon’s racing.

“We decided to move the meeting to an afternoon slot to maximise the exposure by avoiding the [Ladbrokes] Golden Jacket heats in the morning and then what is likely to be an all-open race card at Monmore with their [Ladbrokes] Winter Derby and Puppy Derby trial stakes plus the Tote Gold Cup meeting from Shelbourne Park.

“The afternoon slot should give open race fans a full day of top quality racing.”

Trap draw for Saturday’s final: 1 Kilara Lion, 2 Coolavanny Kyser, 3 Great Eastern, 4 Swift Lettuce (m), 5 Newinn Jacko (m), 6 Faughan Rebel (w).