MONMORE deputy racing manager Jake Pain is looking forward to Saturday’s semi-finals of the Ladbrokes Puppy Derby after the weekend’s heats produced the usual set of high-class efforts and fast times – not least from Romford raider Underground Gold who set the standard in the very first heat and is red-hot favourite for outright honours.

Wrapping up the heats and with an eye on the weekend’s semis, Pain said: “I think you have to start with how impressive Underground Gold was. He won in great style and broke the 28-second barrier.

“Paul’s (Young) dog is definitely the one they have to beat after the first round. He also looks like he could handle any draw.

“Maxine Locke did really well with three heat winners and, of those, I’d say Droopys Script was the one to impress most. He slightly missed the break and had some crowding at the start, but showed good pace to get in front at the third bend and could especially improve moving forward.

“Finally it was terrific to see Monmore trainer Richie Taberner winning two heats at 16-1 and 33-1, especially satisfying given they were two brothers, Holding Aero and Holding Blaze. That said both do look like they’ll have to improve on the clock to reach the final.”

As mentioned, Underground Gold kicked off the £20,000 Category One with success in heat one as Paul Young’s Romford raider scooted clear from lid-rise and never looked in trouble as he crossed the line four and a quarter lengths clear of Ballymac Service (Jimmy Fenwick) in a super-slick 27.79sec (+20).

Maxine Locke then weighed in with the first of a trio of heat winners with Droopys Sturdy finishing best to edge Aayamza Shazza (John Mullins) in 28.38sec (+20) in heat two before kennelmates Droopys Script (28.21sec +20) and Droopys Vicar (28.23sec +20) struck in heats three and five respectively, the former producing a strong-running display to catch Gothic Abbess (Michelle Brown) and the latter impressing off the front to lead home Bowmers Buddy (Paul Young).

Monmore trainer Richie Taberner was delighted to see litter brothers Holding Aero and Holding Blaze strike gold in heats four and six respectively.

The former led off the second bend for a two and a half lengths win over Newinn Jolly (Kim Billingham-Hine) in 28.46sec (+20) and the latter swooping close home to catch longtime leader Aero Thunder for a one-two for the local handler in 28.60sec (+20).