COOLAVANNY MERCY was again narrowly quickest as the semi-finals of the Coral Romford Puppy Cup took centre-stage at Romford on Friday.

The Angela Harrison-trained Newcastle raider was led from the boxes by fast-starting Trident Sydney (David Mullins) but ultimately came through a crunch second semi-final against fellow impressive heat winner Brinkleys Ginger (Patrick Browne) with a show of early pace just shading her rivals at the first bend.

Thereafter, Coolavanny Mercy, a December 2021 daughter of Droopys Sydney and Coolavanny Tutsy, was away and heading for a 12 and a quarter length success over Romeo Crusade (David Mullins) in 23.77sec (+10), the pair securing their places in Friday’s £10,000-to-the-winner decider at the Essex venue.

Joining them from the first semi-final was the runner-up’s litter brother Romeo Cypher and Queen Dusty (Tony Collett) as the February 2022 son of Droopys Sydney and Fabulous Skylar, also trained by local trainer Mullins, followed up his heat success.

Making it two-from-two in his short career, Romeo Cypher posted a fastest 3.74sec sectional on his way to four-length success over Queen Dusty in 23.87sec (+10).

The victory delighted winning trainer Mullins, who will have two chances in Friday’s final to add to his five successes in the famous competition after success for Living Jewel (2003), Vamoose (2004), Tenpin (2020), Brookside Richie (2021) and Romeo Hotshot last year – he now eyes a fourth Puppy Cup win in a row.

“I thought both pups ran really well,” he said. “We managed to have three finalists last year with Hotshot, Mission and Bales Legacy so it’s great to have another two finalists. Finishing first and second with two of Dave Firmager’s last year was fantastic. It’s asking a lot to do it again, but it’s great to be involved.

“Cypher’s done nothing wrong in his two races. He’s paced up well in both races and won off the front, but Crusade also impressed me. He really had to dig deep just to qualify behind Angela and Jimmy’s (Wright) bitch, whose obviously very quick.

“But our two are there on merit and will continue to improve – they only came into us along with the rest of the litter about six or seven weeks ago. As you’d expect from Dave and Nicola they were in fantastic condition and impressed us right from the start.

“In fact, we couldn’t believe the times they were clocking in trials and you’re seeing that with Cypher, especially, when he’s going off the front but Crusade can run, too, and I think both will stay a good four bends in time.“It’s great to have another crack at the Puppy Cup. It’s been good to us over the years and I suppose there’s pressure in trying to keep this run going with the last three wins – but it’s only pressure we put on ourselves to make sure everything’s as right as it can be.

“You always need luck – and that’s no different on Friday. It’s another really good Puppy Cup final.”

Paradise Thunder struck for Hove trainer Jason Heath in the third semi-final, repeating his heat triumph seven days previously in even more impressive style.

The October 2021 son of Ice On Fire and Paradise Asia led on the run to the bend and was never headed thereafter, crossing the line three and a quarter lengths clear of outsider Feora Marie (Katie O’Flaherty) in 23.78sec (+10) for the 400m trip.

Friday’s final will be supported by the finals of the Quicksilver and Mitch Millward Marathon, two GBGB Category Three events.

Trap draw and form for Friday’s finals: https://assets.cj1.in/imminent-otter/production/assets/results/Romford/form-guides/19-FRIDAY-PROOF_2023-09-22-211147.pdf