Warrior goes quickest in Arc Puppy Classic semis at Nottingham

Another Annadown family showdown coming up

The September 24, Grangeview Ten X Annadown Cutie litter continue to dominate puppy events in their final month before they are forced into all-aged company, with two of the three semi-final winners in the Arena Racing Company Puppy Classic at Nottingham last night. 

Maxine Locke's Annadown Warrior was the quickest of the three semi-final winners despite a draw right on the rails not absolutely ideal for him. He managed to pace up into the lead at the opening bend and was never going to be for catching from there, stopping the clock at 29.29. Connections will be happy to see he has the four box in the final which should suit better. Lady Gambet qualified alongside him for Craig Morris.

Just three spots slower was litter brother Annadown Shadow for Sean Parker. A 4.96 split quickly saw him in front of his rivals, running riot by six and a half lengths. This will be his third Category One final already in his career, getting his head back in front for the first time since the opening round of the Juvenile Classic in June. Irish raider Magical Marty was best of the rest for Patrick Guilfoyle.

The quickest sectional time in the semis came from Carol Weatherall's Scooby Mustang. Pitched into the heats of the Juvenile Classic at Towcester on his race debut, he was no match for Annadown Warrior on that occasion but has improved plenty since then and will be looking to get around the opening bend in front in the final. Daleroad Magic made it a pair for Guilfoyle in the final behind him.

Locke picked up an earlier winner on the card in a sprint heat with Turnthemagicon. He had to work hard to get his head in front on his first start at the track since December, and is likely to come fully armed with knowledge for the final next Monday. He missed the break yet still stopped the clock in 17.76 which has to be a worry for his rivals. 

The progression of Gallant Star continues rapidly as she picked up a fourth straight win over this track and trip. Philip Short's runner was a Guys & Dolls finalist at Romford and has taken well to this two-bend test. She will be given her toughest task over it next week against Turnthemagicon, but she retains potential for better.

Both heats of a 500m comp went to Peter Holland-trained performers with Tetra Eco the quicker of the pair. He is one of the most consistent A1 performers at the track and showed the best pace to the bend to see off Swift Kipper who is another of the regulars who is hugely consistent in her racing. 

Jet Stream Jane was the other heat winner for Holland. She was far better known as a stayer when trained by Kevin Hutton but she has adapted well back over four bends for her current connections, winning for the third time in her last six starts.