Havana Lover reinforced her position in the Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger with the first sub 43.00 in 51 weeks after giving a start and beating to Savana Ruinart.
However, the margin between the two closed significantly from the first round with Diane Henry’s runner finding almost five lengths on calculated times. The Yorkshire based trained will be doubly represented in the final following another sensational comeback run from Savana Volcano.
The only survivor from last year’s final, the veteran marathon performer was actually one spot quicker than her kennelmate, having found 20 spots herself when short heading Cochise.
The third qualifier kept the Dartnall kennel hopes alive of back-to-back Leger wins. Despite being the confirmed understudy to the brilliant Space Jet, Droopys Jungle (who finished a place in front of Volcano in the Dorando Marathon), snatched the third qualifer from Chelms Cub.
It will be a third Cat One final of the year for Jason Heath’s runner after reaching the deciders of the Regency and Stayers Classic.
There will be a van load of Rees runners heading up from Surrey with three Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup finalists accompanying Cochise.
The quickest of the trio is Gold Cup Consolation winner Bambis Magic who led home a forecast when beating Juvenile Classic runner-up Drive On Lad by almost four lengths in 28.26.
Winter Derby winner Burnchurch Mick was made to graft to win his qualifier, holding on by just a short head in 28.40.
The fastest and third fastest qualifers both contested the second semi. Gold Cup third Innfield Trojan was a spot quicker at the split and a length faster than Ivanexile when clocking 28.19. But Matt Dartnall and connections of the Juvenile Classic third will be quietly confident with the best pitch in Thursday’s final, drawn alongside five railers.
