John Smith’s Powerful Lad (Lenson Bolt-Classy Steffi, Sep 13) again demonstrated his outstanding consistency with victory in Nottingham’s £400 sprint final.
The dog with seven wins and four second in his previous 14 races, and on the verge of a four-timer, went to traps as a 7-2 chance with Indodana Wasp seeking a five timer, the evens favourite.
Wasp led up but gave the race away when running off on the second bend. Lad took advantage to squeeze home by a short black and white head in the fastest time of the event, 18.01.
Complete outside Belstone Fox (Hondo Black-Perrys Lace, Sep 13) took the £500 480 metre final for Pam Dolby. The 8-1 chance, without a win in ten, produced the performance of her career to date to beat Holdem Fraser by a length and a half in 29.98.
Meanwhile over six bends, Clever Jamie (Ace Hi Rumble-Athboy Fantasy, Nov 13) recorded the fastest 680 of the year to date with a 41.87 run. The other qualifier in the 12-runner stake went to Go Mel Go in 42.30.
Looking ahead, the Betfred 480m Puppy trophy Final promises to be a tightly run affair. The fastest and slowest qualifiers went in the last heat where Pointless Pearl (Razldazl Greorge-Swift Blitz, May 14) beat Calzaghe O’Toole by two and a quarter in 28.89. The other two semis went to Mays Goldenstream (Crash-Mays Peg, May 14) who beat Calzaghe Balboa by a length and a quarter in 28.93, and Tyrur Feargal (Tyrur Ted-Tyrur Mozzletoff, MAy 14) who beat Jing Jong by half a length in 29.04.
