Puppy Derby runner-up Jaytee Spartacus is fancied to go one better in the £5,000 final of the Lawrence Jones Festival Puppy Stakes over 480 metres at Monmore today writes Jason Craddock.

Paul Young’s runner clocked the fastest time in Mondays qualifiers when scoring by over nine lengths in 27.93sec. He also recorded the quickest split time.

If breaking in the same fashion he will be hard to beat.

Fellow Puppy Derby finalist Ballymac Ramsey looks the main danger. He was only a couple of lengths behind Spartacus on the clock last week and could get first run.

Irish raider Trade Freddie, who won the other heat in 28.33sec on slower ground, is the other big runner, who looks well housed on the outside.

The Festival gets underway with the £5,000 Dogs Final over 480 metres and Ballymac Brogan is given a narrow vote in a quality field.

Seamus Cahill’s Juvenile winner clocked both the fastest split and overall time of 27.81sec and would be hard to pick up if taking an early lead.

Northern Puppy Derby winner Droopys Buick, who won his heat in a slightly slower 27.88sec, has a lot of pace to clear on his inside in the form of Express Master and La Maqina, who won the other heat in 28.14sec.

Buick’s trainer Jimmy Wright is also represented by Maum Legend, who is one of the fastest in training when things go right.

Romany Rouge, who made the final of the Monmore Puppy Derby in the spring, is fancied to land the £5,000 Festival Stayers Final over 684 metres.

Richard Devenish’s runner has won three of his last four races over six bends and went quickest last week with 41.09sec.

Regency finalist Swansalona Diva, who won her heat in 41.24sec has to be a huge threat especially if getting first run on the selection, while Kent St Leger winner Droopys Tamera, who was beaten a length by Romany Rouge, will be finishing strongly.

Track record holder Southfield Jock is the one to beat in the £5,000 Festival 416.

Seamus Cahill’s runner set new figures last week with 24.01sec, which was almost four lengths faster than main danger Boyneside Fun did and over half a second faster than the time recorded by other heat winner Droopys Haiti.