Evanta Fantasy led the 4-5 favourite to the turn but Owen McKenna’s runner managed to get round her with brilliant bend running and went clear of the wide running Clares Wonder down the far side.
Farloe Blitz started to get tired off the final turn and it was Millward Davy who headed the chasing group and he closed all the way to the line to keep the margin to a length behind the 28.32sec winner.
Diego Flight came late to finish a further short head behind and deny Graham Holland’s Clares Wonder by another short head.
Winning trainer: Owen McKenna said afterwards: “He had to battle hard to get round Mark’s bitch Evanta Fantasy and showed he can do it from behind. It’s great to get through to the semi-finals and he would be a better for a week off it he can get through to the final.
“Winning tonight was also a great birthday present for owner Paul Ellis.”
Hills make him 6-4 favourite outright.
There was a real head bobber to the second quarter final, which went to track record holder Eden The Kid.
Arc runner-up Evanta Evita led to the second bend but was passed by Rio Quattro. Eden The Kid came from fourth dog to get into contention and came to join the leader on the run for home and got up in the very last stride to score by a short head in 28.24sec. Diane Henry’s Making Paper stayed on well for third.
Winning owner Brendan Keogh said: “For a young dog to come from behind class dogs like that was brilliant.
Assistant trainer Rab McNair said: “It’s great to get two through the semi-final; roll on Saturday.”
Eden The Kid is 9-2 and Rio Quattto is 6-1.
National Sprint winner Geelo Vegas lasted home to land the third quarter final.
Carl Perry’s runner flew out of the boxes and was two lengths clear round the first turn.
Gaytime Hawk looked like picking him up but checked up behind the leader at the last turn and Viking Jack and Romholme Ted forced their way into a four way blanket finish.
Geelo Vegas held on to win by a head from Viking Jack with Roxholme Ted a further head behind in third, denying Jaytee Jet a qualifying spot.
Perry said afterwards: “I was praying for third off the last turn and he’s found a little bit more.
“He’s starting to trap and has an extra day off before the semi-finals, which will help.”
Ireland got three qualifiers through from the fourth quarter final when 5-2 shot Paradise Maverik stormed home.
Pat Buckley’s Lenson Sanchez was the hot favourite but didn’t get his own way in the early stages as the pace was cut out by Tywald Bush who went clear.
However Irish Cesarewitch winner Paradise Maverik, third at halfway, came flying through to lead close home and score by a length and a quarter in 28.28sec. Lenson Sanchez was third half a length away.
Buckley said afterwards: “Paradise Maverik is getting better with each round and ran brilliantly tonight. He loves the inside. Lenson Sanchez is always capable of doing a good run and getting two through is a dream come true.”
Semi-final draw and sponsors betting:
1 Rio Quattro 8
2 Farloe Blitz 6-4
3 Eden The Kid (m) 9-2
4 Geelo Vegas (m) 20
5 Diego Flight (w) 50
6 Roxholme Ted (w) 25
1 Paradise Maverik 6
2 Making Paper (m) 50
3 Millwards Davy (m) 33
4 Lenson Sanchez (m) 6
5 Tynwald Bish (w) 14
6 Viking Jack (w) 14
Yassoo Martin was an impressive winner of the William Hill Bet on the Move Puppy Stakes over 480 metres.
George Ardreas’ runner flew out, while the favourite Rio San Marino found plenty of trouble on the run-up before moving into second on the back straight.
However Yassoo Martin was not for catching and he went on to score by three lengths in 28.33sec.
Andreas said afterwards: “He started his career in the Derby and has won three on the spin now. He could be anything. We’ll bring him for the Puppy race on finals night.”
Droopys Cottage (4-6) overcame plenty of trouble to win the William Hill Home of Betting 687 Stayers Stakes.
Teejayspowerhawk took the lead off Woodbrook Golden at the third turn and looked set for victory but Dean Childs’ bitch came with storming late run to get up on the line and score by a short head in 41.86sec.
Carly Philpott, assistant trainer to Childs said: “I thought she was beaten when checking off at the first bend but she battled on well. We’ll bring her back to Wimbledon for the Dorando Marathon over 894 metres.”
See No Gamble (9-2) landed a top class William Hill On Your Mobile Standard over 480 metres.
Patrick Janssens’ dog made the first turn in front of Sparta Flame, Jaytee China and Ballymac Brogan and went clear. His stride started to shorten on the run for home but he held Juvenile winner Ballymac Brogan by a neck in 28.55sec.
Droopys Tamera (12-1) was a very impressive winner of the William Hill Hotbox Bet Marathon over 894 metres.
Dean Childs’ runner was led up by Fizzypop Magic and King Kane but she swept past on the third turn and came home seven and a half lengths clear of King Kane in 55.62sec.
A kennel spokesman said: “She was disappointing at Romford last week, which probably explains her big price but we always thought she would stay and she did it well.”
