UNTOLD DOLLAR heads into Saturday’s final of the Premier Greyhound Racing Puppy Derby at Monmore as the fastest semi-final winner after a runaway victory in the second semi-final of the £20,000 event.

Having just his second UK start, the August 2022 son of Newinn Taylor and Glenegat Mildred headed his field at the bend and raced away for a comfortable victory, crossing the line seven and three-quarter lengths clear of Getup Me Champ (Belinda Green), who just held the finish of Bramble Tango (Steve Anderson) by a short-head for a place in the Category One decider. The winning time was 28.27sec (normal).

Omuircheartaigh maintained his unbeaten record in the competition with another impressive effort in the first semi-final as the Tom Heilbron-trained April 2022 son of Broadstrand Bono and Lemon Ariana came through an early test to prevail.

Out-trapped by Clona Kody (Richard Rees) next door, he paced up well to take up the running off the second bend as his rivals crowded inside and escaped the pack before going on to score by two lengths from Droopys Eunice (Maxine Locke) in 28.41sec (normal) – the latter cutting off the run of Icemans Girl (Nathan Hunt) approaching the last bend to claim her place in the decider.

Barntick Bear struck for Patrick Janssens in the third semi-final with a powerful performance as the heavyweight April 2022 son of Droopys Sydney and Barntick Smokey caught longtime leader Union Rebel (Kevin Hutton) before coming over two and three-quarter lengths clear of the running-on Northern Puppy Derby winner Clona Curly (Diane Henry) in an eye-catching 28.29sec (normal).

Paul Carpenter owns the winner along with great friend Kevin Dear, plus Richard Marling and Graham Carpenter – no relation! – and is looking forward to Saturday’s final of an event he has fond memories of.

He explained: “Kevin and I were looking for a Derby dog and I mentioned this to Patrick (Janssens). He spoke to Graham and Rich who were also looking for a new dog, so it made sense to join forces – and, yes, same surname but just coincidental!

“Anyway a pal of mine in Ireland, Dylan Fitzsimons, had seen a nice dog at Limerick and rang me. He’d won in a good time but it was his split home that was very impressive. I got in touch with his owner Gerry Reidy and we did a deal – with the other lads coming in.

“Bear looks an ideal type for Towcester. I always feel you need to stay if you’re to have any chance of winning at Towcester – and Patrick liked him, which was handy!

“He’s not the greatest trapper and a bit short of early, but powers home. Monmore’s not really his track, it’s more of an out-and-gone track but Patrick said we’d give it a go after he’d run so well winning in good time in his novice race at Towcester. He said it would be good experience for him.

“He’s had just eight races, is therefore lightly raced and still very green and learning, so we’re hopeful he can still improve.

“It’s the best puppy competition and we’re thrilled to have another chance of winning it. Newinn Jacko won it in 2020 for myself, Kevin and Ernie Gaskin, but that was during Covid so we couldn’t go. The much-missed Roman Empire also made a final there for us, so we’ve been lucky enough to have three finalists now.

“Monmore do a great job.”

Form and draw for Saturday’s final of the Premier Greyhound Racing Puppy Derby: https://assets.cj1.in/imminent-otter/production/assets/results/Monmore/form-guides/Saturday-30th-Mar-Advance-Card.pdf