Young's Buddy sets semi-final standard in SIS Sprint at Harlow

LESLEYS BUDDY was fastest in the semi-finals of the SIS Sprint over 238m at Harlow as Paul Young's dog came home a convincing winner of the third.

He disputed the lead early with fast-trapping Mahoonagh Hoffa before asserting at the first bend where favourite Nightingale Crew followed him through but lost momentum by moving off.

The leader needed no second invitation and went clear as he eventually scored by six lengths from Nightingale Crew in 15.01sec (normal), the runner-up only just holding Venetian Ricky for the second qualifying position.

First round fastest Headford Sarah took the opening semi for Maxine Locke in 15.13sec, with Nathan Hunt's Bretons Girl proving market unease to be wide of the mark when landing the second in 15.28sec.

Monday's £7,500 Category One SIS Sprint final

HARLOW also had the final of a Maiden Monkey competition over 415m in which Alien Tiger (5/6F) and Swift Opel (evens) dominated the market.

Swift Opel pinged the lids but Alien Tiger showed excellent early pace to get inside him at the first bend and took a lead he was never to lose.

At the line, Gemma Evans' charge was just over a length the good of his chief rival in posting 26.72sec (normal) with strong-finishing Hollywell Orchid a neck away in third.

The winner is owned by Steve Artiss, Poppy Evans, Richard O'Dwyer and Mitchell Silver who also own the trainer's recent Doncaster Puppy Derby winner Cluain Denis.