Vhagar looking to take another stride towards historic title double

Vhagar could move a step closer to her goal of being the first greyhound to win successive Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic titles at Monmore Green on Saturday night.

The Mark Wallis-trained bitch began the defence of her crown in stunning fashion last weekend, being the fastest heat-winner with a flying time of 37.76secs on slow going.

Saturday evening’s semi-finals, the antepost favourite takes on a strong field including Zenith Pasha, who was second favourite before this year's competition began but only got through with a third-place finish in his first-round heat.

It also sees the Ladbrokes Gold Cup semi-finals take place and among those vying for glory is the 2025 champion Headford Dane (Maxine Locke, Central Park).

The three-year-old did well to finish second behind Grouchos Gregor (Kelly Wilton, Notts) but faces a tough test to progress to the final - only two greyhounds advancing from each semi.

Scooby Diamond (Nathan Hunt) and Wicky Ned (James Fenwick) were both victorious last weekend and will fancy their chances of making the £10,000 showpiece race.

Lots of eyes will rightly be on Vhagar in the six-bend Summer Stayers (630m) - also worth £10,000 to the victor - given the bitch's superstar status and immense record at Monmore in particular.

She goes into the semi-final having won all of her eight runs over the 630m distance at the Wolverhampton circuit.

Elsewhere in the competition, though, Romeo Empire (Patrick Janssens) was impressive in the first round and faces two other heat winners in Newinn Jolie (Locke) and Fortanach Col (Wilton).

Timmys Hunter did Monmore proud by winning for home trainer Patrick Curtin last weekend and runs from his preferred box, Trap Six in the other semi which also boasts Malcolm Bosh (Angie Kibble).

The first Gold Cup race contains three heat winners in Goldcash Warrior (Hunt), Venetian Nero (John Campbell) and Woltemade (Fenwick).

Named after Newcastle United's big German striker who is not exactly known for his pace, Fenwick's flyer is quite the opposite and was the second-fastest victor last weekend behind kennelmate Wicky Ned.

Antepost Gold Cup favourite Slingshot Poppy (Brian Fairbairn) has work to do in the last Gold Cup semi-final, with the race including Richard Rees (Hove) duo Avarua Zlatan and Crossfield Enzo as well as Monmore's own Magical Keith (Gary Griffiths).

Monmore also pays tribute to former trainer Peter Billingham with the annual Peter Billingham Memorial Trophy (480m Puppy) which begins this evening alongside the Wednesbury Garden Services Sprint Trophy (264m). The Category Three events are each worth £1,500 to the winner.