WALTHAMSTOW looks set for two thrilling finals on Saturday, following some excellent quality heats of the Menlo Lighting Derby and the Storetodoor Marathon.

Ernest Gaskin's Graphite UK Puppy Derby Winner Cobra Striking looks set for more success on home soil with an impressive display in heat one of the London Derby on Saturday.

Gaskin's raider (pictured with winning connections) showed exactly why he is feared so much in his own back-yard over the 475m trip.

Mark Wallis' Roswell Starship posed a real threat on the night, but Striking came home just under a length clear of the Imperial Kennels star, after stopping the clock in 28.94secs.

Next to book places in the final from heat two were Mick Puzey's Optimistic Berty and Maiden Derby winner Forest Express, with the former coming home first by over two lengths in 29.11secs.

Debbies Choice made sure that it wasn't an all Stow final, with Darren Whitton's Henlow charge edging out Paul Garland's Feora Field by a head in 29.00secs.

Saturday's final draw: 1 Roswell Starship, 2 Feora Field, 3 Forest Express, 4 Debbies Choice, 5 Cobra Striking, 6 Optimistic Berty.

And Gaskin looks to hold the upperhand in the Marathon final as well, with Blackmagic Maisy the most impressive in qualifying. The ante-post favourite for the competition faced a tough examination from VC Marathon victor En It around the first circuit of the 835m trip, but withstood David Mullins' (Romford) charge in heat three after coming home in 53.51secs.

Prior to that rapidly emerging star Ceroc Salsa secured victory in heat one for Max Alden (Peterborough), after seeing off Gary Baggs' Luciesilvas who has been withdrawn from the competition lame.

In heat two Anthony Gifkin's bitch Countrywidecapel recorded the fastest-of-the-night time in 53.32secs, just under two lengths ahead of Nicholas Colton's (Hall Green) Ace Mentor.

Saturday's final draw: 1 En It, 2 Ace Mentor, 3 Countrywidecapel, 4 Blackmagic Maisy, 5 Ceroc Salsa, 6 vacant.

Reflecting on the finals Walthamstow racing manager Chris Page said: "As there were no real upsets in the heats, I'm sure we are in for a couple of thrilling finals on Saturday."

There will also be a full supporting card of open racing on the night."