JONATHAN HOBBS: Newcastle stages the semi-finals of the Arena Racing Company Northern Flat tonight and the clash between fastest heat winner Jaguar Macie and comeback kid Ice On Fire promises to be a cracker.

NEWCASTLE stages the semi-finals of the Arena Racing Company Northern Flat tonight and the clash between fastest heat winner Jaguar Macie and comeback kid Ice On Fire promises to be a cracker.

Both were exceptional last week and will no doubt be supported to follow up – but might there be a shock? Either way one of their rivals tonight certainly looks overpriced and should be included in calculations.

Newcastle stages the heats of other competitions, which also builds up to next week’s gala card. All the action will be on Sky Sports Racing.

So here goes . . .

Newcastle Wednesday

6.36: The first semi-final of the Arc Northern Flat and Frankies Jet can follow up his flawless heat effort for Gary Ferguson. Well backed then, another lead looks on the cards with Nadurra Dutch heading inwards early doors so clearing the way for the black jacket.

Play: Frankies Jet

7.09: The second Northern Flat semi and Ice On Fire v Jaguar Macie looks set to be a TV treat – but don’t rule out King Bruno. Liz McNair’s dog ran a stormer against Ice On Fire last week and a flashy exit from trap four could push them all for the lead. At a price . . .

Play: King Bruno

7.26: Heat one of a sprint event. Freedom Reporter has been running well over four bends but will likely heads inward. That clears the way potentially for the likes of Colliery Billy and Matts Malibu – and the latter can shine for Ben Reynolds. He boasts a superb strike-rate.

Play: Matts Malibu

7.41: The third Northern Flat semi and well-drawn Havana Class is tough to look beyond. The draw is a cracker for the McNair dog who paces up well and can escape the pack and timewise has the edge. Glenlara Mac has scope on last week’s effort behind Ice On Fire.

Play: Havana Class

7.58: Heat two of the sprint event. Coolavanny Galiv looks a local hope with real scope. Trials have been decent and Angela Harrison’s dog ran well on his UK debut over C&D last month – a subsequent 16.80sec trial also catches the eye.

Play: Coolavanny Galiv

8.12: The third and final sprint heat and Geelo Gold Dust makes his debut for Sheffield trainer Sean Davy. Her prep trial was top notch and improvement is likely and she’s a classy sort at best with all-round speed expected over this 290m trip.

Play: Geelo Gold Dust

8.27: Heat one of a dual distance event with heats over 480m and the final over 640m next week. Cold As Ice lacks the early toe of these but his 28.47sec trial shows what he’s all about and his all-round speed takes some holding before next week’s six-bend return.

Play: Cold As Ice

8.46: Heat two of the dual distance where the way is clear for Coolavanny Bani to unleash her all-round speed. Angela Harrison’s bitch has been mainly campaigned over the longer trip of late but was a powerful sort of four bends. A vacant trap inside helps here.

Play: Coolavanny Bani

9.01: Similar to Coolavanny Bani, kennelmate Velvet Juliet has been running over further but retains plenty of speed for four-bend tests and, a good trapper, might soon be handy into the turn and could take some holding to complete a good night for the Harrison camp.

Play: Velvet Juliet

Good luck all.

@Hobbsy67