JONATHAN HOBBS: Another great night’s racing in the North East tonight as Newcastle stages a mighty double-header with the finals of The Alconex Northern Puppy Derby and O’Toole’s Gym Byker Laurels – well done to the sponsors of both fantastic competitions.
Ice On Fire runs in the Category Two Laurels final, but is very much the star of the show and a hot favourite to add anther title to his impressive tally in 2019 – a haul which makes him a serIous Greyhound of the Year contender.
Jimmy Fenwick’s dog has a scintillating burst of pace to the bend and that surely sets up victory tonight – although a classy field still needs beating. It’s testament to his ability he lines up so short in the market to oblige in the £5K final. He’s special.
Ice On Fire remains a precocious talent, but even younger talent is on show tonight with the Category One £8K Northern Puppy Derby decider producing another cracking line-up – with another red-hot favourite in the form of Levante Beach.
Angela Harrison’s dog will also take the world of beating if able to unleash that superb burst of early pace which sealed the deal in heats and semi-final. A favourites’ double looks on the cards – but there are some bigger-priced alternatives in these races and on the supporting card . . .
Newcastle
6.39: Tasty Treat will be a warm order here given his performance in the Trafalgar Cup (third to Droopys Addition) and the heats of the Northern Puppy Derby here. However he looks plenty short enough here and can be taken on – maybe with Jaguar Nidge. Graham Rankin’s youngster is green, needs further but has something about him!
Play: Jaguar Nidge
7.09: Great to see leading sprinter Droopys Reel on the card. She was unlucky not to take her chance in the National Sprint at Nottingham after missing the heats through horrendous traffic, but take Angela Harrison’s bitch to get back on track. It looks a straightforward forecast with Coal Butler set to chase her home.
Play: Droopys Reel/Coal Butler forecast
7.57: Time for The Alconex Northern Puppy Derby Final and Angela Harrison’s Levante Beach is tough to oppose in his current mood – and especially from this make-up. His early pace takes him clear, especially if Look Like Power cuts across Fight The Power early. However, take the latter to finish fast – he could represent value. He’s a real talent, too.
Plays: Levante Beach, Fight The Power
8.13: Freedom Lord could be one of the best drawn greyhounds of the night and can strike for Gary Carmichael. He ran well behind Ice On Fire in the heats of the Laurels last week and looks better drawn here, ready to pace up into contention. Zeno will finish fast.
Play: Freedom Lord
8.59: The O’Toole’s Gym Byker Laurels Final could witness another exhibition performance from Ice On Fire, who has established himself one of the sport’s major stars. He should make all, although Bower Luke next door will keep him up to his work. Perhaps Forest Jason is worth a saver – Julie Bateson’s runner ran a solid race in the heats.
Plays: Ice On Fire, Forest Jason
9.14: Jimmy Fenwick could be looking to complete a fantastic night when he sends out Lemon Ronald in the final. This strong-running sort rarely runs a bad race and could be well placed here to shine if Bramble Reggie, Ballymartin Hero and Jaguar Jack jostle for the lead and crowd up.
Play: Lemon Ronald
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