ROXHOLME SHEIKH posted a fastest-of-the-night 28.21sec (normal) for Perry Barr’s 480m trip as the Birmingham track returned one of the great races to the GBGB Calendar on Thursday with the heats of the Arena Racing Company Laurels.

Perry Barr racing manager Martin Seal said: “Firstly, as a track, we are very pleased to be awarded the Arc Laurels. It’s a competition with a great history and hopefully Perry Barr will do it justice both in 2021 and in the years to come.

“We were delighted with the overall entry with a lot of quality hounds from all over lining up to do battle in search of Category One success and the six first-round heats provided a plethora of exciting racing – as one might expect from dogs of this calibre.

“There is some serious early boot in the competition and, dare I say it, a few six-bend stars of the future as well.

“Roxholme Sheikh was ultra-impressive, carrying on from where he left off in March, and will be a tough nut to crack. Magical Arrow and Coolavanny Kyser showed their undoubted class, whilst dark horse Savana Cody is starting to fulfil his potential.

“A few greyhounds were desperately unlucky in running – Denmark, Jumeirah Sprite and King Louis in particular – and all should be followed in the near future.

“However, there were plenty of cracking efforts from beaten runners as well, with Pacemaker Ted, Westway Blake, Candy Man and Drumcrow Brent all showing great determination in the face of an uphill task.

“We’re looking forward to next Thursday’s semi-finals now. It’s all to play for and the trap draws, particularly those of the remaining rails seeds, is key to the outcome.”

The event kicked off with victory for Magical Arrow in heat one. Kevin Hutton’s dog paced up outside fast-starting Denmark (Tom Heilbron) and, with that rival crowded out, duelled with Ivy Hill Skyhigh (Mark Wallis) for the spoils with the Hutton runner winning by a neck in 28.65sec.

Sparta Master produced a typically powerful effort to run out a 28.54sec winner of heat two. Tasty Treat (Julie Bateson) led for much of the way but Sharon Thompson’s 575m Romford track record holder finished best to win by two lengths and maintain his superb overall open-race record.

The Mark Wallis-trained Coolavanny Kyser, the Blue Riband runner-up and Winter Derby third, launched another big-race campaign with success in heat three. He was always handy before reeling in longtime leader Havana Class (Liz McNair) on the line to win by a short head in 28.75sec.

Roxholme Sheikh made all in heat four to set the standard. His 28.21sec return proved the quickest of the session as he landed a hat-trick after wins at Nottingham and at Perry Barr in a trial stakes when beating Candy Man (Carol Weatherall) by three and a half lengths.

Mark Keightley, husband of winning trainer Hayley, was delighted with the greyhound formerly known as Bright Rory.

He said: “It was a straightforward win for him in many ways – an ABC performance if you like. A solid performance which further confirmed that, if he’s able to keep breaking, he can now hold very good, already proven early paced types to the bend.

“From bends two to three, he’s good but from three-to-four to the winning line he’s one of the best in my opinion! We’re more than hopeful going into the semi-finals and, while I still very much hate losing, if he’s safe and sound at the pick-up and we go again then we’ve won anyway.

“He’s very much in the Hiya Butt mould because you know at anytime he’s got a big performance in him so he’s an ideal competition dog – you keep winning if possible but qualification is key.

“No matter what price he is, or what opposition he faces, his best performance gives him a chance and that’s the most exciting thing with him.”

Lee Field’s Golden Sprint third Adeles Duke continued his fine run when almost making all in heat five, riding a bump at the bend before going on and holding the finish of Ardralla Jim (Tom Heilbron) by half a length in 29.07sec.

The sixth and final heat went to Diane Henry’s Savana Cody, who led off the second bend before crossing the line a length in front of Drumcrow Brent (Mark Wallis) in 28.58sec.

Form for Thursday’s semi-finals: https://www.bagsracing.com/assets/15-april—perry-barr-adv.pdf