FREEDOM ALIBI edged out Innfield Trojan for a thrilling and memorable 1-2 for trainer Tom Heilbron in Tuesday’s ARC Northern Puppy Derby Final at Newcastle.

Less than three months after Storm Arwen ripped through his Link Kennels at Trimdon, Co. Durham, leaving kennel blocks without a roof and upwards of 40 greyhounds needing to be rehoused, young trainer Heilbron landed another GBGB Category One title after a sensational effort from his pair of youngsters at the Byker venue.

With hot favourite Havana Bale Out (Liz McNair) missing the break, then bumped and forced wide at the first bend, it was left to Innfield Trojan to lead up inside from Freedom Alibi, after which the Heilbron pair had the race between them with the latter finishing the stronger to collar his kennelmate on the line to grab the £10,000 prize by a short-head.

Blackhouse Harry (Stuart Ray), himself badly bumped at the first bend, crossed the line in third to make it a 1-2-3 for locally-trained handlers in the Newcastle showpiece. The winning time for the 480m was 28.62sec (-10).

An April 20 son of Confident Rankin and Freedom Dream, Freedom Alibi is owned by Mark Dobson, Paul Lowden and Dane Tallen and was winning for the fourth time in 16 races. Unraced in Ireland, he made his debut at Newcastle in September and lined up as the most experienced finalist, with victories on home soil and at Sheffield. He also reached the second round of the Puppy Derby at Towcester.

A delighted trainer Heilbron, reflecting on last year’s events and the efforts taken to get to this point, said after the final: “It’s very hard to put into words just how much tonight means to me and the whole team at the kennels. What we went through in December with the storm ripping the kennel apart was horrendous and, at points, I really couldn’t see a way back.

“However, the efforts of the greyhound fraternity to assist in getting us back up and running, along with the support of our owners and my brilliant kennelstaff, has been unbelievable and I’d like to think the performance in the final from our pair gave them all something to cheer about!

“I can’t thank Mark, Paul and Dane who own Freedom Alibi enough. They were at the kennels weekly after the storm hit and I’d like to think the victory is our way of showing them how much I really appreciate them and their support.

“Alibi’s a terrific dog with a huge heart – to pick Trojan up on the line was some run. I said all along if Innfield Trojan led he would put in a big run. I part-own him with my dad (Kevin) and John Jefferson. Understandably they’d have loved him to have kept his head in front but were gracious in defeat. He’s a dog with a big future.

“It’s just Alibi doesn’t know when he’s beat. To think he didn’t actually lead at any time in the entire competition, save for two strides, is testament to the quality of the competition -but luckily for us it was the two strides going over the line in the final!

“He’s booked to trial at Monmore next week for a potential tilt at the Puppy Derby there, with one eye on the Juvenile at Towcester.

“Again it’s very hard to put into words what this means to me. I can’t thank everyone enough for their support through what’s been a really tough time. However, greyhound racing has a strange way of setting you up for magical moments and this one will live long in the memory.”

Result: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=382105&raceId=815109