NEWCASTLE stages the Arena Racing Company Northern Puppy Derby Final on Wednesday with just a half a length separating this week’s three semi-finals winners.

Joint-fastest were Jaguar Macie and Bockos Melody with 28.71sec returns for the 480m trip, with Rockmount Dizzee just three spots slower with a 28.74sec victory. It sets up a hugely competitive £6,500-to-the-winner decider next week.

Rockmount Dizzee was first up as Andrew Wood’s dog paced up outside in the opening semi-final and was never headed, crossing the line three and three-quarter lengths in front to secure his place in the final of an event his trainer won with Droopys Trawler in 2018.

The race for the qualifying position was tight here, with local star Bramble Ontheup bumped out of contention early but staying on strongly, with the Steve Anderson-trained runner reeling in trackmate Long Vehicle (Jimmy Fenwick) for second close home.

Jaguar Macie continued her winning run in the second semi-final, although it was hardly straightforward for Graham Rankin’s youngster before she racked up a sixth win in her last seven starts – including success in the Ladbrokes Puppy Derby.

Well away and pacing up into the turn, Rankin’s star was joined at the turn by Brightside Nick (Nathan Hunt) and a coming together saw both hampered. However, the favourite came off better and took a narrow advantage into the back-straight.

It was race-on now and Dannid emerged as the real threat off the second bend, with Matt Dartnall’s runner staying on strongly to get within a neck of the winner, the pair clear of third-placed Lightfoot Gigi (Jimmy Fenwick) who also stayed on after early crowding.

Jaguar Macie’s winning time (28.71sec) was matched by Bockos Melody in the third semi and Patrick Janssens’ Towcester Puppy Derby runner-up roared into another major final with a powerful effort before justifying favouritism.

Garys Diamond (Stuart Tighe) set the early tempo here and held the advantage into the third turn where Bockos Melody, who had missed the break, recovered to produce a powerful surge to take up the running and quickly burst clear.

Cold As Ice (Jimmy Fenwick) was also making ground into the third bend but was forced to check, losing all chance, and Garys Diamond regained momentum and chased home the winner, finishing two and a half lengths behind at the line.

Commenting for Sky Sports Racing on the night was Mark Cranston, who is looking forward to a high-quality final next week.

“I’d say it’s one of the best we’ve staged here at Brough Park,” he said. “And when you think just three spots separated all three winners, it’s going to be a tight race to call.

“The Northern Puppy Derby Final is always one Newcastle’s highlights of the GBGB Calendar and is the first under Arena Racing Company sponsorship and we’ve got a cracker for it – it’s far from easy to find the winner!

“Jaguar Macie is many people’s favourite for the victory and it’s not hard not to disagree with them considering she was still joint-fastest despite suffering interference in the race. But she’s unlikely to find it plain sailing again in the final.

“You’ve got the likes of Dannid, who came close to catching Jaguar Macie in their semi-final, plus Rockmount Dizzee who is loving his racing on Tyneside at the present moment. He has brilliant early pace and will be aiming to use that weapon in the final.

“He could be the one who’s over-priced. His trainer Andrew Wood has won the competition before, although a foot-perfect Jaguar Macie will still be tough to beat.

“Once again the action can be seen on Sky Sports Racing next week and I’m looking forward to Darrell Williams again for finals night.

“The feedback has been positive for both of us. Having a familiar face in Darrell at the other end of the line as such definitely helps you settle down to what is a new situation for all of us here at Newcastle. An enjoyable one it should be said.

“The Sky Sports Racing team have been great in setting all of the equipment up and we’ve certainly attracted new viewers to the sport. They’ve enjoyed betting on the action and taking a view on the racing.

“We’ve a growing social media interaction, too, and viewers can get involved in tipping challenges and the like.”

Trap draw for Wednesday’s Arena Racing Company Northern Puppy Derby Final: 1 Bramble Ontheup, 2 Jaguar Macie, 3 Garys Diamond, 4 Bockos Melody (m), 5 Dannid (w), 6 Rockmount Dizzee (w).