JAGUAR MACIE landed her third major title of 2021 as Graham Rankin’s bitch scored a thrilling victory in the Arena Racing Company Angel Of The North Trophy Final at Newcastle on Wednesday – with a performance described by her trainer as the best of her career given a wider draw than ideal.

Already winner of a brace of GBGB Category One events in the ARC Northern Puppy Derby Final, over the same C&D in April, and the Ladbrokes Puppy Derby at Monmore in February, the Scottish-trained runner justified favouritism in the Category Two feature – although at no time was it straightforward.

Only moderately away, Jaguar Macie dived towards the middle from her trap five position but soon paced up into contention. However, crowded off the second bend, the April 2019 daughter of Droopys Jet and Droopys Breeze still had work to do as Angela Harrison’s Coolavanny Bani set the tempo up front.

A superb burst of pace into the third bend then saw Jaguar Macie close on the leader before hitting the front off the last bend. She then maintained the advantage to the line as Coolavanny Aunty, a kennelmate of Coolavanny Bani’s, also made huge gains – but Jaguar Macie crossed the line to win by half a length from Coolavanny Aunty in 28.70sec (normal).

“That’s the best I’ve seen her run,” said a delighted trainer Rankin. “She doesn’t want to be in five. If she’d been in one of two she’d have been threes-on, but it’s her fantastic attitude that’s won her this. It’s why I’ve turned down some big offers for her – because how can you replace her? You can’t.

“That’s three competitions she’s won and you’ve got to have a great will-to-win to do that. Things didn’t work for her at Towcester in the Derby but she wasn’t alone there. It’s a fantastic set-up there but it still feels something of a lottery – you’re never quite sure what’s going to happen, but I’m sure they’ll get to the bottom of it.”

Rankin is now a contract trainer at Monmore and the Wolverhampton track will be the next target for Jaguar Macie with a crack at the Ladbrokes Gold Cup – starts with heats on    Saturday, August 7 – on the agenda followed by a likely tilt at the Select Stakes at Nottingham on Monday, August 30.

“You’d think she’d get in the Select okay given her competition record this year, so there’ll be a trial at Nottingham down the line – but it’s Monmore next for her.

“I’m enjoying being a trainer there and can’t thank Tony Williamson in the Monmore racing office enough for his help. Tony couldn’t have been more helpful when I joined and is a racing manager who’s there for the trainers. He does a fantastic job.”

Tom Heilbron’s runners starred on the supporting Arc Angel Of The North Trophy card with a five-timer.

The local handler struck with Ballymac Lusion (16.88sec +5, 290m), Old Love Tune (17.27sec +5, 290m), Jumeirah Liberty (28.55sec +10, 480m), Longrange Dick (39.19sec normal, 640m) and Freedom Whiskey (16.75sec +5, 290m) – the last victory coming in the Arena Racing Company Geordie Sprint Trophy Final.

Results: www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=375823&raceId=761025