ARTHUR NOODLE stormed into the final of the Greyhound Media Group Puppy Classic at Nottingham on Monday – producing a fastest-of-the-night 29.78sec (+30) as the Poole-based runner made all in the first semi-final.

Trained by Patrick Godfrey, the September 2016 daughter of Taylors Sky and Beakstown Dazl led home trackmate Shoot The Bolt for a notable one-two for the Dorset track – a point not lost on the youngster’s handler.

“That’s great for Poole, and I’m sure myself and Paul (Attwater, Shoot The Bolt’s trainer) will have some banter between now and then. We generally sit close by each other at Poole, have a laugh, and enjoy the dogs. Both are in this for fun – and it’s fun right now!”

A winner of seven of her ten starts, Arthur Noodle has already built up an impressive win record at Nottingham and heads into next week’s £6,000-to-the-winner decider as the sole unbeaten runner – and a trap draw Godfrey is more than happy with.

“She’s broken well enough from both three and one, so getting the red is good,” said Godfrey. “She banged out on Monday and that was it. She’s done a nice time, too, although her’s was a clean race really. The other two semis were quite messy, so we can’t read too much into that.

“She just looked great last night, I thought,” he added of Arthur Noodle. “She’s like a musclebound otter at the moment, just sleek and in great heart, so it’s just a case of her ticking over from now to the final and, if she improves again, that’d be great. Either way we know it’s her last puppy race – she’s two at the end of the month.

“For me, well, I’m just loving it. I’ve had many dogs over the years with trainers and always dreamed of getting an open-race win – I never came close! So this is fantastic. We’re in a major final against some great trainers and I’m going to enjoy the week.”

On a tough night for punters, with all three Puppy Classic semi-final favourites beaten, the second semi went to the Nigel Saunders-trained Blue Trooper (30.07sec, +30) as the Belle Vue raider made all to beat Antigua Boss (Matt Dartnall) by one and three-quarter lengths.

There was local success in the third semi as the Peter Harnden-trained Salacres Barley struck for the Nottingham handler, coming through strongly on the run for home to deny the Jamie Kingsley-trained Fizzypop Jet by half a length in 30.41sec (+30).

Nottingham director Nathan Corden congratulated the connections of the six GMG Puppy Classic finalists and is delighted with how this year’s event has unfolded ahead of next week’s gala meeting at the Colwick Park venue.

“The Puppy Classic always delivers a good, quality field and some important pointers towards the open-race scene moving forward, and I’m sure this year’s competition is no different – although there were some hard luck stories, of course, on Monday

“Roxholme Butt and Droopys Trawler were unlucky to be eliminated after some bad trouble in their respective semis, which leaves Arthur Noodle with a good favourite’s chance after a string of impressive runs here at Nottingham.

“Final night here on Bank Holiday Monday should be a great card as it also includes the heats of our latest Category One event, the Lowther Stakes, where the best bitches in the country will be on display.

“We’ll also have other supporting opens including the final of a Category Three competition as well as heats of another Category Three. A reminder to trainers that entries close at 11am on Thursday 23.

“The restaurant is already 75 per cent booked up, thanks to a Bank Holiday special offer of £13.00 per person to include admission, racecard and a three-course meal. Bookings can be made online at www.nottinghamdogs.com or over the phone on (0115) 910 3333.”