ANNADOWN CHIP heads into Friday’s final of the Arena Racing Company Puppy Trophy at Sunderland as the warmest of favourites for the Category Two feature after another impressive performance in the semis – securing a clash with, among others, litter sister Annadown Wendy in this week’s £12,500 decider.

“It’s some litter, for sure, especially when you think another one of them, Annadown Warrior, finished behind Chip when they were first and second in the  big puppy race on Derby final night,” said the track’s racing executive Derek Hope.

“And Chip is definitely the one to beat on Friday. He’s on something of a roll, has won a few in a row now, and timewise has plenty in hand of his rivals in the final.

“Then again, you still have to get it right, especially at Sunderland,” added Hope, who is looking forward to finals night on Friday when the Wearside track stages two finals with the Arena Racing Company Puppy Trophy joined by the BGBF British Bred Puppy Cup for a Category Two double-header.

“There’s been some eye-catching runs in the British-bred event, especially among some of the younger types. But I’m especially looking to see how the pups progress and who can follow the footsteps of Slingshot Poppy. She won the Arc Puppy Trophy in some style last year and has gone on to be a star of the track really.”

Annadown Chip posted the fastest time of the night when skipping to victory in the third semi-final for Central Park’s Maxine Locke in the third semi.

Soon clear, the September 2024 son of Grangeview Ten and Annadown Cutie won by four and three-quarter lengths from Taylor The Best (Jimmy Fenwick) in 26.76sec (+10).

Mossend Magic struck for George Power in the first semi in 27.43sec (+10), producing a strong-running performance to beat Mustang Fashion (Carol Weatherall), who edged out Elegant Shadow (Jimmy Fenwick) for the qualifying spot, while Tom Heilbron’s Romeo Astron made all to score in the second semi from Annadown Wendy (Maxine Locke).

The winning time from the British-bred was 27.10sec (+10) for the 450m trip.

Newcastle trainer Tom Heilbron was also on the mark in the semi-finals of the BGBF British Bred Puppy Cup as Romeo Victor (27.16sec +10) was narrowly quickest in the first semi from Greenwell Tyson (John Flaherty) and Keefill Goose (Phil Milner), with the other semi-final going to Dan Brabon’s King Floyd (27.19sec +10) from Keefill Rocky (Phil Milner) and Fardoe Sleek (Ray Hale).

Trap draw for Friday’s finals:-

Arena Racing Company Puppy Trophy: 1 Romeo Victor, 2 King Floyd, 3 Keefill Rocky (m), 4 Keefill Goose (m), 5 Fardoe Sleek (w), 6 Greenwell Tyson (w).

BGBF British Bred Puppy Cup: 1 Annadown Chip, 2 Mossend Magic, 3 Romeo Astron, 4 Taylor The Best (m), 5 Annadown Wendy (w), 6 Mustang Fashion (w).