IAN WALTON, Newcastle’s general manager, is looking forward to some top-class racing either side of the festive period after last week’s heats of the Premier Greyhound Racing All England Cup at the Byker venue produced some notable performances – and, as ever, a strong local challenge.

On a night when Swift Silly set the standard for Newcastle trainer Ray Hale to underline the north-east will have a major say in the destination of the £20,000 Category One competition, Walton looked ahead to Thursday’s semi-finals and what greyhound fans can expect.

“I thought it was a brilliant meeting for the first round of the Premier Greyhound Racing All England Cup and just kicked off what is a busy but exciting period for us either side of Christmas – and, thankfully, the weather is looking kinder for us than has been the case in previous years.

“That’s helping trainers travelling from other parts of the UK. The temperatures are definitely milder, albeit we’ve had plenty of rain. However, the track itself is in great condition and the quality definitely shone through in the heats. It’s certainly wide open and, however the semis pan out, we are set for a cracking final on Thursday, December 28, between Xmas and the New Year.

“Well done to Swift Silly, Ray Hale and connections, for her superb heat win. I know she impressed all recently with a good win on the (Premier Greyhound Racing) Eclipse card at Nottingham and franked that form, and Burj Khalifa franked the form of the Eclipse itself having run second there and won his heat well.

“I’d also like to give a shout out to the Sunderland Classic form given both Jonny Whiskers and Pape Di Oro also qualified.”

Swift Silly set the ball rolling in heat one as the local hope struck for Ray Hale, leading at the turn before going on for a near-three lengths 28.72sec (-30) success for the 480m trip. Skywalker Pele (Ted Soppitt) and Pape Di Oro (Savva Roberts) qualified for the semi-finals behind him.

Jill Sutherst’s British-bred Witton Venus then notched another local victory when reeling in Coppice Rocket (Jimmy Fenwick) on the run for home for a length and a quarter victory over that rival in 29.22sec (-30), with Droopys Eddie (Maxine Locke) making the semi-finals in third.

Jimmy Fenwick, who sent out Brookside Richie to post the fastest time in last year’s All England Cup heats, fielded Coppice Kaiser (29.14sec – 20) to win heat three from the strong-running Glengar Bridie (Tom Heilbron) and Jonny Whiskers (Harry Burton), while Brookside Richie himself qualified in second behind heat four winner Burj Khalifa (Diane Henry) in 28.98sec (-30). Antigua Eclipse (Nathan Hunt) finished third here.

Tom Heilbron’s Bogger Rambo then made it two-from-two in the UK in heat five with an all-the-way victory in 29.06sec (-30) from Cunnigar Yousir (Nathan Hunt) and Unreal Bruiser (Diane Henry), while Wrighty (John Mullins) wrapped up the night when escaping the pack for a heat six victory in 28.96sec (-30) from Savana Shay (Diane Henry) and Coolavanny Mercy (Angela Harrison).