NEWCASTLE general manager Ian Walton admitted to mixed feelings after the heats of the Time Greyhound Nutrition Northern Flat last week but is looking forward to this week’s semi-finals of the longstanding Category One competition.

“Thursday last week was a topsy-turvy night for sure and our thoughts are certainly still with Brian Fairbairn and Craig Armstrong after the loss of Slingshot Sam,” after last year’s Northern Flat runner-up was taken ill overnight after winning his heat and failed to recover.

“Everything seemed so right in many ways after Slingshot Sam had run so well in his heat to clock the fastest time of the event – and the night – and looked to have every chance of going one better this year. Brian and Craig are great supporters of ours here at Newcastle so we’ve all felt for them in recent days.

“We also wish Icemans Girl well. Nathan (Hunt) reports her comfortable and on the road to what should be a full recovery which is good news, albeit disappointing for connections. I suppose it’s the ups and downs of sport that Nathan won the very next race.”

Walton took the opportunity to thank Time Greyhound Nutrition, sponsors of the Northern Flat for the second year running.

“They’ve had a busy time of it with the 3 Steps To Victory at Sheffield and the Dundalk International and we look forward to welcoming the guys here on finals night,” added Walton. “They had a fantastic winner of this event last year in Wicky Ned and we know it takes a good dog to win the Northern Flat.”

The ill-fated Slingshot Sam (28.27sec, normal) set the standard overall in the Northern Flat with the other heats going to Jimmy Fenwick’s Elusivenomore (28.66sec), Mark Bulmer’s Hollyhill Gonzo (28.46sec), Tom Heilbron’s pair of Deliveroo (28.36sec) and Unanimous Leon (28.69sec), and Glenn Foot’s Jacktavern Chief (28.28sec).

Thursday’s card also included heats of the Arena Racing Company Angel of The North, with fastest in the bitches-only event being the Jimmy Fenwick-trained Coppice Saphire who produced a strong-running victory in 28.64sec.

One of four Fenwick-trained winners on the night, his 16-1 chance Bluebell Teddy (28.67sec) and 14-1 chance Annadown Alice (28.98sec) also landed their Angel of The North heats.

Other heats went to Savva Roberts’ Bogger Darling (28.75sec), Nathan Hunt’s Bridefort Lady (28.76sec) and Glenn Foot’s Emilys Superstar (28.91sec), initiating a double on the night for the Star Pelaw handler.