NEWCASTLE general manager Ian Walton is looking forward to Thursday’s semi-finals of the Time Greyhound Nutrition Northern Flat at the Byker venue – and is delighted to see the winners of the last two runnings of the Category One event both still in there pitching for what would be historic success.

“It’s been over 70 years since any greyhound has ever won back-to-back Northern Flats – and no runner has ever regained it,” said Walton in respect of Jimmy Fenwick’s Wicky Ned, the 2024 champion, and last year’s winner Naochra, trained by John Flaherty. Both finished second in their heats last week and, ironically, now clash in Thursday’s third semi-final of the Category One competition over 480m.

“They are two outstanding runners for connections and played their part in the story of the heats – which was a night  full of quality with not just the Northern Flat heats but also the (Arena Racing Company) Angel of The North heats.

“Overall I was delighted with how both events started and there were some outstanding performances – notably from Woltemade and Slingshot Poppy. They are the King and Queen of Newcastle after the first round!

“But there were other eye-catching wins and I thought both Bockos Buster for Savva Roberts and Deerjet Rocket for Jimmy Gaskin ran really well.

“And you’d have to say pretty much every top runner got through and we’re looking forward to Thursday’s semis now. This week and next when we’ve got a finals’ night gala will be fantastic and top class – and thanks to our sponsors Time and Arc for their support.”

Woltemade, the Arc Northern Puppy Derby winner, set the standard in the Northern Flat heats with a superb 28.13sec (normal) win for Jimmy Fenwick.

Other Northern Flat heats were won by Tom Heilbron’s pair of Droopys Bookem (28.47sec) and Droopys Link (28.58sec), Brian Fairbairn’s Slingshot Louie (28.81sec), Savva Roberts’ Bockos Buster (28.38sec) and Jimmy Gaskin’s Bockos Buster (28.34sec).

Brian Fairbairn’s Slingshot Poppy matched Woltemade with a superb fastest-of-the-night 28.13sec heat win in the Angel of The North.

Other Angel of The North heats went to Darren Golightly’s Newline Kielty (28.73sec), Stuart Ray’s Blackhouse Kim (29.24sec), Dave Lee’s Untold Ariary (28.61sec), plus Jimmy Fenwick’s duo of Coppice Sapphire (28.69sec) and Bluebell Teddy (28.92sec).