GLENVALE BILL was quickest in the heats of the JenningsBet Puppy Classic as the GBGB Category One annual for youngsters kicked off with six heats over 500m at Nottingham last night – the Monmore raider saving the best for last.

Graham Rankin’s September 21 son of Dorotas Wildcat and Droopys Kit had made a real splash in June’s Arena Racing Company Puppy Cup at Sunderland, in which he finished second to Ballybough Mags, but now dominated the issue early on his way to win heat six by seven and half lengths from Wildcat Joe (Michael Connolly) in 29.54sec (+20).

Training honours on the night went to Mark Wallis who landed a JenningsBet Puppy Classic double courtesy of Newinn Syd (pictured) and Ballymac John, with the former producing a strong-running effort to land heat one.

Led for much of the way by Coppice Rocket (Jimmy Fenwick), the October 2021 son of Droopys Sydney and Newinn Mimi finished best to hit the front on the run for home to score by one a half lengths from the Newcastle raider in 29.72sec (+30).

The winner’s kennelmate Ballymac John proved a runaway winner of heat three, the September 2021 son of Ballymac Cashout and Ballymac Arminta riding a bump at the first bend before powering on to score by almost seven lengths in 30.35sec (+20).

Angela Harrison sent out Coolavanny Mercy to score in 29.70sec (+30) in heat two. The December 2021 daughter of Droopys Sydney and Coolavanny Tutsy posted a fastest-of-the-round 5.00sec sectional on her to an all-the-way one-and-three-quarter lengths win over Allowdale Icon (Nathan Hunt) and Droopys Prymtime (Mark Wallis).

Dave Welding’s Moyar Brow also unleashed an impressive burst of early pace to lead his rivals a merry dance in heat four before the September 2021 son of Good News and Kishlawn Amelia crossed the line just over three lengths clear of Sirdar (Michael Connolly) in 30.11sec (+20).

The remaining heat five saw victory for Jimmy Fenwick’s Coppice Kaiser. The Newcastle raider also won from off the front, the September 2021 son of Good News and Burgess Sarah scoring by five and a quarter lengths from Sandwood Ava (Lisa Stephenson) in 30.03sec (+20).

Lacie Moran, Nottingham’s duty manager, said: “It was a great night’s racing here at Nottingham to kick-start the JenningsBet Puppy Classic.

“Glenvale Bill backed up his recent trial with a great run for Graham Rankin, an impressive effort despite not getting the best of breaks.

“Mark Wallis has a strong team of four qualifying through to the semi-finals next week. I was particularly impressed with Coolavanny Mercy for Team Harrison and I’m sure they’ll be hoping she can go one better than the Greyhound of the Year Coolavanny Aunty who was runner-up in this competition in 2021.

“The first semi-final next week looks a hot one for sure and I think a few trainers will have wished that perhaps myself and Derek Somers (JenningsBet) pulled them out in a different order as some of the younger dogs perhaps didn’t get their ideal traps.

“However, it was great to see so many owners here supporting the competition and watching the live draw on Twitter. Best of luck to all connections in the semis.”