NEWCASTLE stages one of the most open Northern Puppy Derby finals in years on Thursday after the semi-finals of the Arc-sponsored Category One saw just three spots separate all three winners.

Ballymac Buddy and Ballymac Service shared the honours as the joint-fastest of the semi-finals and, for good measure, the former was chased home by his litter brother to make it a real family affair come the £12,500 decider, the first major puppy competition of 2026.

Lining up in the first semi-final, Ballymac Buddy was quickly away and soon in charge as Ted Soppitt’s dog rode a bump at the first bend before going on to grab gold.

The 8-13 favourite was never headed thereafter as the May 2024 son of Ballymac Finn and Ballymac Minton led home his litter brother Woltemade (Jimmy Fenwick) for a length and three-quarters success in 28.69sec (-20) for the 480m trip.

The victory delighted trainer Soppitt, who said: “We’ve always thought a lot of Buddy. He came to us unraced off the back of just two trials at Thurles and has only been beaten once – and that was probably down more to inexperience than anything else.

“It’s a good final and less than half a length separated the winners, but ours has got every chance if he can come away and lead up again. It’d be great to win the Puppy Derby again – it’s been a while!” said Soppitt who won back-to-back Northern Puppy Derbys with Calzaghe Boyo and Droopys Mcandrew in 2005 and 2006.

Matching Ballymac Buddy’s clock was the Jimmy Fenwick-trained Ballymac Service in the third semi as he paced up on the inside of favourite Goldcash Warrior (Nathan Hunt) and crucially led at the first bend before pulling well clear of the pack who crowded behind.

Crossing the line eight and a quarter lengths clear of Brian Fairbairn’s outsider Slingshot Major, Ballymac Service, a April 2024 son of Ballymac Bolger and Ballymac Cams, also posted 28.69sec (-20) to jointly set the standard in the semis.

In between, the Carol Weatherall-trained Backtoyourbest also impressed with a runaway success as he clocked 28.72sec (-20), just three spots slower than his rivals.

The May 2024 son of Dromana Bucko and Teena, a KAB Puppy Collar semi-finalist at Oxford last year, justified favouritism when forcing his way to the front rounding the opening bends for a three and half lengths success over Mossend Brute (Savva Roberts).

Trap draw for Thursday’s Arc Northern Puppy Derby Final: 1 Ballymac Service, 2 Ballymac Buddy, 3 Backtoyourbest, 4 Slingshot Major (m), 5 Woltemade (m), 6 Mossend Brute (w).