ICE ON FIRE heads into Monday’s Stadium Bookmakers Puppy Classic Final at Nottingham as the fastest semi-final winner – and his trainer Jimmy Fenwick is looking forward to seeing the youngster progress.

“He’s doing everything we’ve asked of him – but really right from the start he’s looked a very nice dog,” said the Newcastle handler. “I remember when he came off the transporter I took one look at him and could see he was different from the ordinary potentially.

“I phoned Dave (Spraggon, owner) up and told him he was one was the nicest dogs I’d ever seen. He’s literally come off the schooling track in Ireland, that’s all, so was a raw novice for that first Newcastle trial.

“Myself and Dave were both there and he did swing very wide – I reckon it cost him 30 spots and so did Dave. He did 17.18sec which was obviously some run in the circumstances – and he’s progressed and improved since.

“He’s only been beaten by good dogs – or the draw. But he’s got a decent draw in the final.

“You’d hope he can lead those inside and then it’s race-on. It’s a really top Puppy Classic Final and we’re certainly not taking it lightly – it will be tough to win. I’d say Roxholme Dolly might be the one to be wary of – she’s well drawn and is coming forward it seems.”

Pending soon-to-be released dates, Fenwick is favouring a crack at the All England Cup at home track Newcastle after the Nottingham feature. “It might just play to his strengths more than Romford and the Puppy Cup – but we’ll think about that after Nottingham. The Eclipse might be on the agenda too,” he added.

For the record, Ice On Fire always led in the second semi-final on Monday, winning from Waikiki Lad (Philip Simmonds) by three lengths in 29.51sec.

The aforementioned Roxholme Dolly won the first semi-final in fine style for Hayley Keightley, always handy before hitting the front at the fourth bend to win by four lengths from the Mark Wallis-trained Antigua Rum in 29.68sec. The latter did plenty in behind to qualify.

The third semi saw Headford Ranger (Kevin Hutton) run away from his rivals off the second bend to score by almost nine lengths from Salacres Magnier in 29.57sec.

Nottingham director Nathan Corden, looking forward to the decider, said: “It’s a cracking final. Year after year the Puppy Classic is always a good pointer for the 2020 group competitions.

“This is the 25th year of the Puppy Classic – the first one, back in 1995, was won by Elliots Gem.

“Thank-you once again to the Nottingham bookmakers for stepping in to sponsor this year’s competition.”

Form for Monday’s final: 1 Antigua Rum, 2 Headford Ranger, 3 Ice On Fire, 4 Waikiki Lad, 5 Salacres Magnier (m), 6 Roxholme Dolly (m).