MARCH ON FREDDIE will be looking to emulate last year’s champion Slick Sabo after setting the fastest time in the heats of the JenningsBet Puppy Classic at Nottingham.

Twelve months ago Slick Sabo, then known as Glenvale Bill, posted the fastest time in the heats of the Category One event before going on to lift the £12,500-to-the-winner prize for connections. This time it was the David Mullins-trained runner who set the standard with a brilliant victory in heat five.

Racing to a slick 5.08sec sectional, the 36-kilo September 2022 son of Dorotas Wildcat and Seaglass Shadow was soon in command and on his way to a five-and-a-quarter length success from kennelmate Syd Zafiro, the Genco Group Juvenile Classic runner-up at Towcester, in 29.49sec (+20) to give Romford handler Mullins a one-two.

The event kicked off with victory for the Stuart Ray-trained Blackhouse Kim as the Newcastle raider, a November 2022 daughter of Pestana and Taranaki, led at the first bend on her way to a 30.08sec (+20) from No Better Feelin (Chris Fereday), while Swift Underwater confirmed the promise of a trial stakes victory in heat two.

The John Lambe-trained runner, a young January 2023 son of Pestana and Swift Bach, swooped to the front on the dash to the bend and took advantage of crowding for favourite 2-7 favourite Droopys Extragud (Heather Dimmock) before the Perry Barr runner crossed the line a length clear of that rival, who rallied well, in 30.19sec (+20).

Missile One landed a maiden event at Hove last week and looks a pup on the up for Seamus Cahill judged on a runaway success in heat three as the Hove runner, a September 2022 son of Broadstrand Bono and Conquering Queen, went clear for a six-length success over Brigadir Brindle (David Mullins) in 29.77sec (+20).

Crafty Elmo landed a local success in heat four as Colin Wilton’s September 2022 son of Pestana and Cockyorconfident led early on his way to a 30.39sec (+20) over Salacres Wild (Peter Harnden), with 4-11 favourite Skeard Josie (Jimmy Fenwick) recovering well to finish third here after first-bend crowding.

Fire And Ice, an Oct 2022 son of Ballymac Cashout and Ballymac Cams, was an all-the-way winner of the sixth and final heat as Matt Dartnall’s dog was soon in full flow – posting a fastest-of-the-night 5.05sec sectional – on his way to holding Kilgarran Jay (Paula Timmins) by half a length in 29.96sec (+20).

David Evans, Nottingham’s general manager, said: “Well done to connections of all the runners who will be back here for next week’s semi-finals of the JenningsBet Puppy Classic – as we build up to a very busy time here at Colwick Park.

“It’s a packed month, with three very good-looking Puppy Classic semis, followed by the big final here – on a night the JenningsBet Select Stakes and JenningsBet Select Stayers will also be held. We’re looking forward to the Greyhound Writers’ Association’s choices for these two races – especially the Select which is already looking red-hot!

“Gala finals night here on Bank Holiday Monday (August 26) will be free to enter as we kick off National Greyhound Week – and, as a thank-you for people visiting the stadium between now and August 23, a free drink will be offered to patrons on Bank Holiday Monday. All they need to do is collect a voucher when on site from the bar.”

Trap draw for Monday’s JenningsBet Puppy Classic semi-finals: https://www.nottingham-greyhounds.co.uk/racing/