HIYA BOYO set the standard in the heats of the RPGTV All England Cup at Newcastle on Thursday as Category One competition returned to the GBGB calendar post-lockdown.

Trained by Hayley Keightley for herself and part-owners Paul Ellis, Greg and Trevor O’Donnell, last year’s Irish Derby Consolation winner when known as Droopys Pension was soon clear in heat four and was never headed, stopping the clock in 28.18sec (+10).

Victory came on a day when it was announced that the Keightleys have begun the process of winding down their long-successful operation.

Mark Keightley said: “It was a great performance, especially coming on a day when both myself and Hayley finally decided greyhound training was going to have to take a back-seat to be replaced by, hopefully, equally enjoyable times doing other things.

“We actually thought we’d made a big mistake when ‘Pen’ as we call him did what he did at Newcastle, but we’ll be sticking to our guns,” he said.

On the All England Cup heat-winning effort, Keightley added: “Hiya Boyo is without doubt very talented on his day. He carried the lads’ hard- earned cash at Notts and was set to make a fantastic winning UK debut when going injured when clear at the third bend.

“We later found he’d damaged a gracillis muscle, which was bad enough to keep him off an age.

“Yet again Hayley, Craig (Morris) and the staff got to work and sure enough some months later he turns up at Newcastle after undergoing a few trials at various venues and produces what can only be described as a emphatic success.

“Of course, we understand it’s only round one of a quality three-round Category One competition littered with very fast greyhounds and more will be required to win the competition outright.

“I don’t think there’s any doubt he’s a middle seed and I’m not sure trap five is perfect for his semi-final, but at this stage we’ll take what’s given and in the context of the make-up I think he’ll handle the situation fine – providing he makes a sensible start.”

Next quickest on Thursday was the Ted Soppitt-trained Waikiki Lad, who roared back to his best with a fluent all-the-way 28.20sec (+10) in heat one on a mixed night for the Durham-based handler who saw his Blackstone Milo knocked over in a supporting puppy event.

“Milo’s good first of all, although I will change his seeding to middle,” said Soppitt, “but I’m very happy with Waikiki Lad. With more racing under his belt, he’s getting that early zip back so we can now look forward to the semis.”

The other RPGTV All England Cup heats were won by the Savva Roberts-trained Deadly Cyclone (28.69sec +10), Debbie Calvert’s Jumeirah Sprite (28.29sec +10), Angela Harrison’s Levante Beach (28.47sec +10) and Steve Anderson’s Bramble Reggie (28.45 +10).

Newcastle general manager Ian Walton: “Overall I was delighted with the action and it’s set up three mouthwatering semi-finals ahead – Bramble Reggie and Waikiki Lad going against each other should be some battle.

“We’d like to thank all the connections who have supported the competitions and we are proud to be putting on this event so soon after racing returned. It looks wide open and the big guns are through, so best of luck to everyone in next week’s semi-finals.”

Trap draw and form for Thursday’s semi-finals: www.bagsracing.com/assets/23-july—newcastle-adv.pdf