KNOCKBOY JET was quickest in the semi-finals of the RPGTV All England Cup at Newcastle on Thursday as the Scottish raider upset the odds in winning the semi, a race which saw the elimination of ante-post favourite Hiya Boyo.

The Gary Ferguson-trained Knockboy Jet was quickly away and set the tempo as odds-on Hiya Boyo missed the break before pacing up to turn second before being caught for qualifying by staying-on Roedhelm Tiger (David Ambler). The winning time was 28.45sec.

The first semi-final saw a local victory as Bramble Reggie trapped and paced up well to lead Waikiki Lad, with Steve Anderson’s dog always holding the advantage. He crossed the line one and three-quarter lengths clear, stopping the clock in 28.50sec.

A Nottingham Eclipse and Monmore Gold Cup finalist last year, Bramble Reggie ran-up over C&D in the 2018 Laurels and has proved one of the most consistent open-race dogs of recent years. He later draw trap two for Thursday’s £8,000-to-the-winner final.

Inside him will be Waikiki Lad, with trainer Ted Soppitt hoping reverse the form given the red jacket berth. The Durham-based handler had earlier seen his younger Blackstone Milo win a heat of the supporting RPGTV Puppy Cup.

He said: “We’re happy to be inside Reggie this time with Waikiki Lad and hopefully he can break well and hold his position, but I was absolutely delighted with Milo. We changed his seeding which worked better and clocked a really fast time (28.35sec).

“After not getting the rub of the green on his debut, this win will have given him lots of confidence.”

The third semi-final went to the Debbie Calvert-trained Jumeirah Sprite who finished well to catch Pat Rosney’s longtime leader Bower Luke to win by half a length in 28.60sec.

Winning trainer Calvert said of the August 17 son of Droopys Roddick: “He’s owned by Jimmy Buckley, who sent him over along with his litter-sister Jumeirah Sparkle – she’s in great form herself having won on Friday!

“But Sprite is a pleasure to work with, although is very timid until he gets to know you. He knows us well now and is really showing his class now. He’s a well balanced dog who has great trackcraft and composure when it’s needed in races.

“He’s not likely to lead in the final but with a clear run will be close by at the finish, hopefully. He’s a great greyhound to have in the kennel and generally things are going well for us, with a good few winners of late.

“Let’s hope it continues and, win or lose, we plan to have a small party here at the kennels on Thursday night. Obviously we can’t get owners and too many staff at the track just now, but we’ll certainly be cheering on Sprite and the others here at the kennels.

“It’s the All England Cup after all, the North East Derby in many ways!”

Trap draw and form for Thursday’s finals: www.bagsracing.com/assets/30-july—newcastle-adv.pdf