JIMMY FENWICK set up a busy 48 hours for the kennel in the best possible style with victory for Skeard Josie in the final of the Arena Racing Company Angel of The North at Newcastle.

Ahead of a trip to Shelbourne Park to give reigning GBGB Greyhound of the Year Wicky Ned a trial as his Irish Derby preparations ratcheted up a notch, it was Skeard Josie, a January 2023 daughter of Fahee Storm and Revilo Josie, who shared the big-race stage at the Byker venue on a night the Time Greyhound Nutrition Northern Flat was also down for decision.

Naochra won the main event for John Flaherty, but first up was the Category Two Angel of The North, worth £7,500 to the winner, and for much of the way Tom Heilbron looked set to retain the trophy his kennel won 12 months ago with Untold Ruble.

Dominoh Hoo Hoo cut loose outside for the local handler and tried to run the finish out of her rivals. However, Skeard Josie ran a huge back-straight to challenge for the lead rounding the final turns, only to be forced to check her stride before regaining momentum and storming up the home-straight along with Killieford Hanna (Roy Smith).

Joining Dominoh Hoo Hoo approaching the winning line, Skeard Josie scored a short-head success over Killieford Hanna, with Dominoh Hoo Hoo three-quarters of a length back in third to produce another stirring finish on the night.

Fenwick trains Skeard Josie for Neil McGregor, Wicky Ned’s owner, and thanked him and another kennel owner Tony Brealey for their support on a night Fenwick’s team landed a hat-trick with success also for comeback queen Coppice Gracie in the Arc Bitches Final and his six-bend star Ballymac Lineout in the Arc Standard Final. Both were over 480m.

“It’s been a great night but wouldn’t be possible without the support of people like Neil and Tony – and I’m delighted we’ve won nice races for them both tonight,” said Fenwick. “Winning with Gracie was certainly extra special – she’d been off for well over a year. It’s actually quite emotional for us all.

“Then to win with Lineout was also great,” added Fenwick of the 640m track record holder. “He’d also been off the track for a while but is so strong over this trip and came forward for his heat. And Josie just topped off the night. She came to challenge round the last bend but couldn’t get through, but gathered herself and went again. She deserves this.

“It’s been a great night for us and we’ll be up in the morning heading off to Dublin to give Ned a trial at Shelbourne Park. We’re going to give him every chance in his preparation for the Irish Derby. He ran so well in the Dundalk International that we just had to give it a go.”

Newcastle stadium manager Ian Walton said: “Well done to Jimmy and Melanie and all the team. They might have missed out on a crack at the Northern Flat final this time having won it last year with Wicky Ned, but it’s been a good night for them overall.

“The story about Coppice Gracie really is a cracking one and just shows you the care and attention our wonderful greyhounds get. To come back like she has is brilliant.”