STORMY NEWS hit the headlines in Sunday’s semi-finals of the BresBet Gymcrack at Kinsley by clocking the fastest time as the puppies-only Category One event, making a welcome return to the GBGB Calendar, ratcheted up a notch.

The Michael Hurst-trained runner was quickly away in the third semi on his way to a super-slick 5.01sec sectional and was never headed as the June 2021 son of Good News and Bonito Fox drew away impressively for a four and a quarter lengths success over Watchall Sid (Carl Jackson) in 27.79sec (normal) for the 462m trip – the pair qualifying for Sunday’s £9,000 final.

Wrighty struck for John Mullins in the opening semi-final as the August 2021 son of Out Of Range ASB and Swift Acoustic produced a strong-running performance to reel in longtime leader Ballymac Pria (Bev Heaton) on the run for home to score by half a length in 28.20sec (normal).

Onthegravytrain made all to score in the second semi-final as Laurence Tuffin’s July 2021 son of Magical Bale and Fabulous Pearl showed the best pace to lead his rivals before holding the Bev Heaton-trained pair of Betsys Minnie and Ballymac Frisby for a half-length success in 27.80sec (normal).

The victory delighted part-owner and RPGTV executive producer Clive Lawrence who explained the background to the youngster, whose kennel name is Bisto!

Lawrence, who owns Onthegravytrain with his brother Dave, another member of the RPGTV team, said: “He was a spin-off from the last Maurice Newman GOSH auction where myself and Dave bid for a dog which unfortunately came over injured so Dave Firmager, who put up the auction prize, very kindly gave us the pick of three pups he had with Laurence Tuffin. We chose Bisto and promised if the original auction dog made the track and earned anything worthwhile then GOSH would receive a generous donation.

“Bisto has shown good early at Towcester and Kinsley but appears to appreciate an easy four-bend trip, although has held on gamely for a couple of Towcester graded wins. We went for the Gymcrack as it was the last puppy competition he’d be eligible for and the trip suited.

“He’s steering uncharacteristically wide on the run to the first bend but then cutting in.   The favourite (Stormy News) appears to have it to lose and, being drawn inside us, we don’t give our boy too much of a chance unless the favourite gets it wrong at the traps.

“Anyway, we have a table in the famous Kinsley restaurant and we’ll enjoy copious amounts of gravy!”

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=396628&raceId=934700

Trap draw for Sunday’s final: 1 Betsys Minnie, 2 Ballymac Pria, 3 Wrighty, 4 Stormy News (m), 5 Onthegravytrain (m), 6 Watchhall Sid (w).