ICE ON FIRE consolidated his position as favourite for The Carling Eclipse at Nottingham as Jimmy Fenwick’s dog produced a superb performance to win the second semi-final of the £6,000 event at Colwick Park on Monday.

Comfortably the fastest semi-final winner, the All England Cup and Puppy Classic winner was soon in command after breaking smartly, racing to another fast 4.86sec split on his way to a two-length success over Forest Alan (Seamus Cahill) in 29.31sec.

It was a 13th career victory from 16 starts for the Dave Spraggon-owned runner and delighted his trainer, with the Newcastle-based handler putting the effort up there with the very best so far produced by the exciting October 17 whelp.

“He’s broken well from the middle and matched the sectional record for the 500m he clocked in the Puppy Classic,” said Fenwick. “I thought he ran great from the rails in the heats, but it’s true he traps better from the middle.

“I’d say he’s rails to middle on the straight, but definitely rails at the bend and you could see him edging across as the bend approached. He’s got trap three in the final and that looks great for us – I’m happy to be inside Bramble Reggie.

“We’ll look forward to the final and focus on that. Hopefully he can run his race, we’re very happy with him and he’s ship-shape this morning. We’ll look at everything after Monday, of course, but the Laurels back at Newcastle looks a likely next step.”

The aforementioned Bramble Reggie also struck for the north east in the third semi-final as the impressive Steve Anderson-trained runner joined Roxholme Glory at the bend, railed into the lead and held the strong King Dylan (Liz McNair) by half a length in 29.71sec.

King Sheeran, the Produce Stakes champion, ensured the McNairs will be doubly represented in next week’s final as he stayed on well behind local star Plaza Lep (Lynn Cook) in the first semi-final, the winner making all in 29.69sec.

Nottingham director Nathan Corden said: “It was a cracking night’s racing. Yes there were one or two hard luck stories but we are left with a terrific Carling Eclipse Final and look forward to a star-studded card here next week.

“Ice On Fire was impressive again with another fast sectional and seems to have a perfect make-up as he bids to land another major victory here at Nottingham after winning the Puppy Classic. He looks the one to beat, for sure.

“However there are plenty through to the final who possess the early pace to make things interesting – so it’s far from a foregone conclusion.

“The north east have a strong hand with Ice On Fire and Bramble Reggie through and Jimmy (Fenwick) and Steve (Anderson) will have high hopes for their runners, while it’s good to see the McNairs back with their pair.

“Sheeran made the British Breeders Stakes final here and Rab and Liz are always welcome as is Seamus (Cahill), whose Forest Alan has run behind two good winners in Ballymac Ambrose and Ice On Fire.

“Obviously from our point of view it’s great to see Plaza Lep and Lynn Cook make it. He’s a real star for Lynn’s kennel with 14 wins from 20 and has a cracking turn of foot.

“I just hope one of his owners Ged Costelloe will be there to watch the final – he missed the semi-finals for a Little Mix concert instead!”

Nottingham reminds owners and trainers that supporting opens to the Carling Eclipse Final  close on Thursday with sprint races (305m) included ahead of the track’s next major event after the Eclipse which is the National Sprint (December 9/16/23).

Draw for Monday’s £6,000 Carling Eclipse Final: 1 Plaza Lep, 2 King Dylan, 3 Ice On Fire, 4 Bramble Reggie, 5 Forest Alan (m), 6 King Sheeran (w).