NEWCASTLE stadium manager Ian Walton is looking forward to Thursday’s gala card at the Byker venue featuring four finals including the Time Greyhound Nutrition Northern Flat and Arena Racing Company Angel Of The North.

The Category One and Two deciders will be centre-stage of a 12-race card – 10 opens – which sees the 88th running of the Northern Flat, dating back to its Belle Vue days and first running in 1927. Thursday’s winner of the 480m annual will take home £12,500 and will see five Newcastle-based runners eyeing the main prize.

“We’ve got a good final of the Northern Flat to look forward – and I’d like to thank Time Greyhound Nutrition for coming on board on as sponsors for the first time. They were here last week and had a meet and greet with trainers and will be doing the same this week. We’ve set aside an area in the bar area behind the main grandstand restaurant.”

Last week’s semi-finals saw the Stephen Caile-trained Delvin Cat continue his fine run by landing a five-timer, pacing up to lead on the outside on his way to a three-quarters of a length victory over the running-on Romeo Crossfire (Tom Heilbron), who recovered well from a first-bend bump, to qualify. The winning time was 28.42sec (+20).

Slingshot Sam struck for another Newcastle trainer Brian Fairbairn in the second semi as a fastest-of-the-night 4.50sec sectional set up a two-length victory over hot favourite Wicky Ned (Jimmy Fenwick) in 28.51sec (+10), who missed the break but turned in second. However, the December 21 whelp held the Gymcrack champion to the line.

The third semi-final proved an eventful one with Nottingham’s Mickys Tribute (Jason Gray) incurring the wrath of the stewards after a coming together with long-time leader and eventual winner Tonelagee, with the former disqualified for deliberate interference. For the record, Savva Roberts’ Tonelagee won by a short-head in 28.64sec (+10).

Walton added: “It was unfortunate to see and you always feel for connections in these situations. It means we have a five-runner final but there’s still plenty of quality in the race to succeed last year’s winner Brookside Richie who was, of course, trained by Jimmy Fenwick who’s back again with Wicky Ned looking to land the double.

“The (Arena Racing Company) Angel Of The North final is also a cracker and fair play to both Kevin Hutton and Barry Denby for making the journey up here to the north-east. Both have got Angel Of The North finalists – Kevin with littermates Southfield Daisy and Coppice Ella and Barry with Leighas Dream.

“Leighas Dream deserves an extra special mention after her 28.08sec (+30) semi-final win which is one of the fastest we’ve seen here at Newcastle.”

Trap draw for Thursday’s finals: https://www.newcastle-greyhounds.co.uk/racing/results