WICKY NED landed the second Category One victory of his career with a gutsy display in front to lift the Time Greyhound Nutrition Northern Flat Final at Newcastle on Saturday.

On a night the former Belle Vue annual shared the stage with the Arena Racing Company Angel Of The North decider, a Category Two competition, local runners dominated the main events with the Jimmy Fenwick-trained and Neil McGregor-owned youngster adding to his Gymcrack success with success in the Northern Flat.

The 37-kilo August 2022 son of Droopys Sydney and Ballycowen Lucy went off the 7-4 favourite for the £12,500-to-the-winner contest despite defeat behind Slingshot Sam (Brian Fairbairn) in the semi-finals, but turned the tables after using the inside line to ride a bump and go on at the first bend in the 480m contest.

Clearing Romeo Crossfire (Tom Heilbron) inside, Wicky Ned paced up well to draw alongside the fast-starting pair of Slingshot Sam and Tonelagee (Savva Roberts) at the bend, with Delvin Cat (Stephen Caile) also on the premises outside. However, swinging round, Wicky Ned stole a march as his rivals crowded.

In front thereafter, Fenwick’s pup repelled the challenge of Slingshot Sam and crossed the line two and three-quarter lengths clear of that rival and third-placed Romeo Crossfire in 28.81sec (+20).

Winning trainer Jimmy Fenwick said afterwards: “We’ve always thought the world of him and everyone knows what sort of trials he was doing at Sheffield before the Gymcrack. Things didn’t quite work out for him in the (English) Derby at Towcester but then to come back and win a strong invitation on Derby final night was special.

“He’s not run the third bend at Newcastle great, even when in front in the final, so that probably accounts for the slowish time but I couldn’t fault his attitude – you knew he wasn’t going to let anything pass him and, if anything, he’s probably going away from them at the line. He’s definitely proving strong in front.

“I’m delighted for Neil (McGregor). We had some great times with Sally (Bellmore Sally) and he had no hesitation to get involved when I phoned him to say we could get Ned. That’s two Cat Ones now plus a Derby final night invitation.

“We’ll give him a short rest now. There’s a couple of minor issues that need ironing out because he’ll need to be perfect for the (JenningsBet) Select Stakes which is always a quality event – and he’s a young dog, of course. But that is very much on the agenda.”

Reflecting on the company’s first backing of the famous competition, Time Greyhound Nutrition’s Willie Rigney said: “Well done to Jimmy, Melanie and all the team – Ned was a very worthy winner showing a lot of class. That Derby night puppy invitation looks good now with Ned beating Slick Sentinel after he won the Juvenile Classic back there.

“Overall, we were delighted with the Northern Flat competition. Newcastle were brilliant throughout and we’d like to thank Ian Walton (Newcastle GM) and his team for making it possible for us to meet our clients at the track on both semi-final and final nights.

“It was also great to see all five trainers involved in the Northern Flat final are Time clients. We have a good relationship with a lot of the trainers in the north east and hopefully we can do it all again at Newcastle next year – possibly something in the pipeline at Sunderland also. We’ll be starting a conversation shortly.”

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=414305&raceId=1056301