WICKY NED raised the roof at Sheffield on Sunday with a brilliant front-running success in the Time Greyhound Nutrition 3 Steps To Victory Final – as the unique tri-distance event produced a top-class and fastest-of-the-year performance in the £10,000 decider.

Jimmy Fenwick’s Greyhound of the Year first emerged as a real talent with rapid-fire trials at the Owlerton Stadium and rubber-stamped his love affair with the South Yorkshire venue last year with victories in the BresBet Gymcrack and Steel City Cup, so Sunday’s success in front of a busy weekend crowd was a third major title at the track.

Lining up from trap six in the field of railers, Wicky Ned (7-4) went off second favourite behind Chelms Bear (11-8F) but soon had his rivals under pressure with a fast break from the outside-box seeing the August 2022 son of Droopys Sydney and Ballycowen Lucy soon dominating matters and in the clear on his way to victory.

Comfortable in front crossing the winning line first time, the only question for supporters and connections at this point was whether Wicky Ned would stay given his first taste of six bends but the Neil McGregor-owned star, a multiple Category One winner, was not for stopping and kept up the gallop and a decent advantage throughout.

Arthur Job (Patrick Godfrey) turned the bend in second and kept that position throughout himself with a strong-running effort in behind, albeit was joined on the line by Chelms Bear (Craig Morris) who kept on well after being held up off the second bend.

However, victory was Wicky Ned’s by four and a quarter lengths from Arthur Job and a short-head back to Chelms Bear in third. The winning time was 38.98sec for the 660m trip, a fastest-of-the-year time from Wicky Ned on his first six-bend start, and after heats over 480m and semi-finals over 500m in the cross-distance competition.

For Newcastle trainer Jimmy Fenwick, victory was extra special – and not just because Wicky Ned was wearing the beloved black and white stripes of his favourite football team!

“I suppose that softened the blow when we knew they were all railers in the final,” he said. “He looks good in black and white stripes – everyone does! But seriously I always felt it might work in his favour if he trapped as he did in the semis. In fact, he trapped even better and faster – he was like a bullet from the boxes which certainly helped.

“We’re delighted to win the 3 Steps and thanks must go to Sheffield and the sponsors Time – we’ve made it a habit to taking their money after winning the (Time Greyhound Nutrition) Northern Flat last year! Obviously defending the trophy this year was an option but we’re going to head to Dundalk for the International, also sponsored by Time!

“It’s not too often you get a greyhound good enough to have a crack at Dundalk and Shelbourne for the Irish Derby also has to be on our minds, too, but Ned is a special dog. A few of the old-timers were comparing him at Sheffield on Sunday to the great Desert Pilot which is a great compliment – and we’ll take that for sure.”