PELAW GRANGE-based Glengiblin Steve set the standard in the heats of the William Hill Northern Puppy Derby at Newcastle on Thursday.

Trained at the north east venue by Rob McCarthy, the October 2016 whelp was quick away in his heat of the 480m competition as he shot clear and won by three lengths from Droopys Heron (Angela Harrison) in 28.74sec.

Ante-post favourite Droopys Trapper (Angela Harrison) survived a scare in heat five, being led from the boxes and crowded at the turn, before hitting the front off the second and winning by four lengths from Roxholme Butt (Hayley Keightley).

The other heats were won by John McLachlan’s Spanish Maiden (28.94sec), the Harrison-trained Droopys Hopeful (28.83sec), Pat Rosney’s Newinn Jet (28.77sec) and Tom Heilbron’s Drumcrow Connie (28.87sec).

With a bird’s eye view of proceedings on the night, Newcastle commentator Mark Cranston feels this year’s William Hill Northern Puppy Derby is wide open – although favourite Droopys Trapper still impressed him.

“Judging by the times in the heats, the competition looks wide open,” he said. “There really wasn’t a huge amount between all the heat winners – and I’m sure there are plenty of connections that now fancy their chances.

“However, we saw a different side to Droopys Trapper, after things did not go to plan. He won the Sunderland final off the front, but this time we saw his bravery and determination to get to the front unlike his previous facile wins.

“That tells us he’s a serious greyhound and, with lots more to come you feel, he’s probably still the one to beat. In behind, though, I thought Hayley Keightley’s Roxholme Butt was very much an eye-catcher.

“I’d imagine with that experience from the heats, we’ll see a very different greyhound in the semi-finals. He clearly has plenty of speed and would be a big player if his trapping improves. Hopefully we’ll see a rematch between the pair in the final.

“Of the rest, a possible dark horse for the competition is Tom Heilbron’s Incognito. He had a nightmare start from trap one in the heats but plugged on nicely to qualify and he’s managed to avoid the two heavyweights in next week’s semi-finals.

“Trap two will be a more suitable box for him next week and he has that touch of stamina which will see him pick up past beaten rivals. He goes in the third semi which is overflowing with early pace. He’ll pick up any pieces.”

Draw for Thursday semi-finals:-

First semi: 1 Glengiblin Steve, 2 Blissful Bell, 3 Newinn Jet, 4 Spanish Maiden (m), 5 Magical Vera (m), 6 Droopys Trapper (m).

Second semi: 1 Roxholme Butt, 2 Poolie Jim, 3 Droopys Trawler, 4 Drumcrow Connie (m), 5 Total Legend (m), 6 Swift Magpie (m).

Third semi: 1 Herbertstown, 2 Incognito, 3 Droopys Hopeful (m), 4 Droopys Stunning (m), 5 Droopys Heron (m), 6 Madabout Philip (m).