Arena Racing Company Northern Puppy Derby 2026 final - Runner-by-runner guide

Arena Racing Company Northern Puppy Derby final 

Thursday's puppy final at Newcastle could be one of the tightest of the year if the semi-final winning times are a good guide. Two won in 28.49 and the other in 28.52, it looks a race that is going to throw up plenty of open race winners for the rest of 2026. Prices from Coral.

1 - Ballymac Service - Jimmy Fenwick - Mr J Fenwick, Mrs M Fenwick, Mr N McGregor - 7/2

Produced one of his better sectionals in the semi-final, leading up from the inside jacket and putting more than eight lengths into his rivals. He is going to need another sectional like that with a pair of smart early-paced rivals to his immediate right but there is a strong possibility that he is capable of exactly that. 

2 - Ballymac Buddy - Ted Soppitt - Mr A Tait - 11/10

Has sported the blue jacket to victory in both the heats and the semis. He split decisions with Ballymac Service in a pair of trial stakes for this competition, and on their identical winning times from the semis, the pair could be very hard to separate once more. He has only had six runs compared to the 21 that Ballymac Service has had, so is the lesser exposed of the pair.

3 - Backtoyourbest - Carol Weatherall - Mr D Holmes - 3/1

Was a very impressive winner of his semi-final from the red jacket last week after landing his heat from this starting slot in three. He produced a breathtaking sectional on his trial here prior to the competition and a repeat of that would see him clear the inside. The sectionals have not been consistent but there is no doubt he has the class to win. 

4 - Slingshot Major - Brian Fairbairn - Mr C Armstrong - 33/1

The slowest starter in the field, although that might not be a bad thing given the three inside him potentially arriving at the bend close together. Has a fair bit to find on the clock in a clean run race but his dam was third in the Gold Cup at Shelbourne, so he can do better as time progresses.

5 - Woltemade - Jimmy Fenwick - Mr J Fenwick, Mrs M Fenwick - 9/2

Looked a smart type in the making in a couple of early starts in December, and was sent off favourite against Ballymac Buddy when getting knocked over on All England Cup final night. He was a length and three-quarters behind that rival last week but has produced better sectionals. than that. Has a slow starter inside him which could be a help, and will benefit from any inside crowding. 

6 - Mossend Brute - Savva Roberts - Mr A Power - 20/1

Is still a maiden after four starts but has done well to make his way into a final of this quality so early on in his career. The striped jacket is where he wants to be, and he has some early speed but he is likely to need some luck if he is to win this. Is a nice type for the future but others look more likely winners. 

Conclusion

This is a tricky race as so many of these puppy contests are. Most of them are going to be capable of better to come in the future and with the inside three all looking for the same sand early, this could well come down to how they come away from the traps. 

Those three are all able to lead up, and any crowding could well play into the hands of Woltemade who is more than capable enough of producing a run good enough to win this. A chance is taken on him at the prices to take advantage of any crowding inside of him. 

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