Double for Lisa Stephenson in the opening round of the Time 3 Steps To Victory

Flying start to the 3 Steps

The opening round of the Time Greyhound Nutrition 3 Steps To Victory provided the two fastest 480m runs of 2026 on Sunday afternoon as well as seeing local handler Lisa Stephenson pick up a pair of the heat winners.

She kicked things off in the very first heat with So Its Strate. The youngster has done well for having a stiffer four bends than early in his career at Sunderland, staying 500m around here well. Connections have run him over the 480m trip the last twice in preparation for this, but next week over 500m will suit him better before the potential of unknown territory. 

Sir Chancealot brought up the double, in front early and not seeing another rival. He already has a 660m win at this track to his credit, for all that he was clinging on late in the piece. The second and third that day are nice types, so connections will be hoping for him to get out in front again next week to give him the opportunity for a second go over the distance.

Quickest of the heat winners was Nathan Hunt's Goldcash Warrior. A Derby quarter-finalist, he was quickly in control of the contest, bolting clear by four and a half lengths. He is yet to go beyond 500m but his bottom line is all about stamina and a number in his litter have already proven themselves with smart six-bend wins. 

There was a fourth win on the bounce for Grouchos Cossie, who has hit a real purple patch for Diane Henry. He is improving with every run around here and has to hold excellent claims outright. He was third in the final of a three-round 730 novice at Waterford back in  March, three-quarters of a length behind Lennies Desire. That is very strong staying form to bring to the table here.

The surprise of the opening round for punters was the victory of Brunssum Bubble who scored for Jimmy Fenwick at 10/1. He produced the best pace to the bend and was always holding his rivals from there. He has a 640m win at Newcastle to his credit from the front, though the opposition here is clearly stronger than he faced on that occasion. 

Kim Billingham-Hine took the other heat with Droopys Poker. A finalist in the Puppy Classic at Nottingham last summer, his last three open race wins had all come at Dunstall Park. He was given trials over both four-bend trips at Sheffield ahead of the competition, finishing off his race well to pick up his heat.

There was a double for Rose Draper on the undercard. Hoyland Lad has been missing the kick a touch in his recent sprints and did so again yesterday but he is a strong type at the end of two bends and powered home to add to his Doncaster open race wins from May.

Draper's other winner was also strongest late on as Inca Connect picked up the lead swinging for home and quickly put four lengths between himself and his nearest opponent. All of his 11 prior wins for Draper have come in A3 company, producing a career-best run on the clock yesterday.

The card kicked off with a surprise for punters as Newinn Jolie landed the spoils at 9/1 for Maxine Locke. The market had chosen 2025 Derby semi-finalist No Better Feelin as the one to beat, but he was put in his place early by the superior early pace of the winner. She had not managed to get her head in front since the opening round of the Puppy Collar last autumn, so this will have been a welcome return to winning ways.

A second sprint on the card went to Born Racer who went one spot quicker than Hoyland Lad later on in the afternoon. Carol Weatherall's charge was picking up his third win in a row over this track and trip, the second time in his career that he has run up a hat-trick of successes.

Dunbolg Formula will be set to attempt to pick up a hat-trick next week after his win for Heather Dimmock in a 480m race. He turned a little further back in the field than is normally the case when he crosses the line first, so he deserves plenty of credit for picking up the leader late on to add to his career tally. 

Kelly Hodson had the other winner on the card in the form of Walls Partner. The puppy had picked up both an A3 and A2 previously at this track and made the breakthrough in an open race at the fifth time of asking. 

Towcester doubles for Harnden and Young

There were six open races at Towcester during the afternoon where Peter Harnden and Paul Young both picked up a pair of winner on the card.

Salacres Amara made the third round of the Derby and then the final of the BGBF Truframe Champion Stakes, so she deserved to get her head back in front, especially dropped back into a one-off contest. She showed her usual zip from the traps but had to dig deep after getting headed to work her way back to the front again. 

It was a quickfire double for Harnden as Salacres Lucia landed the next contest, a 460m race. 500m has just been stretching her in good company but the slight drop in trip was perfect. As with her kennelmate, she was the first to show from the lids but there was no chance of any of her rivals landing a blow as she streaked three and three-quarters clear.

Underground Matt continued to step forward for Young having won an A6 at Romford back in the middle of April, he scored in the three grades higher in turn before this, his breakthrough in open race company. The bigger track was no issue for him, stepping up on his recent trials here. 

The Young double was completed by Underground Adz who got his career off to the perfect start with a five-length victory. There was some trouble behind which extended the margin of victory but he showed a decent attitude to get to the front as the field closed on the third bend, clocking a solid time. Just a January 25 pup, he can step up plenty on this.

A stayers contest on the card went to Laurence Tuffin and Fabulous Rakiya. She paced up well to get herself to the front at the opening bend to gain enough of a lead to hold off the strong-running Frankton Ivy. 

Ruth Lambe took the other open race on the afternoon. Da Mighty Man won at Monmore last time out and doubled up despite being a slow away. He paced up well to the bend and swooped around the outside of the field to head into the back in second before taking the lead around the third bend.