Fan favourite Ned out to win heats in Time Greyhound Nutrition Northern Flat semis

Ned looking for that 2024 magic

Champion racer Wicky Ned rolled back the years in the Time Greyhound Nutrition Northern Flat heats on Thursday night at Newcastle Stadium, a competition he won two years ago.

The dual Category One champion – who celebrates his fourth birthday next month – finished second behind Deerjet Rocket to book his spot in this week’s semis where a top two finish would guarantee a place in the £12,500 final on July 23.

He is one of three greyhounds to qualify for Ashington trainer Jimmy Fenwick, who has won the competition twice previously with Brookside Richie (2023) and Wicky Ned (2024).

The fan favourite has been drawn in a hot race this week with England Greyhound Derby quarter finalist Droopys Sort, defending champion Naochra, kennel mate Zenith Tanju and Premier Greyhound Racing Classic runner-up Bockos Buster also featuring.

Jimmy said he’d love for his star racer to progress and in doing so reach a seventh Category One final of his career.

“We’re in a good position,” said Fenwick.

“To have Wicky Ned back racing was great for everyone to see, and I’m chuffed he’s through to the semi-finals.

“He isn’t 100 per cent race fit and is still finding his feet to an extent. He showed great heart in his heat and we’d love for him to reach the final two years after he won the competition.”

Among Jimmy’s other hopes are Woltemade and Zenith Tanju. 

The former burst onto the racing scene in February when winning the Arena Racing Company Northern Puppy Derby, before landing the BGBF British Bred Maiden Derby in May.

No greyhound has ever won all three competitions in the same year, but Woltemade is in prime position to break that trend with all bookmakers installing him as their favourite.

Zenith Tanju meanwhile – an English Greyhound Derby finalist in 2025 – is improving every week, according to Jimmy, after he was last seen on the winners’ podium last month in an A1.

“Woltemade won the Northern Puppy Derby from trap five so the draw is okay,” said Fenwick.

“He’s an early pace type dog, and likes to do things from the front. Last week he delivered a fabulous run and a repeat of that would see him through to the final you’d like to think.

“Zenith Tanju is in a hot heat, but he’s getting fitter each week and on his day he can be a very good greyhound so we’re hopeful of reaching the final between the three of them.”

Five other Newcastle trainers are represented in the semi-finals.

Tom Heilbron runs Droopys Bookem, Droopys Link and Ballymac Sargie, while Savva Roberts is represented by Mossend Brute and Bockos Buster.

John Flaherty, Brian Fairbairn and Ted Soppitt meanwhile run one each with Naochra, Slingshot Louie and Ballymac Buddy respectively.

The evening also features the semi-finals of the £7,500 Arena Racing Company Angel of the North. Fan favourite Slingshot Poppy set the pace in last week’s heats, clocking a blistering 28.13 in her Heat One win.

Tickets for the Time Greyhound Nutrition Northern Flat semi-finals are available from £9 online via www.newcastle-greyhounds.co.uk. All U18s go free.

Doors open at 5.30pm, with the first of 12 races on the night off at 6.37pm.