Less than half a length covers the Arena Racing Company Northern Puppy Derby semi winners

A pair of Ballymacs just quickest at Newcastle 

Luck plays a huge part in progressing in puppy competitions and there were a couple of unlucky losers in the Arena Racing Company Northern Puppy Derby semi-finals last night. They will go home to lick their wounds but the final six have now been set and on the winning times, we should be set for a close and fascinating decider next Thursday night.

Ballymac Buddy won the opening semi for Ted Soppitt. He clocked 28.69, quick into stride alongside Woltemade for Jimmy Fenwick, and the pair would dominate. John Flaherty's Copney Queen who was quickest in the opening round took a stumble after a few strides, before getting bumped at the bend, doing well in the end to get as close to the first two home as she did.

That time was equalled by Ballymac Service in the final semi. The Fenwick-trained youngster had things to himself after pacing up best to the opening turn and avoiding the trouble that was to befall the favourite, Goldcash Warrior for Nathan Hunt. Again, it was a case of a remarkable run from that runner to get as close as he did, with Brian Fairbairn's Slingshot Major taking the other spot in the final.

Although Carol Weatherall's Backtoyourbest was the slowest of the three semi-final winners, he produced a run of 28.72. His two main market rivals walked out and he needed no second invitation to take advantage, doing everything right himself from the front. Mossend Brute chased him home for Savva Roberts to book his place in the final .

There were another three open races on the undercard where Debbie Calvert picked up another win from Sole Focus. It's his sixth victory in his last seven starts, clocking 28.67. It is going to be interesting to see just how much more he can improve.

Two spots slower than Sole Focus was Crafty Kido, giving Roberts a winner. The youngster already has wins at Oxford and Sunderland on the board, so he clearly has no issues with varying tracks, pinging out and making the best of his way home from an early stage last night.

Droopys Bookem made his first race appearance since finishing runner-up in the All England Cup just after Christmas. Tom Heilbron's charge stayed on too powerfully for his rivals. It was his fifth win for Heilbron on a rare run outside of Category One company.

Hove trebles for Green and Heath 

A full book of 12 opens at Hove last night saw half of them split between Belinda Green and Jason Heath. Raebella Bullet kicked off Green's treble. The Oaks finalist had to bide her time but she showed nice middle gears to get herself to the front at the third bend, ending the winning sequence of Scooby The Lady in the process.

Untold Aave closed out the card to complete the treble, continuing her march up the levels. She timed her challenge well, grabbing the lead in the final few strides to land her first open having been in an A7 at the track this time last year. August saw her land an A5 and the progression has been rapid since. 

The middle leg of the Green treble came from Dave Allthe Way. He'd won his Maiden Trophy heat last week but was relatively unconsidered by punters, with Head For Home sent off the 1/1 favourite. Green's black-jacketed runner pinged out and made all of the running. 

Jason Heath picked up two of his three winners over six bends, with Rules For Some the quicker of the pair. It was her fifth open race win over the 695m test and her 13th overall for her career. 

Hopes Candy had taken on some stronger rivals in six-bend opens ahead of last night. The slight drop in class enabled her to pick up her first success at the level, with her stamina coming into play late on. She has stepped up plenty for moving up from four bends, and timed her challenge well.

Heath's treble was completed by Droopys Deploy who was getting off the mark for the kennel. He was another who was taking on a lesser contest, a genuine Category One performer, he was sent off short odds in the end, beating one who has been plying his trade over further in Droopys Extragud.

There was a double on the evening for Richard Rees. Avarua Lake continued the unbeaten start to his career but he was made to work very hard in the sprint contest by Elite Liberty. Zenith Rocket got the night underway with a winner for Rees, getting the best of an early paced battle.

Blackstone Opera made it three wins in a row for Seamus Cahill. She has really got the bit between her teeth at present and this May 24 whelp looks capable of stepping up still further on her form. It was three wins in four for David Dark's Ballydoyle Eile, leading up a bitches contest and running her rivals into the ground. 

Paul Young was on the scoresheet courtesy of Underground Jim, another who made every yard. He was getting off the mark for his new kennel at the third time of asking. The other open on the night went to Patrick Browne's Gingers Tali. Her Standard Trophy win was her third in her last five starts.