Wicky Ned dazzles in 3 Steps semis

Ned stars at Sheffield

Wicky Ned set the standard in the semi-finals of the Time Greyhound Nutrition 3 Steps To Victory at Sheffield on Sunday afternoon.

Jimmy Fenwick’s star won as his odds of 1/4 suggested he would, pacing up well into an early lead and maintaining a furious march to beat Arthur Job by four and three-quarter lengths.

The reigning Greyhound of the Year clocked an excellent 28.45 for the 500m trip to qualify for the final of the unique tri-distance event.

Chelms Bear didn’t get anywhere near that time but was arguably just as impressive in his victory.

Carrick Fergie, who went fastest over 480m last week, raced into an early lead and really stretched them out, with Chelms Bear left with a mountain to climb after crowing around the opening two bends.

However, the Craig Morris-trained winner took off when seeing daylight down the back straight and began to eat up the ground on the leader. Still with plenty to do off the last bend, Chelms Bear flew home and collared the 4/6 favourite right on the line to register a stunning success by a short head in 28.86.

Kilmore Dancer was a red-hot 30/100 favourite for the third semi-final but he couldn’t reel in Droopys Extragud, who won by three-quarters of a length for Mark Wallis in a time of 28.97.

Brinkleys Louis set the early fractions but was passed by Droopys Extragud at the halfway mark and Heather Dimmock’s 5/1 chance set sail for home.

Kilmore Dancer pressed the winner on the run in but couldn’t get by and had to settle for second place.

The £10,000-to-the-winner final over 660m will take place on Sunday 6th July, here is the draw:

There were three other opens on the card and Kevin Ferguson landed two of them, starting with Acomb Felix in the first division of the Owlerton Stadium Standard.

The 4/9 favourite quicky assumed command of the 500m event and never looked like being caught, as he crossed the line two lengths clear of Slippy Keith in 29.04 (-10).

His kennelmate Acomb Johnny also made all in the Owlerton Stadium Sprint, as he upset Rocking Taylor (2/5fav) to score by a length and three-quarters in 16.03.

Division two of the Owlerton Stadium Standard went the way of Rose Draper’s Distant Flow, who showed the early speed to turn in front and went clear for a two-and-a-half-length victory over Dapper Ted in 28.97.

There were also three opens at Towcester where Romeo Ability (2/5fav) landed the odds with ease over 500m.

The Patrick Janssens-trained dog was in command early doors and pulled three and three-quarters lengths clear of Fabulous Livia for a convincing victory in 28.91.

Mustang Razor was too sharp for his rivals as he made all for Jean Liles in the 500m maiden contest in 29.41, while Paul Philpott’s Toomevera Sheera (11/2) powered home to strike in 15.89 (+5) in the sprint contest.