Near veteran Walshes Hill put the younger brigade in their place by setting the standard in the heats of the Category One Bresmed Northern Sprint over 280 metres at Sheffield on Tuesday night.
Jimmy Wright’s dog, who will be four next month, blasted clear from traps and scored a three and a half length victory over Bramble Bruno in 15.75sec.
Lynn Cook’s up and coming Suirside Leah landed the opening qualifier.
The Nottingham bitch made the opening turn in front and went on to beat Clonacunny Ardera by a length and a half in 15.93sec.
Ballybee Brewery, one of the favourites for the competition, was eliminated from the event in heat two.
Liz McNair’s runner was bumped out of contention in a race that was won by Hayley Keightley’s Target Harris, who rode the trouble to go clear from the turn and beat Uluru Candy by just over two lengths in 15.92sec.
Kim Billingham’s 6-1 chance Sporting Captain was another to ride an early bump in the third qualifier and he went on to defeat Comrades All by a length in 16.16sec.
The locals got on the score sheet in heat four when Barrie Draper’s Worsboro Spectre led from trap to line to beat National Sprint winner Scolari Sound by a head in 16.06sec.
Mac Foiche impressed in the penultimate qualifier for trainer Richard Devenish. The Peterborough raider flew out and made all to beat Damson Jam by almost two lengths in 15.85sec.
The draw for next Tuesday’s semi-finals will be made tomorrow.
