Local runner Ice On Fire is the 6-1 favourite for the Alconex All England Cup which gets underway at Newcastle on Thursday.
Jimmy Fenwick’s runner, who landed Nottingham’s Puppy Classic has been flying around the Byker venue in trials with a 28.20sec spin last week being his best.
He has avoided all the market leaders in heat five and is expected to win comfortably.
Kennelmate Dilly Dilly, who won an open last week in 28.41sec, and the puppy Droopys Tune are the main dangers.
Last year’s English Derby runner-up, Dundalk International winner and defending champion Droopys Verve can be backed at 13-2.
Angela Harrison’s runner, who got to the Scottish Derby and Steel City Cup finals this year faces a tough test up in the opening heat against Roxholme Glory but is fancied to come through it successfully.
Heat two could be the race of the night with the local Droopys Trapper fancied to prevail. Angela Harrison’s runner, a 14-1 shot ante-post, is given the vote to outpoint fast trialists Roxholme Jim (12-1), who did 28.36sec last week, Bramble Reggie (25-1), who clocked 28.20sec, and Forest Jason, who won a supporting event on Derby final night.
Harrison could have a more winners with Droopys Pilot, 25-1 in the lists, fancied to land heat three and Velvet Juliet (14-1), a 28.25sec trialist chosen to take heat four.
Gary Carmichael’s Freedom Lord, who had won his last three races over course and distance is fancied to land the last qualifier.
Droopys Nadal, Bramble Milburn and talented veteran Nadurra Ross provide the main threats.
Betting: 6 Ice On Fire, 13-2 Droopys Verve, 10 Roxholme Glory, 12 Roxholme Jim, 14 Droopys Trapper, Forest Jason, Velvet Juliet, 20 Droopys Pilot, 25 Bramble Reggie, Droopys Nadal, Nadurra Dutch, Nadurra Ross, 33 bar.
