The £20,000 Premier Greyhound Racing All England Cup semi-finals on Thursday are set to showcase top-class racing, with last week's heats at Newcastle's Byker venue revealing notable performances and a formidable local challenge. Swift Silly, under the guidance of trainer Ray Hale, set the standard for the north-east, emphasising their significant role in the £20,000 Category One competition.
Newcastle's general manager, Ian Walton, expressed anticipation for the upcoming semi-finals and highlighted the strong showing from local contenders in the heats. He acknowledged the exceptional performance of Swift Silly and commended Ray Hale and connections for her impressive heat win. Walton also recognised the quality displayed in the heats, emphasizing the wide-open nature of the competition.
Looking ahead to the semi-finals, Walton noted the favourable weather conditions and the excellent track condition, contributing to the excitement surrounding the event. He predicted an exciting final on Thursday, December 28, bridging the gap between Christmas and the New Year.
Swift Silly's victory in heat one, covering the 480m trip in 28.72 seconds, showcased the local talent, with Skywalker Pele and Pape Di Oro qualifying for the semi-finals. Witton Venus, under Jill Sutherst's care, secured another local victory in heat two, while Coppice Rocket and Droopys Eddie also advanced to the semi-finals.
Jimmy Fenwick's Coppice Kaiser claimed victory in heat three, with Glengar Bridie and Jonny Whiskers qualifying for the semi-finals. In heat four, Burj Khalifa emerged victorious, with Brookside Richie securing a spot in the semi-finals. Heat five saw Tom Heilbron's Bogger Rambo clinching an all-the-way victory, while Wrighty, under John Mullins, wrapped up the night with a victory in heat six.
Walton praised the strong field of contenders, including those who qualified from the Sunderland Classic, and expressed confidence in an exciting and competitive conclusion to the Premier Greyhound Racing All England Cup.