Heilbron triple-handed in Newcastle's Northern Flat final

Heilbron squad out in force

It could be a huge night for Tom Heilbron at Newcastle on Thursday.

The Gone To The Dogs – live! cameras will be at the Byker circuit for the gala card and the local trainer has 13 runners in total over the 12 races.

That includes three representatives in the Time Greyhound Nutrition Northern Flat final, which takes centre stage along with the Arena Racing Company Angel Of The North final.

“We do a lot of travelling throughout the year, so when big competitions come around on home soil then we’ll quite happily come and take our chance,” said Heilbron.

“It’s a lot easier on the staff when you’re loading two vans to Newcastle instead of a van down to Oxford, or somewhere like that.

“We have a lot of local owners, so it’s nice they can get there and see their dogs running.

“We’re very happy to get three into the Northern Flat final, we just need lady luck to shine on us on Thursday night.”

Heilbron has the favourite in the Northern Flat final courtesy of Droopys Bookem, the Derby semi-finalist who was back on song with an impressive success in the semi-finals last week.

He was beaten in the heats but his trainer thinks he needed that first run back and it is all systems go for the decider.

He added: “He had a really hard Derby campaign but he did us proud and was desperate for the break afterwards, so he had a couple of weeks off.

“He’s the type of dog you will see the best of when he is running regularly, so he was a little behind himself in his trial and in the first round, but he was back to his best last week.

“He did it well. He’s gone up with them, turned handy and once he led off the second bend, it was a case of how far.

“He’s got his draw in the final, we just hope he holds his own to the turn, and either turns in front again or turns handy.

Unanimous Leon also represents Link Kennels in the main event and he kept on well for second place last week after losing ground when being forced to check at the first bend.

The trainer continued: “He surprised me because I know it was only a four-dog race, but he’s not the type to come from behind, so it shows he definitely still wants it.

“He just got outpaced early after he missed the break completely for him. Hopefully that’s his missed break gone.

“He was off for a while as he got a bad injury before the Laurels semi-final at Perry Barr, so he should still be coming forward.

“He used to be a middle seed so we’re not too concerned about him being out in trap five. He’s going to have to come out under the bars anyway, we know that, and if he does, then he’s very capable. 

“When he gets off the front, he’s a proper dog. I think this is his fourth Category One final and it would be nice if he could get over the line.

Deliveroo is another who won his heat before finishing second in the semis, but Heilbron still sees him as a big player in the £12,500-to-the-winner decider.

He explained: “He’s a great little dog. Ben (Collins, owner) puts a lot into the game and he deserves a good one. 

“He’s a real consistent type and always improves for a couple of looks round a track.

“He did 28.36 in the first round and if those sorts of dogs get loose, then they don’t often get pulled back. He’s got a dream draw being the sole wide seed.”

Heilbron also has Dominoh Hoo Hoo in the Angel Of The North final and her handler liked what he saw from her in her semi-final victory.

“She ran well last week and her season dates suggests she should still be coming forward,” Heilbron said.

“She is getting stronger with the trip but it’s that brute early pace of hers I like and if she gets off the front, she has every chance.

“Obviously, if Coppice Saphire turns handy then we’re all in trouble, but if we get on the bunny then you take your chance.”

On an excellent support card, Brinkleys Louis features in the ARC Standard final but Heilbron knows his charge will have to raise his game after finishing third in the heats.

He explained: “He needs to come forward. He’s very hit or miss with his form at the moment. He has put some good trials in but then he hasn’t reproduced it in his races.

“He can definitely come away better than he did last week but he needs to get off the front and needs a bit of luck to win that final.”

In the ARC Puppy final, he has Deerjet Rocket, who is undoubtedly capable but has been a little inconsistent so far.

Heibron went on: “A very frustrating dog, I’ll be honest. 

“He has plenty of ability and when he did pop out a few weeks ago, he did 28.66 at Newcastle and won easy. He’s very puppy-like and he is messing around at the boxes, so you never know what you’re going to get. Hopefully, we get a going day on Thursday."

It’s good to see a marathon race on the card in the shape of the ARC Super Stayers over 895m and Heilbron sends out Toddys Thunder in the hope of landing the £895 first prize.

He said: “She seemed to have lost her love for the game, so we laid her off for a while and she came back with a terrific 15.87 sprint trial at Sunderland. Then, she was a bit flat last week but we just thought we’d try her over the longer trip to see if she can get on the bunny and maybe she puts it all together. 

“She’s very strange at the moment but the track has made the effort and we wanted to show our support.”