Naochra lands a thrilling Northern Flat decider

Naochra lands a thrilling Northern Flat decider

Naochra was the star of the show on a big night at Newcastle on Thursday.

John Flaherty’s dog came out on top in a thrilling final of the Time Greyhound Nutrition Northern Flat to claim the £12,500 first prize in front of the Gone To The Dog – Live! cameras at the Byker circuit.

It was an eventful culmination to the Category One competition with Naochra first to show along with Slingshot Shaz, while Unanimous Leon also paced up into contention as that trio did battle for the lead round the opening turns.

Unanimous Leon came together with Naochra entering the back straight and that allowed Hardwick Mighty to get into challenge and he kicked clear at the third bend.

However, Naochra wasn’t done and the 9/2 chance showed tremendous determination to rally up the home straight, getting up in the dying strides to deny Hardwick Mighty by a neck in 28.66.

Speaking to Gone To The Dogs – Live!, Flaherty praised his dog’s will to win: “He’s a hardy wee dog and you’re never beat with him.

“He’d been a bit unlucky in the heats and in the semi-final, so I was always a wee bit confident with him if he could get a clear run. As it turned out, he didn’t get a clean run but he was always going to battle.

“He’s come from behind a few times and he’s a genuine wee dog.

"He'll probably go to Monmore next (for the Gold Cup) and, if he's fit, we'll come back here for the All England Cup later in the year."

Deliveroo, the 15/8 favourite, was a short head back in third and his kennelmate Droopys Bookem a further half a length behind in fourth.

Jimmy Fenwick, who won the Northern Flat 12 months ago with Wicky Ned, had another good night as he took the Arena Racing Company Angel Of The North final courtesy of Skeard Josie.

Skeard Josie started well but Dominoh Hoo Hoo showed a smart burst of early speed to turn in front and she kicked clear after forcing the winner to check off the second bend.

Skeard Josie recovered well to challenge turning for home and then stayed on strongly to score in 28.73 at 6/1 from Killieford Hanna, who finished with a wet sail to beaten just a short head.

Dominoh Hoo Hoo finished third and the 7/4 favourite, Coppice Saphire (fifth), never got into the race.

That completed treble on the night for Fenwick, whose Coppice Gracie (4/6fav) sparked emotional scenes when landing the Arena Racing Company Bitches final.

The 2021 daughter of Dorotas Wildcat suffered an injury in the final of the BGBF Breeders Stakes in March last year and was off the track for 16 months before returning to finish second in the heats of this event.

Coppice Gracie took a bump out of the boxes but still had far too much early speed for her rivals as she roared into an early lead. 

She went clear down the far side as Makeit Mead chased hard in behind and laid it down to the favourite in the dying strides, but Coppice Gracie had just enough in the tank to hold on for a head success in 28.66 (+20).

It was a fantastic training performance by Fenwick, who also won the Arena Racing Company Standard final with Ballymac Lineout.

Tyne Tees Richie put the pace to the race but the strong-running Ballymac Lineout turned close in behind and it looked to be a matter of time before the 2/1 winner hit the front.

Ballymac Lineout made her move turning for home and powered clear for an impressive one-and-three-quarter-length success in 28.56 (+10).

With the race named in honour of his former kennelmate, it was fitting that Slingshot Gazza won the Slingshot Sam Maiden Standard for Brian Fairburn.

The 5/6 favourite made full use of the room he got on the run-up to blaze a trail and posted a pleasing 28.46 (+20) as he crossed the line a length and a quarter ahead of Loxleys Rex.

Fairburn doubled up in the 640m contest with his recent Irish recruit Clona Ice, who looked a stayer with a bright future when justifying 5/6 favouritism by three lengths from Sunnyside Broxi in 38.47 (+20).

Local handler Stuart Ray did the business with his only runner on the card as Blackhouse Lewi took the Arena Racing Company Puppy final in fine style.

The 11/4 winner ran a lovely first two bends to take it up from Howay Tonali and raced clear of that rival for a two-and-a-half-length success in a rapid 28.37 (+20).

There was plenty of interest in the marathon contest over 895m and while Salacres Belleza made 2/5 backers sweat a little, Peter Harnden’s bitch eventually proved too strong and stayed on to beat Jacktavern Usain by two and a half lengths in 56.41 (+40).

The Glenn Foot-trained Jacktavern Chief (30/100fav) gained some compensation for his unlucky semi-final exit in the Northern Flat when making all with ease over 480m with a smart 28.35 (+20) effort.

Savvva Roberts got on the scoresheet when his Stonepark Hoffa displayed electric early speed to scoot clear in the 290m sprint contest and the 8/13 favourite came home three and three-quarter lengths ahead of Sunnyside Jayden in 16.68.

Coolavanny Mercy won the closing 480m contest with the ease her odds of 1/5 suggested she won and beat Glengar Luna by two and a half lengths in 28.69.

Upcoming Opens

Friday: Romford ♦ Sunderland

Saturday: Hove ♦ Monmore ♦ Perry Barr ♦ Oxford ♦ Yarmouth

Sunday: Star Pelaw ♦ Towcester