JET STREAM ANGEL heads into Saturday’s Arena Racing Company Laurels Final at Perry Barr on Saturday as the fastest semi-final winner after setting the standard at the weekend.

Lining up in the first semi-final, the September 2021 daughter of Droopys Sydney and Jetstream Lynx was quickly away and, matching strides early with Kevin Ferguson’s littermates Acomb Felix and Acomb Johnny, forged to the front approaching the first bend and went on for a three-length success over Acomb Felix in 28.20sec (normal).

Victory continued Jet Stream Angel’s superb record at the Birmingham venue having been awarded last year’s Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks, meaning a notable big-race double could be on the cards on Saturday night.

However, to achieve that, Jet Stream Angel will need to overcome a double challenge from Kevin Ferguson’s team given Acomb Irene landed the third semi-final to ensure two members of the March 2021 Hiya Butt and Acomb Ruby litter will be aiming to land a second Category One triumph for their owner, breeder and trainer.

Acomb Irene, runner-up to Acomb Felix in last month’s BGBF British Breeders Stakes at Nottingham, finished best to edge the always handy Wicky Hiker (Phil Barlow) by a neck in 28.51sec (normal) in a contest in which hot favourite Links Maverick but could never shake off rivals inside and out before finishing third.

Like Kevin Ferguson, Doncaster trainer Phil Barlow will be doubly handed in Saturday’s £12,500 final after Brickwork Ruck stayed on well behind Tony Harmes’s second semi-final winner Kilwest Ranger as the Perry Barr runner cheered the locals.

An October 2021 son of Droopys Sydney and Ballymac Sanjose – a litter brother of Brighton Belle favourite Crafty Shivoo – Kilwest Ranger was always handy outside off a fast break before leading at the turn on his way to a two-length success over Brickwork Ruck in 28.30sec for the 480m trip.

Saturday’s final will see two British-bred runners go for Category One gold at Perry Barr and Liz Mort, chair of the British Greyhound Breeders Forum (BGBF), is looking forward to a good weekend – especially given three British-bred runners will also line up in the Coral Brighton Belle Final at Hove.

Mort said: “It’s fantastic to see these British-breds going for two major competitions, so it’s a definite well done to Kevin Ferguson with his Acombs at Perry Barr, to the McNairs and the KSS Syndicate with their Queens at Hove, and also to Kevin Hutton with Southfield Daisy in the same Brighton Belle final.

“She’s out of Kevin’s prolific Forest Natalee, while Acomb Ruby is the dam of Acomb Felix and Acomb Irene who did so well for Kevin (Ferguson) in our British Breeders Stakes at Nottingham. The Queens from the McNair kennel at Hove are by Queen Jessiej, who threw the brilliant Queen Joni, and Queen Charlotte is the dam of their Queen Dusty.

“It’s a tremendous achievement from them all and I’ll be sure to be keeping tabs with them all come Saturday – it’s going to be a busy night!

“Then again it’s a busy time also moving forward. The month of May sees the latest running of our BGBF British Bred Maiden Derby at Newcastle, starting on May 9. Entries close at noon on May 6, with the final on May 23.

“Then it’s on to Sunderland for the Harry Williams Memorial Evening on June 28, which promises to be a great night to honour and remember a special man.

“The BGBF are sponsoring the Harry Williams Blue Artisan British Bred 450m. It’s the night before the Derby final at Towcester, so it’ll be back down there the next morning for the BGBF TruFrame Champions Stakes Final!”

Trap draw for Saturday’s final: 1 Acomb Felix, 2 Wicky Hiker, 3 Jet Stream Angel, 4 Acomb Irene (m), 5 Brickwork Ruck (m), 6 Kilwest Ranger (w).