LEE WESTWOOD will be hoping to celebrate a sporting success with a difference tomorrow evening when one of his greyhounds runs in the final of the prestigious Arena Racing Company Northern Puppy Derby at Newcastle Greyhound Stadium.

Westwood, who is the retained professional at Northumberland course Close House and spent the weekend competing in the WGC World Matchplay competition in the United States, owns Dannid with Andrea Wylie, who has previously owned a string of top-class racehorses with her husband, Graham.

Dannid, an almost two-year old black puppy, is named after Tynesider Danni Dee, who is the artist director and performer at Boulevard, Newcastle.

Tomorrow’s final, which takes place at 8.12pm, showcases some of greyhound racing’s rising canine stars.

While it will be staged behind-closed-doors because of coronavirus restrictions, the action from Newcastle will be screened live on Sky Sports Racing.

The favourite for tomorrow’s final is Jaguar Macie, who is trained by Graham Rankin for owner Anthony Armstrong.

Jaguar Macie is aiming for a category one double after winning last month’s £12,500 Ladbrokes Puppy Derby at Monmore Green.

She has won six of her last seven races and was named the RPGTV/GWA Greyhound of the Month for February in recognition of her impressive recent performances and successes.

Neither Jaguar Macie nor Dannid will have things their own way though, with the tough competition including champion trainer Patrick Janssens’ Bockos Melody, who matched Jaguar Macie’s semi-final time and seems to be peaking at just the right moment.

Ian Walton, general manager at Newcastle Greyhound Stadium, said: “We’re very much looking forward to an exciting night of racing and wish the best of luck to all connections.

“The Northern Puppy Derby is a race that our staff and fans all treasure and this year’s final certainly looks set to be an exhilarating and competitive race. We are hugely thankful for Arc for their sponsorship.

“Of course, it will not be the same without our owners and fans here to cheer their greyhounds on but we are pleased that our reopening on May 17 is fast approaching.

"Our sport brings so much joy to so many people and we cannot wait to reopen our doors once again.”