Flo looks good to go in Northern decider.

Byline: Jonathan Kay

DROOPYS FLO will need to break better than seven days ago, but Jimmy Wright's bitch does look to have decent claims of reversing heat form with Sniper Petra to land the pounds 1,500 Colin Harney Northern Oaks final over 470m at Belle Vue tonight (9.22, live on SIS).

Sniper Petra showed brilliant early pace to race clear last week, but was coming back late on and, with that first experience of the Manchester track under her belt, Droopys Flo is fancied to stay closer to the action on this occasion.

The sole wide seed in the lineup, she arguably has stronger overall form than Sniper Petra, with a victory over Betfred Laurels champion Sunoak Crystal at Coventry last month reading particularly well.

Even a four lengths third to subsequent William Hill All England Cup winner Boherna Best in the Newcastle semis is a pretty respectable effort.

Sniper Petra's winning heat time was easily the quickest of the night and this does seem a race which, barring unforeseen drama, will concern just her and Droopys Flo, so Gary Carmichael's bitch merits maximum respect. However, the value will arguably be in siding with her big rival.

Wright could also be on the mark in the first open of the night, a 470m puppy contest at 8.36, where his Droopys Kentucky can make it four wins from five career starts.

His only reverse came when fluffing his lines at the start in a William Hill Northern Puppy Derby heat at Sunderland last month, but he has shown plenty of pace in subsequent victories at Sheffield and Newcastle.

Hesley Dingo may have a fitness advantage over a returning Karma Peaches in the 8.52 over 590m, while Bower Surfer can make it four wins on the bounce by taking the 9.07 over 670m.

The other open action is at Henlow, where Liz McNair's Droopys Bogart can complete a course-and-distance hat-trick by getting first run on Westmead Bolt in the 10.00 over 460m.

CAPTION(S):

Droopys Kentucky should be on the mark for Jimmy Wright on Belle Vue's Bags card