Romeo Ruben (Rumble Impact x Fabulous Pin , June 2017) landed the first success of his short career to date at the seventh time of asking writes Mark Pierrepont. 
Bred and owned by Dave Firmager , a huge supporter of British breeding over many years , Ruben was trained to perfection by John Mullins to land the £4,000 to the winner BGBF Puppy Cup Final at Owlerton Stadium , Sheffield last night.
Ruben didn’t have everything his own way though. Patrick Janssens had told Star readers that his blue jacketed, Goldies Allen (Kinloch Brae x Newinn This Way , July 2017), would need a flying start in order to have a chance.  He got just that.  Allen trapped well, showed the best early pace and despite moving to the middle of the track he led at the first turn.
Ominously though , supporters of Allen would have been hugely concerned upon looking in behind them as they headed off the second turn to see Queen Swift (Eden The Kid x Shaws Dilemma , May 2017) and Romeo Ruben both within a length and a half.
One way or another , it appeared likely that the writing was on the wall.  As they approached the third turn , it was Ruben who had drew level with Allen, Swift meanwhile struggling for a run on the inside and checked back , her chance now gone.
Ruben powered around the outside , two lengths clear of Allen by the time they came off the fourth and final turn , the result beyond doubt.  Ruben was not only on the way to the first victory of his career , he was on his way to landing the BGBF British Bred Puppy Cup Final trophy and the £4,000 winners prize that goes with it.
Ruben stopping the clock in a fastest time of the competition 28.95 (normal).  A good nights work for trainer John Mullins, owners / breeder Dave Firmager and the team at Dillymore kennels.
King Idol (Eden The Kid x Shaws Dilemma , May 2017) , sent off the 6/4 favourite for the final for Liz and Rab McNair , Brendan Keogh and the KSS Syndicate,  missed the break half a beat and this was enough to see that he was crowded early , a combination of Goldies Allen moving off, with Fearsome Aria (Geelo Vegas x Fearsome Dee, May 2017) moving in , his chance was all but gone by the first bend.
It’s to Idols credit though that he didn’t give up , he showed good pace along the back straight and tried his upmost to stick with Ruben , eventually going down in second place by just 2 1/2 lengths.  Saving Sonic (Kinloch Brae x Newinn This Way , July 2017) had a poor draw to overcome and the fears of trainer John Mullins were realised early on.
Crowded on the run up by Goldies Allen and the incoming Fearsome Aria.  Sonic was then further hampered on a couple of occasions as he rounded the first couple of bends.
Though beaten 5 1/2 lengths, Sonic has left at least the biggest part of this on the track, he was running on strongly to the pick up once eventually free of crowding.  Keep him in your notebooks for the coming months , particularly when drawn in red.