A boozy bored afternoon on a Benidorm balcony led to the unlikely journey of Spur Rebel to becoming the sales bargain of the year.

On Tuesday night, the October puppy contested his first open at Sheffield, following an unbeaten sequence in A4, A4, A3, and A2 and romped up in 27.50. (TR 27.25). He was snapped up on behalf of owner Ray Patterson by Ted Soppitt who will train him going forward.

Ted said: “Lance Taylorson was telling me that he was on holiday in Benidorm and was a bit bored following the sale at Cork. The dog had one trial on his card and Lance paid £300 sterling for him.

‘I knew he was pretty useful but that run at Sheffield really amazed me. He had already done a 3.10 sectional and then produced a 3.07 in that race. The only two dogs I have seen to compare with that early this year are Churchfield Syd and Links Maverick.

“Ray had also told me to keep an eye open for the right dog, and he is the best I have seen in a while. I think the plan is to change his name to Skywalker Tonali after the new Newcastle signing.

“At this stage, I’m really thinking about the Romford Puppy Cup with him.”