New track record in the Gold Collar Final

Aayamza Sydney sets new figures to land the Jay & Kay Coach Tours-sponsored final for John Mullins.

If the Sunday 540m feature was the final Cat One to be run at the Kent track, what a way to bow out! The 33-second barrier was breached for the first time and by almost two lengths! A ping break from the John Mullins-trained hound saw Aayamza Sydney always in control. His kennelmate Wrighty overcame a slow start to run on into second.

The September 21 whelp was sent off favourite for the 2023 Gold Collar final but a blown start cost him his chance. There was no mistake this time around, a 12.52 split had the race sewn up early leaving just two questions. How far and how quick? 11 and a quarter lengths was the first answer and a sensational three lengths inside the clock the second.

He was not winning out of turn as one of the most consistent dogs on the circuit. Already a finalist in the Essex Vase, Birmingham Cup and Champion Stakes in 2024, it was a well deserved victory.

Aayamza Sydney with part-owner Lorraine Hyde-Banning after winning the Jay 7 Kay Coach Tours Gold Collar final at Crayford in a record time of 32.85sec
Pic: Paul Duffett/Flame Photos

Grand National – Signet, Sealed and Delivered

Ricky Holloway lands a sixth win in the race and a second in a row for owner Tony Brealey.

Signet Harper trained by Ricky Holloway heads for the line after crashing through the last hurdle to win the 2024 Ladbrokes Grand National final at Crayford on 24/11/24. Chippy Brady (t1) finished 2nd and Traceys Sydney (t4) third behind the 23.56sec winner.
Pic: Paul Duffett/Flame Photos

The red-hot favourite landed the hurdles feature with a minimum of fuss to justify her 1/2 odds. It was the 17th win of her career which has seen all 38 starts coming over obstacles. She has won 11 of her last 14 starts, in flying form since the summer and a semi-final exit from the Champion Hurdle.

Chippy Brady got the better of Traceys Sydney in the battle for second. Barrie Backhurst’s runner was sent off at 18/1 but was running in his second Grand National final, badly hampered in the 2023 running. The third slipped early but it probably only cost Barry O’Sullivan’s charge one place with the winner away and gone.

Signet Harper was one of three winners on the card for Holloway who also scored with Mickeys Tribute and Imonlytwink. Patrick Janssens matched that with a treble of his own made up of Bockos Sapphire, Yahoo Megan and Breton Molly.

Other winners on the card were Elegant Elma for Julie Luckhurst, Shes A Duchess for Jim Reynolds, Untold Paanga for Nathan Hunt and Belinda Green’s Broncos Bullet.

Paul Young lands the Puppy Derby

Bombay Birch continued his rapid assent in Towcester’s feature contest.

Paul Young’s representative is part of a smart looking February 2023 Broadstrand Bono-Change Me litter. His brother Bombay Nutty was also a winner on the card but it was Birch who picked up the feature.

A strong type, he ran down the favourite Ballymac Kobe late on to move Young into the top 10 in the trainer’s standings. He clearly learnt plenty after being beaten on debut, going through the Puppy Derby unbeaten.

The runner-up produced a 4.10 sectional on a track officially marked -50 with the front pair now 33/1 and 66/1 respectively with sponsors Star Sports to return to Towcester to win Derby glory in 2025.

BOMBAY BIRCH (left) stays on well to overhaul long time leader Ballymac Kobe (t1) close home in the English Puppy Derby Final
Towcester 24th November 2024
Photo: © STEVE NASH

BOMBAY BIRCH Puppy Derby winner
Towcester 24th November 2024
Photo: © STEVE NASH

With “Storm Bert” raging at Towcester, the English Puppy Derby presentation was held indoors – where Bombay Birch’s connections received the trophy from Billy Brennan (3rd right). Maisie Bourne battled conditions to parade the Paul Young trained winner.
Towcester 24th November 2024
Photo: © STEVE NASH

Star Pelaw Gala Night

The Gala night to celebrate Star Pelaw was on Sunday with a number of open races on the card. 

It was Mark Bulmer who took the honours, winning six of the 14 races, including the first open on the card with Cloncunny Black. Laughil Rex won the other four bend open for John Watson. A sprint went the way of Robert McCarthy’s Blastoff Cassius while the stayers contest saw Mattys Star spring a 28/1 shock for David Wilkinson.

Daisy proved to be a huge hit.

14 winners on the track at Star Pelaw’s Gala night but perhaps the biggest winner of all were those who had the carvery!

Gone To The Dogs – Live!

Coverage of the PGR Eclipse Final card from Nottingham starts at 7.30pm.

We have a runner-by-runner preview from Patrick Kelly for the 2024 PGR Eclipse Final with the big race off at 9.11. Jonathan Hobbs and Joe Conneely had a quick chat this morning about the Category One final as well as finding Joe’s nap of the night!

Stats

  • Savana You Wish – 3.03 Oxford – 5/7 when in blue.
  • Redbrick Luna – 3.11 Doncaster – 7/11 from trap six.
  • Chelms Maggie – 4.27 Sunderland – 5/7 in A2 grade.
  • Ballymac Solas– 5.39 Doncaster – 5/7 in B2 from trap one.
  • Hazelgrove Flash – 8.59 Kinsley – 7/10 from trap three.

Opens

Monday: Nottingham

Thursday: Swindon

Friday: Romford