Blue Riband Glory For Skyhigh ‘Boris’

Ivy Hill Skyhigh made it fourth time lucky as he landed the 2022 Premarket Pets Blue Riband Final on Sunday for trainer Mark Wallis and his dedicated team of owners Peter Curtis , Eamon Johnstone and Steve Oliver.  Having previously lined up in no fewer than 3 Category One Finals throughout 2021 the ultra-tough and consistent ‘Skyhigh’ finally gained the big competition success both his talent and his determination deserved.  After finishing runner up in the Laurels Final at Perry Barr last April ‘Boris’ as he is affectionately known to those closest to him went on to make final appearances in both the Sussex Cup at Hove and most recently the Summer Stayers at Monmore.  As a June 2018 whelp it won’t be too long before he reaches veteran status but his form in recent weeks has been that of a greyhound who currently retains all of his enthusiasm for the game.

In what was a messy final things could so easily have gone wrong for ‘Boris’.  Kevin Hutton’s Signet Otis had led up however as he cut the bend Bryce Canyon was brought down in behind and this also resulted in kennel mate Drumcrow Brent coming down too.  There are often millimetres between failure and glory and had Boris not been so alert here then he could so easily have gone crashing out of this final before he reached the second turn.  Alert he managed to avoid his kennel mate and from that point on set about catching Hutton’s ever improving Otis who was setting the fractions upfront.  It’s to the credit of Hutton’s greyhound that it was only right on the line that he was eventually reeled in.  There may have been a small amount of disappointment on the day but it was a run that highlighted the strengthening up of a greyhound who looks all set to enjoy a superb year.

Thorn Falcon trained by Patrick Janssens and sent off the even money favourite for the final looked to be a super position heading into the turn.  Having trapped well he lay a handy second to ‘Otis’ but he too found himself involved in the trouble between the first two bends.  Though regaining his stride he could only watch on as the strong running Ivy Hill Skyhigh had taken up second and though he tried with all of his might it was always going to be a near on impossible task to back run one of the strongest running four bend greyhounds currently in training.

Mark Wallis said “It was a bit of a mixed final really and extremely tough for myself to watch.  Thankfully both Bryce Canyon and Drumcrow Brent appear none the worse for wear after their tumbles but will obviously be thoroughly checked out.  As for ‘Boris’ what can I say.  He’s such a tough greyhound who really deserves this having reached 3 big finals last year.  I’m thrilled for his owners Peter , Eamon and Steve , they’re great supporters of the kennel and love ‘Boris’ to bits , I’m just delighted that he has won a big one for them all”.

As for the £500 prize to be distributed to the kennel hand of the winning greyhound on behalf of Patrick and Premarket Pets Mark said “Emily obviously paraded Boris today and she absolutely adores him.  It’s a team effort at Imperial kennels though and we’ll split that amongst them all.  It’s another great touch from Patrick.  We really have had a great day”.

Owner Eamon Johnstone was clearly very emotional at the presentation showing clearly the hold these wonderful greyhounds have over us all in the sport.  Eamon said “We’re just so overcome with it all.  He really deserved this win , such a lovely greyhound and a brilliant attitude.  I’d really like to thank the team here at the track we’ve had a great day up in the restaurant and Patrick deserves huge praise for some wonderful sponsorship.  I’d also like to thank Noel Browne who sent ‘Boris’ over to us.  He told us he was a good dog , he was right but I just can’t believe quite how good he’s been”.

Sponsor Patrick Janssens said “It’s been a great competition and I’m delighted to have been able to put a little back into the game through my Premarket Pets business.  Thorn Falcon has done us proud he’s done what he had to do and come away but has just got himself a bit tangled up with the crowding at the turn.  The main thing as always is that the greyhounds are all safe and sound and what a deserving winner.  I’m delighted for the owners he’s such a tough greyhound and has been excellently trained by Mark and the team.  Thanks once again to Nathan and the team here at Towcester they’ve been an absolute pleasure to deal with and I’m really looking forward to a great year of open racing here at the track”.

Nathan Corden representing Towcester said “What a great winner.  Obviously we’d have liked to have seen a totally clean run race but thankfully all runners seem fine and that as always to all of us greyhound lovers in the sport is the main thing each and every time.  What a gutsy winner though I’m delighted for connections and it’s great to see once again how much a big win like this really means.  I’d like to thank Patrick for his sponsorship through his Premarket Pets company.  He’s been great to deal with , a man who obviously understands the sport inside out and though his Thorn Falcon couldn’t quite take the money home I’m sure he’s in for another big year in 2022 as he just seems to be getting better and better”.