Billys Bullet lived up to expectations with a stunning victory in his final race – named in his honour – at Hove on Thursday night.

Contesting his 74th outing, the Mark Wallis trained four year was reckoned a bit too old in the tooth to cope with the younger Diego Flight (4-7f) who himself had come back from serious injury. Billy soon led with Diego in close proximity but so it remained with Mark Wallis’ amazing black holding on by a length and a half in 41.56 (-30)

Billy’s winning time was calculated as quicker than his Regency victory back in May. It was also the same Sussex course when he first made his name when winning the Coral Puppy Trophy for Dean Childs. He also won the Prestige at Hall Green for Wallis and is the six bend record holder at Sheffield and Towcester.

Straws from the son of Ace Hi Rumble and Droopys Start will be popular among breeders seeking honest, resilient pups. He was from a great litter that included the 2015 Regency winner Touch Tackle and open race stayer Regency Heights. Dam Droopys Start (Westmead Hawk-Droopys Stacey) – by a double Derby winner out of an Oaks winner – later threw Droopys Roddick and a string of other open racers.

Hove Sunday Lunch August 2015