“I have five dogs in the kennel who are capable of winning an English Derby. Deelish Frankie is definitely one of them.”

Deelish Frankie went into the £20K Premier Greyhound Racing (Monmore) Puppy Derby Final having won four of his first seven races and was drawn in trap four . . .

Trainer Patrick Janssens wasn’t present for the final – he was at Yarmouth – but was due to attend a barbecue celebration at joint owner John Porter’s pub in Newmarket, the Affleck Arms, the following lunchtime. And he wasn’t expecting a quiet celebration with ‘the German’ present.

He explains: “I heard about Deelish Frankie from a friend in Ireland. He had been bred by an Englishman who had bought the dam from Liam Dowling and bred the litter. A trial was set-up with his litter brother The Bold Freddie at Youghal. Frankie was beaten by his brother but I liked the look of him.

“We agreed a deal and I took a share with Evan Herbert and John Porter. Anyway, when we were in the pub, ‘The German’ (Stefan Vogt) said he was interested in buying a dog. I told him, he could have my share but he wasn’t taking over. The Germans might have invaded Belgium in 18 days but he wasn’t taking over Frankie!.

“The whole thing has been a great laugh. There are a whole bunch of them from Newmarket following the dog and most of them are slightly mad. I think they took four tables at Monmore and have been there for all his races. They are so up for it.

“This is exactly what greyhound racing should be about. Great enthusiasts and a bit of banter. Much as I love Towcester, and I do, I wish their big nights racing were in the evening and not the afternoon. You need the atmosphere of big crowds to bring greyhound racing to life.”

Frankie was only 17 months old when he clocked 29.47 over the Derby course but Patrick has plans for other races before returning to his home track.

He said: “I said to the owners that we had an option of Newcastle or Monmore, but not both, and Monmore was the richest and most prestigious. But there is now a two-run puppy event at Hove, before possibly another run on Judgement Night (Monmore) and then prepare for the Derby.

“I will probably have 10 entered for the Derby but I have five dogs in the kennel who are capable of winning an English Derby. Deelish Frankie is definitely them, he is a very very fast greyhound. The others would be Fabulous Azurra, Thorn Falcon, Lautaro and Coolavanny Shado”

Shado, bought after clocking 28.28 (-10) in his first race at Tralee, was due to contest his second trial today. He clocked 15.73 (calc) on his first sighter at Towcester. He has since followed that up with a 15.62 run (TR 15.45).

DEELISH FRANKIE. Puppy Derby presentation (That’s the German in the hat!) Photo: © Steve Nash

Patrick Jannsens’ kennel team proudly pose with Puppy Derby champ Deelish Frankie. Ria Tillett has the trophy whilst Kelly Bakewell takes charge of the £20K prize money. (Both were last seen heading to Birmingham airport) Photo: © Steve Nash