The GAIN Nutrition Three Steps To Victory is a unique event in the open race calendar and was first staged back in 2003 when it was staged over the 280m, 480m and 500m course. The £5,000 first prize went to Elaine Parker’s Tucks Mein.
Local trainers dominated in the early years with Barrie Draper landing the following year’s forecast with half brothers Farloe Hack and Farloe Digital. After a break of eight years, the ‘Three Steps’ returned with its current 480-500-660 format and went to another local, John Sharp’s 25-1 outsider Clerihan Gold.
The first ‘outside’ trainer to land the event was Charlie Lister (who else!) with 9-2 chance Hather George in 2013, Romeo Recruit was the beaten favourite.
Perhaps the most famous winner of all though was Ballymac Eske the following year. In his final race, the Barrie Draper trained fawn romped up by 10 lengths in a new track record.
Roxholme Dream started favourite for the 2015 decider but found two too good in a three-way photo. Farneys Cookie and Russanda Brax took the forecast places. ‘Boony’ was back with Shaneboy Freddie the following year but the locals were having none of it with the brilliant blue Geelo Sapphire triumphant for Carl Perry and Geelo Racing.
The runner-up on the night, Swift Hansel was back the following year and went one better for Anna Thompson.
2019 saw the return of Ballymac Eske through his daughter Bull Run Button, and in 2020 we had the all conquering Roxholme Kristof (4-9f) who landed the final by eight lengths in 38.57 having broken the 480 clock in the first round.
2021 was noteworthy for all the wrong reasons, notably the withdrawal with a cracked hock of Maximum Security (what a return this has been) and the disqualification for deliberate interference of second favourite Lemming Caesar. The 39.14 winner was Savana Eruption.
As for tonight’s decider, the views of the sponsor’s representative and keen greyhound supporter Sean Traynor can be found underneath the form for race 8.
GAIN’s representative Sean Traynor has been following the event with great interest.
He says: ” It’s been a great competition this year with track record going in the 480 with Sean Davy Trained Nolas Beauty. I see the final . . .
Maximum Security – can’t afford to miss the break as the race stats on the bend.
Coolavanny Aunty – was my original pick before the start of the competition and after I can’t see past her after her improvement in the semi final.
Nolas Beauty – what a change in her after switching kennels to Sean Davy but I really don’t see her staying the trip.
Russian Sammy Trap 4 will definitely stay the trip but I can’t see him getting a run.
Flying Ada will see out the 660 trip fully and if any trouble inside will take full advantage of it.
Twice Lucky has performed above himself and has been a credit to his trainr Colin Wilton but I don’t see him staying the trip strong enough.
So for me 2-5-1
Betting: 6-4jf Coolavanny Aunty, Maximum Security, 8-1 Flying Ada, Nolas Beauty, 14-1 Russian Sammy, 16-1 Twice Lucky
