“The owner said, ‘I’m going to get you a special pup’. When he arrived, I looked at his Irish form and thought, ‘this is shit’.”

Trainer David Mullins can have a laugh at his own expense after seeing his 6-1 chance Troy Zico land his first ever open race – the final of the Cat 1 Ladbrokes Puppy Derby at Monmore.

With most interest on the three semi final winners drawn three-four-five, most punters anticipated the wide running black shooting clear on the outside, and it then being a case of which of the three hotpots would give him a run.

Instead, Zico missed his break (though not as badly as the favourite who stumbled badly at the start)- his split was still 10 spots down on the semi final – and Zico crossed the sectional in fourth place. The railers duly came together at the bend and Zico took the opportunity to shoot clear off the second bend.

Troy Zico (t6) steers a wide course on the run up in the Ladbrokes Puppy Derby Final, as Seaglass Tiger (t4 centre shot), Droopys Cruiser (t2), Heathlawn Heidi (t1) and rails searching Roman Empire (t5 right) approach the first bend. Out of luck odds on Toolmaker Me Dad is virtually hidden at the back after stumbling badly at the start. Monmore 16th March 2019 Photo: © Steve Nash

TROY ZICO (t6) wins the Ladbrokes Puppy Derby Final from Seaglass Tiger (t4 right). Photo: © Steve Nash

Although gamely pursued by Seaglass Tiger, the leader held on by a length and a half in 28.94. It was a second Cat One win in 24 hours for Romford handlers following Union Jack’s win in the Golden Sprint on Friday.

Anybody who has studied David Mullins would know that he doesn’t travel with no-hopers, so why had Zico done to change his handler’s mind?

David said: “He won an A2 on debut at Romford and ran quite well, despite swinging off wide at the last bend. But we then gave him a lay-off during the worst of the weather and when he came back I thought ‘he is a different greyhound, we just might have something here'”

Nevertheless, for a dog whose best line of form was a 24.34 A1 win back on home territory, that wouldn’t normally be enough to persuade his trainer that he was Monmore Puppy Derby material.

David said: “It wasn’t the time, it was the performance that impressed me. There was just something about the run that convinced me. I trialled him at Monmore against Pantone Slippy who is very good A1 bitch and he destroyed her for early pace.

“When we looked at the final, everyone said that he had a great draw, which was true. But what really impressed me again was how he ran. He is still only 70% of the dog I would like him to be, particularly to overcome running wide.

“But the way he ran the second bend and how he opened up down the backstraight reminded me just a little of Lacca Champion. Clearly he hasn’t shown he is Lacca’s class, but he definitely has something about him.”

It was also a long overdue success for owner Mick Gollogly.

David said: “Mick has been a loyal owner with me going all the way back to Sunderland days. He has had a number of very good dogs with me, and I was delighted for him.”

TROY ZICO Puppy Derby winner
Monmore 16th March 2019
Photo: © Steve Nash