SAVANA VOLCANO gained revenge over Aayamza Royale on her way to landing a popular success for owner Kevin Boothby, the Towcester promoter, in the 1st Containers Dorando Marathon Final.

The May 2018 daughter of Confident Rankin and Volcano finished second in the TV Trophy at Monmore to the GBGB Greyhound of the Year but was able to turn the tables in the final of the traditional marathon showpiece on Derby final night.

Having won her heat in a faster time – the Dorando was a two-run GBGB Category Two competition this year – Savana Volcano followed up in the £3,000 decider when breaking better than her main rival and always holding the edge over the 942m trip.

Taking over from fast-breaking Dorando Double at the third bend, the Diane Henry-trained runner kept up a relentless gallop thereafter, although credit to Aayamza Royale who closed steadily on the winner without ever getting close enough to challenge.

At the line, Savana Volcano had one and a half lengths to spare over Aayamza Royale, winning in 58.62sec (normal) – the pair a long way clear of third-placed Droopys Bird (Simon Harms) who just shaded Our Supreme Sue (Kelly Tobin).

Winning trainer Henry reported her marathon star to have come out of the race well.

“She’s always the same,” explained Henry, “you wouldn’t think she’s had a race. She’s always out the racing kennels with a big smile on her face, as if to say “didn’t I do good, now where’s my treat?” before we stop for something special on the way back!

“I just thought after the TV Trophy it was very important I got her straight back to Towcester and to keep her there in preparation for the Dorando – so managing to get a marathon race for her between trials was perfect.

“Volcano has come so far I’m just so proud of her – and what a race on Saturday! It really got the crowd going and was lovely to see that again at a greyhound stadium.

“The plan with her is to keep her at Towcester for a Category One marathon in August. Then it’ll be Perry Barr in September for the St Leger then back to Towcester in October for another big event on the marathon scene.

“So the next few months will be busy for her, but I wouldn’t swap her for any other bitch out there. She’s really come into her own now and to see how she’s transformed herself is what it’s all about and why I’m in greyhound racing, for nothing else. It’s purely about seeing dogs develop their craft and be the very best they can be.

“I’d like to congratulate Patrick (Janssens) on his Derby win. What a performance fantastic it was, well done. Also to Kevin and the Towcester team in general who worked so hard to deliver as good a Greyhound Derby as they could.

“Kevin went above and beyond what he needed to do to stage the Derby really. He just wants to see greyhound racing be fun again and to celebrate these great athletes.

“The sport has been battling a decline for many years and some trainers I speak to are depressed, missing the old days, but Saturday I saw the sport return like the old days. It was a brilliant night for trainers, owners and spectators alike.”

Towcester staged two marathons on Derby final night with the Star Sports Lay To Lose £5K Guaranteed Stakes over 942m bringing the curtain down on the night – and favourites backers ended the evening on a high!

Three Ems paced up to lead early and made all the running to score for Romford trainer Paul Young and the Champagne Club Syndicate, completing a double for them on the night.