GLENVALE BILL completed an unbeaten run through the JenningsBet Puppy Classic at Nottingham on Monday with an outstanding display to take the £12,500 first prize and underline his claims as one of the sport’s up-and-coming stars.

Without luck in the Arc Puppy Cup Final at Sunderland in June, albeit behind a good winner in Ballybough Mags, the September 2021 son of Dorotas Wildcat and Droopys Kit dominated the Puppy Classic from the outset with impressive and fastest-of-the-round efforts in both heat and semi-final to set up his final bid.

Lining up the 6-4 favourite in the 500m decider, Glenvale Bill was led from lids-rise by faster-starting rivals but paced up well to lead at the bend on his way to a four and three-quarter lengths success over Coppice Rocket (Jimmy Fenwick), with the latter’s littermate Newinn Syd (Mark Wallis) a close-up third. The winning time was 29.49sec (+30).

Glenvale Bill, who turns two years of age on Friday so was having his last puppy campaign at the Colwick Park venue before stepping into all-aged company, is owned by Andrew Wood, the former trainer and now kennelhand for his father-in-law Rankin.

Wood has handled the likes of Droopys Trawler and also owned former top sprinter Walshes Hill with Jimmy Wright. He said Glenvale Bill was the fastest dog he himself had put a lead on and believes he has a promising future, albeit first wanted to pass on his best wishes to his father-in-law.

“We’re wishing Graham a speedy recovery and hopefully tonight has been a tonic,” said Wood, who was joined at the presentation by his father John. “He’s a really good dog, the best I’ve had by a mile, and hopefully he continues to progress – for his new owners. We have sold him to owners connected with Patrick Janssens’ kennel.”

Derek Somers, events and sponsorship manager for big-race sponsors JenningsBet, also joined the presentation, and said: “The JenningsBet Puppy Classic is a breeding ground for the stars of the future and this year’s winner Glenvale Bill is the best I’ve seen and I’m sure the Derby is very much on the minds of connections moving forward.”

Monday’s meeting also included the JenningsBet Select Stakes (won by Clona Duke) and the JenningsBet Select Stayers (Space Jet) both of which produced top-class winners, while Hopes Knight (Nathan Hunt) rounded off an outstanding night’s racing by leading home GBGB Sprinter of the Year Gougane Jet (Mark Wallis) in the sprint finale