BOMBOUT BULLET showed his younger rivals a clean pair of heels when blitzing round Towcester on Sunday to win the Greyhound Racing UK Northamptonshire Sprint Final.

Trained by Belinda Green for owners Billy Boyle, Clive and Dave Lawrence, and the Hove handler herself, the 2023 Arena Racing Company National Sprint winner at Nottingham landed a second major sprint title in all-the-way fashion.

Lining up from the inside box and going off 6-4 favourite, a slick exit from the red jacket soon had Bombout Bullet’s rivals under pressure as he sped to the bend with an early and significant advantage, and never looked in any danger.

The April 2021 son of Ballymac Best and Carmac Luna, the oldest and most experienced runner in the line-up, kept up the gallop throughout to cross the line three and a quarter lengths clear of Dashing Dude (Frank Bryce) in 15.63sec (-10).

Third home in the £3,000 final was local hope Letitwithme (Reg Allder), who occupied the same position 12 months ago behind Broadway Murty.

However, the £3,000 final went the way of Bombout Bullet who plundered a second Category Two title and, in doing so, landed a four-timer and an unbeaten run through the 270m competition – a victory which delighted winning trainer Green.

Completing a busy weekend for the kennel after their Gary The Arb had chased home Proper Heiress in Saturday’s Ladbrokes Winter Derby at Monmore, Green was delighted to see Bombout Bullet back in tip-top form.

“He wasn’t at his best a few months back, we knew that, but he’s such a great dog that my stubborn nature wouldn’t allow me to think he couldn’t get back to where he was. He probably lacked some consistency but the pace was definitely there.

“He ran at Monmore a few weeks back in a final – just a two-run stake – and I thought was quite unlucky. He roared to the bend then but couldn’t find his way through, although you could see that speed.

“He returned to Monmore the next week and won in 15.27sec so I knew he was ready for Towcester. And winning the Northamptonshire Sprint is just great.

“Thanks to the sponsors. Ourselves and the owners – of all the finalists – were really well looked after on the day. It certainly made for a special day – and definitely for us.”

Towcester racing manager Andy Lisemore added: “Well done to Belinda and Gary and all their team. Bombout Bullet has always been a top-class sprinter and it’s great to see him back to his best. He was brilliant from start to finish in the event.

“Thanks to all the trainers who supported the Greyhound Racing UK Northamptonshire Sprint this year – and also the supporting card.

“We’ve got a busy period coming up with events like the KAB Maiden Derby, the TV Trophy and Juvenile – and then the build-up to the Greyhound Derby.

“Actually there’s plenty of interest in the Derby already, We’ve had a few enquiries from Ireland and generally the quality of our regular Sunday races over 500m have been good – and no doubt they’ll get even better in the coming weeks.”