KEVIN HUTTON won the first Trainers’ Judgement Night at Nottingham on Monday as last season’s leading handlers did battle at the Colwick Park venue.

Effectively the Trainers’ Championship Meeting, Hutton’s team swooped to conquer in the final two legs of the six-race, six-handler shootout as Signet Ace and then Southfield Code struck for the Towcester trainer to deny longtime leader Angela Harrison.

The final scores were: 45 Kevin Hutton, 40 Angela Harrison, 38 John Mullins, 32 David Mullins, 28 Mark Wallis, 20 Patrick Janssens.

The night had kicked off with victory in the Sprint (305m) for the John Mullins-trained Icaals Rocco (17.95sec) before Newcastle trainer Harrison’s charge began with the impressive Puppy race winner Moanteen Mikey (28.41sec +30) over 480m.

Patrick Janssens was on the mark in the Maiden event as March On Magic scored in 29.72sec +30 (500m), before Angela Harrison’s Puppy Classic runner-up Coolavanny Aunty (29.48sec +30) justified favouritism impressively in the 500m Bitches contest.

The came Hutton’s back-to-back triumphs to close out victory as Select Stakes champion followed up impressively in the 500m Standard with a superb four-length 29.32sec (+40) victory before Southfield Code finished best in the Stayers to strike in 41.54sec (+60).

Hutton said: “It was a fantastic night and thank-you to everyone who made it possible. I’ve always enjoyed the Trainers’ Championship Meetings and the team were proud to win twice at Central Park and once at Towcester – and now here at Nottingham.

“When you’ve got a points situation, there’s always a chance you can get back into it.

“Headford Buzz didn’t get any luck in the sprint but Sleek By Design finished second at decent odds, then Feeling Classy managed third and Magical Firebird dead-heated for second in the bitches’ race. But Signet Ace’s win was crucial and he was great.

“He’s running as well as anything just now. He was great in the Select Stakes and then to follow up in the manner he did in a high-class field was superb. And what can you say about the ‘old boy’ Southfield Code. What a team player to have! He never gives up.”

A joint-statement from the event’s organisers Rachel Corden, Arc’s greyhound operations director, and Ian Smyth, Entain’s director of stadia, had welcomed racegoers to Nottingham on Monday.

Printed in the racecard, it read: “Welcome to the inaugural Trainers’ Judgement Night.

After the impact of Covid-19 over the last 18 months we thought it was important to recognise the achievements of the top trainers in our sport and so Trainers’ Judgement Night was born.

“The new venture between Arc and Entain signals a long-term commitment to invest in the future of greyhound racing and we are delighted to be honouring those trainers who have achieved so much on the open-race scene despite the pandemic.

“We wish all trainers, owners and greyhounds participating in the Trainers’ Judgment Night competition the best of luck tonight.”

And following what was an exciting conclusion to the new event, Rachel Corden added: “It was an exciting night’s racing with some amazing canine athletes showing us what they do best.

“Going into the final race it could have been any one of three trainers being crowned the champion. Congratulations to Kevin Hutton and, of course, his kennel team and owners, on being the inaugural Trainers’ Judgement Night winner.

“Everyone is already looking forward to Monmore next year.”

Ian Smyth added: “It was a great night of racing with the star on the track – apart from Kevin Hutton of course – being Moanteen Mikey in the puppy race. A 12-length winner, he was superb.

“It was then little wonder, having seen that win, that punters latched on to the Harrison team maybe to win – especially when their ‘joker’ Coolavanny Aunty also obliged for double points in equally impressive fashion.

“Angela almost held on from Kevin Hutton, but fair play to Southfield Code and his connections – they were naturally delighted.

“The team at Nottingham were great and it was fantastic to be part of an event that showcases the best in our sport.

“We can’t wait for Trainers’ Judgement Night to move to Monmore in 2022 and will be working with the GBGB to find a permanent slot in the Calendar from next year onwards.”

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=377197&raceId=772234