BUBBLY APACHE completed an unbeaten run through the event when racing to victory in the Arc Puppy Classic Final at Nottingham on Monday as Romford trainer Paul Young scored a third victory in the youngsters’ competition.

Landing a four-timer in the process, the December 19 son of Loughteen Blanco and Droopys Berry made it four wins from five career starts as he again made all to strike in the GBGB Category One £6,500 event. The success followed Puppy Classic wins for the Young-trained pair of Bubbly Bluebird (2016) and Wildfire Lord (2017).

Not run in 2020, the Arc Puppy Classic made an impressive return to the GBGB schedule with some top-class performances – not least in the final as The Champagne Club Syndicate-owned Bubbly Apache crucially secured first-run over market rivals Coolavanny Aunty and Trumps Benefit and was not for catching thereafter.

Racing to a 4.94sec split, the Dunphys-bred runner was soon in command and on his way to victory. With Trumps Benefit (Carol Weatherall) bumped at the turn, it was left to favourite Coolavanny Aunty (Angela Harrison) to throw down a challenge and the Newcastle bitch kept on well to get within half a length of the 29.53sec (+40) winner.

A delighted Steve Fluin, chairman of The Champagne Club Syndicate, which owns Bubbly Apache, said: “I’ve watched the video back of Apache’s win and I’m still buzzing.

“Three things struck me. His burst of pace to beat Coolavanny Aunty to the corner, his back-straight speed to put distance between himself and the chasing pack, and then his bravery to hold on as the finishing line approached. Fantastic.

“Another thing I must mention is the wonderful members and guests of The Champagne Club who travelled to be there to cheer him on, along with those members watching at home including in Tenerife – and Cambodia! At the track I chatted to members who were from Scotland, Wales, Ireland – and even from the States.

“My thanks must go to ‘Team Youngy’ and everyone who plays a part in making the club so successful. I never take for granted the wonderful support I get from members which helps us continue to invest in this great sport. The club is still going strong after 30-odd years.

“It’s such a pleasure and then it’s great to see so many new syndicates sprouting up all over the country,” added Fluin who said Bubbly Apache would next be heading to Romford and be prepared for the Puppy Cup.

David Evans, Nottingham’s general manager, said: “I really couldn’t have been happier with the night’s racing. Having the Puppy Classic, Select Stakes and Select Stayers on the same evening, when normally they would be two sellout events in their own right, was a challenge to say the least.

“So I’d like to thank our racing office for organising it all and to Dave Baldwin (Arc’s director of racing) for all his help putting the event on.

“We had around 160 owners and guests in the restaurant from those three races alone and I know a lot opted for the trackside option as well. I’d like to thank everyone who attended for helping to support the track – it really is appreciated.

“After having a quiet stadium for so long, to hear the cheers as the final of the Puppy Classic concluded was amazing. To then follow it up with the Stayers and then the Select Stakes made the evening really special. I hope everyone enjoyed the evening as much as I did.”

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=376954&raceId=770305