ROMEO ATOMIC justified his standing as a clear favourite for the three-round GBGB Category One competition when easily setting the fastest time in the heats of the BGBF British Bred Puppy Cup at Oxford on Friday.

 

The Kevin Hutton-trained youngster, an April 2021 son of Romeo Recruit and Fabulous Mila, enhanced his growing reputation with a third victory in four starts with a faultless success in heat two. Quickly away, he quickly settled the issue in a matter of strides before coming home eight lengths clear of kennelmate Shooter Mcgavin and Dens Benji (Tom Levers) in 27.07sec (normal) for the 450m trip.

 

The event kicked off with victory for the John Mullins-trained Jaffa (Ballymac Inspeed- Rackethall Jess, April 21) as the Yarmouth A1 winner, taking advantage of favourite Gooner (Michelle Brown) missing the break, paced up well off a decent exit to lead at the first bend on his way to a seven and a half length success over Lioness (Kevin Hutton) and Cheriana Roisin (Jason Bloomfield). The winning time was 27.36sec.

 

Newcastle raider Watchall Sid, a June 2021 son of Droopys Sydney and Watchhall Winnie, struck for Carl Jackson in heat three as the red-hot favourite was soon in charge and raced away for a near-eight length success over Dark Symphony (Kevin Hutton) and Chase Me Charlie (Tom Levers) in 27.51sec.

 

Monmore trainer Kim Billingham sent out Bathams Dennis (Hiya Butt-Ballymac Cloud, May 2021) to score in heat four. Led from the boxes by Signature Harry (Michelle Brown), the eventual winner paced up to move into contention at the turn and led off the second bend on his way to a four-length victory over that rival, with third and a place in Friday’s semi-finals going to Dramas Legacy (Tom Levers). The winning time was 27.71sec.

 

Liz Mort, chair of the British Greyhound Breeders Forum, said: “It was a very interesting start to our BGBF British Bred Puppy Cup, with a good spread of litters represented, which is always a positive – and clearly we have a few stars in the making. It was also good to see litters out of bitches we’ve enjoyed watching during their racing careers such as Micks Little Gem, Ballymac Suling, Fabulous Mila and Signet Storm.

 

“Romeo Atomic deserves special mention. He came out like a rocket in the second heat and was never going to be caught. He looks a serious dog – the first one the Firmagers have put with Kevin Hutton. He’s by their home-bred 2012 Produce Stakes winner Romeo Recruit, out of another of their home-breds in Fabulous Mila. She won several opens including our BGBF British Bred Maiden in 2019. 

 

“John Mullins’ Jaffa was impressive, too. He took command of his heat by the first bend and impressed thereafter. By Ballymac Inspeed, a litter brother to the kennel’s former star Smallmead, out of Rackethall Jess, and owned by Chris Waters and Jack Cranfield, he’s another April 21 youngster who looks as though he’s going places.

 

“Watchhall Sid had lots of support before the third heat – and delivered. He helped make the long trip south for Carl Jackson worthwhile, albeit you had to feel sorry for litter sister Watchhall Annie who fell out of the traps in the fourth heat and did so well to finish fourth. On another day she’d have definitely made the semis.

 

“Sid and Annie are June 21 pups, bred and owned by John Metcalfe, by Droopys Sydney out of his Watchhall Winnie, who herself is bred in the purple being by Tullymurry Act out of Skate On. Winnie’s a litter sister of those brilliant McNair/KSS stars King Elvis, Queen Adele and Queen Anna. The Watchalls are from a litter of nine – we’ll be seeing a lot more of them.

 

“Bathams Dennis, winner of the fourth heat, also looked good for Kim Billingham. He is by Cambridgeshire-based Hiya Butt out of Ballymac Cloud and was having just his third race, winning two of them now. He also looks a promising sort.

 

“Congratulations to all those taking part, especially to those who have made the semis. All four heats were good to watch and there is more to come. This is our first BGBF competition at Oxford – the first of many we hope – so thanks to them for hosting it. I’m looking forward to visiting and watching the very best British-bred pups.”

 

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=393014&raceId=905301

 

Trap draw for Friday’s semi-finals: https://oxford-stadium.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/OxFri20thJanAdvSheet.pdf