MINI EVA made it back-to-back local victories in the famous – and unique – event when completing an unbeaten run through the Ladbrokes Guys & Dolls with victory in the £5,000 final at Crayford.

Trained by Dave Lee for owners Brian Caulfield, Graham Cowley and Behcet Efdal, and 12 months on from Swift Daisy’s success for another Crayford handler in Jean Liles, it was youngest finalist Mina Eva who stole the show with an impressive display of front-running to take down the Category Two prize.

Producing her best performance when it mattered most, the April 2022 daughter of Ballymac Bolger and Rappers Molly took full advantage of Slick Sabo (Ricky Holloway) missing the break next door so clearing the way for Mini Eva, one of three Dave Lee-trained finalists, who paced up into what proved a winning lead.

Stretching on down the far side, the local hope was always in command thereafter for a two-and-a-quarter lengths success over Central Park’s Dower Pat (Dan Brabon) in 23.06sec (+20), with another Lee-trained runner All Along in third. Kennelmate and reigning Ladbrokes Gold Collar champion Laughil Jess was crowded out of contention.

The Ladbrokes Guys & Dolls is a unique competition in the GBGB Calendar in that it separates the dogs (Guys) and the bitches (Dolls) in qualifying heats and semi-finals before bringing them together for the 380m final – and Sunday’s final and supporting card did not disappoint Danny Rayment, Crayford’s racing manager.

He said: “Well done to Dave and Dawn (Lee) for winning another major competition here at Crayford after the (Ladbrokes) Gold Collar with Laughil Jess. It was great to see her back in another major final here, but there was no stopping Mini Eva who was brilliant on the day and she was a very popular winner!

“The presentation podium was a busy one and it was a pleasure to hand over the winner’s cheque to connections who are longtime supporters – they enjoyed that win, especially given here was a bitch who made a winning debut here in A6 in February! It’s been another great training performance from Dave and the team so well done to them.

“As for the supporting card, seeing a new track record for the 380m trip set by Madabout Peck was pretty special. Tom Heilbron had travelled the furthest with his runners from the north east for the Guys & Dolls and got Romeo To Victory to the final. He was out of luck but the kennel certainly had an early boost with Madabout Peck in the second race.

“He’s done a rapid 22.77sec, which is a length inside a six-year-old clock held by Brinkleys Poet, and was a tremendous run. He looked fast in the Guys & Dolls but just didn’t have luck in running but it all fell into place in some style on finals night.”