KING DRAKE led home a one-two-three for Liz McNair in a trouble-marred BGBF British Bred Sprint Final at Towcester to complete the trainer’s domination of the £3,000-to-the-winner competition.

The Kent-based handler had four of her home-breds in the 270m decider, all members of a May 2018 batch by Leamaneigh Turbo out of three-time GBGB Dam of Best British-bred litter Skate On.

Saffrons Xpress (Mark Wallis) was the first to show but was soon challenged by the McNairs’ Queen Lilly and, unfortunately, took a tumble along with King Sam (McNair) as the field all came together at the bend.

Riding a bump himself, King Drake powered to the front on the run for home to cross the line a length clear of litter-brother King Bruno, with another member of the litter Queen Lilly three-quarters of a length back in third. The winning time was 16.24sec.

Bred and owned by Brendan Keogh and the KSS Syndicate, King Drake finished second behind Shrewd Call in the Colossus Bets Silver Salver in July and proved a worthy winner in the eyes of Liz Mort, British Greyhound Breeders Forum chair.

“He’s a really top sort, proving that at Central Park, and then at Towcester so congratulations to Liz and Rab McNair – and breeder Brendan Keogh, of course – on King Drake’s performance, winning our BGBF Sprint at Towcester.

“It was an amazing feat to get four from the same litter into the final, so well done to all of the KSS syndicate for supporting what was our first event at the ‘new’ Towcester, and then dominating the final by getting the first three home.

“Many thanks to Towcester for staging the competition. It was their first series of open races given the lockdown, so for those to be British-bred events was great for us at the British Greyhound Breeders Forum (BGBF).

“Special thanks must go to Towcester’s promoter Kevin Boothby and his team for hosting the event so well. Tracks have been under real pressure in terms of not being able to allow crowds in, but hopefully next time we’ll be there in person to see the competition unfold.

“Overall we remain delighted with the continued support we’ve seen for the BGBF events. Entries have been very good and all the tracks we’ve spoken to and dealt with have been keen to host British-bred competitions.

“We’re definitely seeing a lot more interest in British breeding, which could become key to the future of racing in the UK. There’s certainly been some very, very good litters bred this year and there are some great pups from last year’s litters starting their schooling now.

“It means we have lots to look forward to. Breeders have a few top stud dogs available in the UK now, although it was sad to hear that Ron Grey is giving up. He did an excellent job with the dogs in his care, but thankfully remains in the sport as an owner.

“It means the likes of King Elvis and King Turbo have joined Richard Cully in Ireland alongside Eden The Kid, Candlelight King and Rio Quattro – but we’ve already had a couple of matings in from Richard and I’m sure that will continue.

“I know the exciting Ice On Fire has already had a couple of matings here, so they will be other British-bred litters to note of and, while he’s back on track now, I understand there’s plenty of frozen available! He’ll be the next dog to have a queue of breeders at his door!

“September is Produce Stakes month so we look forward to the best of British being put through their paces at Swindon, then the BGBF Scurry follows at Harlow, again a new venue for this having switched from Henlow. There’s plenty happening.”

Towcester racing manager Andrew Lisemore said the Northamptonshire track had been delighted to see open racing return to the venue and is now looking forward to a more regular programme of opens, starting later this month.

He said: “The BGBF British Bred Sprint signalled a welcome return of open racing at the new Towcester and we will continue to stage top-class racing with the heats of four £500-to-the-winner competitions on September 22 – a Tuesday night.

“In preparation for that evening, our lighting system is this week undergoing a major overhaul. We’re also anticipating that crowds will be allowed back in shortly and that we will be racing on Saturday nights before the end of the year.

“With that in mind, the graded strength has been boosted by the addition of Gary Griffiths from Belle Vue, while Andy Ioannou has also switched a number of his runners to Towcester from Henlow.”

Of the final itself, Lisemore added: “It was a scrappy race to say the least, but ultimately produced a worthy winner in the form of King Drake so well done to Liz and Rab McNair and the owning KSS Syndicate.”