BROADWAY MURTY landed owner-trainer Sean White his biggest success to date with a popular victory in the Bet365 Northamptonshire Sprint Final at Towcester on Sunday which, for part-owner Josh Naylor, proved very much a case of beginner’s luck.

“Murty is the first dog Josh has been involved in, so he probably thinks it’s easy now!” said White of Taylor, 22, a friend of White’s son Thomas who is credited with getting his dad back in the game after a spell away from the game. However, the ‘Broadway’ prefix, after Tooting Broadway in south London, close to where White lives and where he works as a fishmonger in the market, is very much alive and well again!

“I’m enjoying my racing and days like Sunday make it even more enjoyable!” he added. “Towcester were brilliant with us, as were sponsors Bet365, and I thank both for their support and backing the event. I think they ended up with a top-class final and really couldn’t have asked for much in terms overall quality.”

Broadway Murty lined up against hot favourite Quarteira (Mark Wallis), who had gone close to the track record in the heats, and Romford Puppy Cup winner Romeo Crusade (David Mullins). However, a bullet break saw the February 2022 son of Ballymac Best and Blackstone May soon in command and on his way to victory in the £3,000-to-the-winner Category Two competition, the youngster impressing all and sundry.

Striding impressively clear on the dash to the bend, Broadway Murty never looked in trouble as White’s youngster crossed the line three lengths clear of Romeo Crusade, with local hope Letitwithme (Reggie Allder) in third – completing an unbeaten run through the event in the process. The winning time was a super-slick 15.50sec (+5).

Winning trainer White, who secured Broadway Murty from Micky Taggart, has toyed with the upcoming Coral Golden Sprint at Romford for his young star but might keep his runner to sprinting and was just delighted with how he trapped, having his best break for when it mattered most in the 270m final.

“That was his fourth win in a row at Towcester and I couldn’t fault the way he was running – he just wasn’t really breaking that well, although was pacing up well enough! He’s certainly saved his best break for last, but then again I’d probably say he was just getting used to the traps there and that might have been the difference.

“He’s sprinting so well I might not go for Romford now, but we’ll see. There’s not a huge amount around but the (Arc) Silver Salver at Central Park and the sprint on Derby final night back at Towcester could be targets. It might be one-offs in between but I’m just enjoying the moment for now – and so is Josh!”

Pat Cooney of sponsors Bet365 said: “Congratulations to Sean and his family – and to Josh (Naylor), of course. It’s a brilliant story and Murty is one very fast sprinter whom I think Sean will have a great rest of year with. He’s still very young, remember, so winning our Northamptonshire Sprint against some seasoned sorts really was a special effort.

“It was a great sponsorship and we ended up with a high-class final. Well done to all.”