CHURCHFIELD SYD gained revenge over Links Maverick when it mattered most to claim a brilliant victory in the Ladbrokes Winter Derby Final at Monmore.

The Richard Rees-trained runner, winner of the Premier Greyhound Racing Kent Derby at Central Park in October, had finished second to Tom Heilbron’s star in all rounds of last year’s Ladbrokes Gold Cup over C&D plus had chased home the Newcastle dog in the semi-finals of the Winter Derby just seven days previously.

However, as the sole wide seed, Churchfield Syd always looked a huge player and a fast start on the outside put him quickly in the driving seat against a high-class field.

In front after a matter of strides, King Capaldi then produced a devastating turn of pace to lead into the turn and, with the remainder of the field involved in crowding in behind as they jostled for position, King Capaldi and Churchfield Syd had the race between them as Liz McNair’s runner roared into the third bend in front.

The Hove raider was never far from the off the pace, however, and kept up the pressure to pounce as King Capaldi began to tire with the June 2021 son of Droopys Sydney and Millbank Jade hitting the front off the last bend for a length and a half victory from the Central Park speedster, with Tom Heilbron’s pair of Bogger Rambo and Links Maverick third and fourth respectively.

Success in the £10,000 event landed Churchfield Syd a second Category One title which would never have seemed likely after he suffered a muscle injury when leading in last year’s semi-finals of the Premier Greyhound Racing Puppy Derby, also at Monmore. Some feared he might never see the track again, let alone win a major competition.

“We all feared the worst, for sure,” said Charlie Rees, son and kennelhand for his father Richard, “but we gave him plenty of time, brought him back slowly, and he’s just been brilliant. I’m especially delighted for his owners – Steve and Billy Evans, and Darryl Bear – and for us as a team we like this competition!”

Having sent out the runner-up in 2021 in Amazing Wink, the Rees team won the 2022 running with Burnchurch Mick, also owned by Bear, who then ran-up to Coolavanny Shado  in last year’s final. Victory for Churchfield Syd therefore means two wins and two seconds in the Ladbrokes Winter Derby for the Hove handler in the last four years.

“We love coming here – and so, too, do the dogs!” added Rees junior. “It’s a competition we’ve now won twice and had a couple of seconds in also, but only because Churchfield Syd ran great. We were delighted with how trapped when he needed to and showed a lot of maturity to back-run Capaldi.

“That’s two major comps he’s won now and we’ll probably head back to Central Park for the (Arc) Kent Plate and, all being well, it’s the (Star Sports English Greyhound) Derby. That’s the main aim and make a plan solely around that.”

Paul Mason, Monmore general manager, said: “Congratulations to everyone connected with Churchfield Syd and well done to connections of our finalists, too. It was the best line-up for a Ladbrokes Winter Derby final we’ve had and everyone who joined us on Saturday morning thoroughly enjoyed it. Roll on the Premier Greyhound Racing Puppy Derby now!”