NADURRA ROSS landed a second major success in less than a fortnight when winning the Conlon Family and Pin Point Recruitment Laurels Final at Newcastle on Thursday.

The £5,000-to-the-winner former Wimbledon-hosted Classic was being staged in the north east for the second year running, with new sponsors boosting the competition’s Category Two status.

Ian Walton, Newcastle’s general manager, said: “Thanks to Jimmy Wright and Neil Conlon, Tony Macari and Alan Findlay, all of whom have helped us stage a great event. It was a fantastic final and Nadurra Ross was a very worthy winner.”

Runner-up to Roxholme Nidge in the Steel City Cup and third to Swift Hansel in the 3 Steps To Victory, both at Sheffield, Nadurra Ross arrived at Newcastle on the back of winning the Droopys Nidge At Stud Stakes at Shawfield.

“He’s a real star, a good boy!” said winning trainer John McLachlan after the July 2015 son of Droopys Jet and Enda Causeway, well drawn inside, turned handy off the second bend and caught leader Bramble Reggie (Steve Anderson) close home to win in 28.46sec (normal).

“I always thought he was over-priced in the final when the prices first came out,” said John McLachlan. “He’s very strong and the make-up of the race suggested he might well get a good run inside and he’s come home strongly to win.

“Remember he was only beaten a length and half by Roxholme Nidge at Sheffield. That’s top-class form really, so I’m not surprised the big prices were taken after the draw was made for the final. We had some, too!

“Newcastle’s a great track, perfect for him. He didn’t get the luck in the All England Cup but things have worked out well here, and I’m delighted. He’ll be off for a rest now, then we’ll map out a Scottish Derby and English Derby campaign next year.”

Joint-sponsor Neil Conlon, who was joined at the presentation podium by members of the Findlay family, said: “The best dog on the night won, John’s dog has given us all a running lesson and he’s a great winner of The Laurels. Well done.”

The Conlon-family had three runners in the decider with Derby-runner-up and All England Cup winner Droopys Verve (Angela Harrison) crowded out at the bend despite breaking smartly. He finished third, a length and a half length behind runner-up Bramble Reggie.

A spokesman for joint-sponsors Pin Point Recruitment said: “Well done to Nadurra Ross and John McLachlan for winning The Laurels. It was a great run on a superb night at Newcastle. Thanks to the management there for their co-operation.”The supporting programme was used to honour the memory of those connected to the Pin Point Kennels of Kelly Macari, with races named after the trainer’s late father Tony McGiven, John Colley, Olive Kendal and Mick Lewens.