The Patrick Janssens-trained star, runner-up to Hopes Paddington in the famous GBGB Category One event 12 months ago, rode a first-bend bump before reeling in longtime leader Lamorna Ollie (Alistair Scott) at the third turn before going on powerfully to score by two and a half lengths in a fast 27.71sec (normal) for the 462m trip.

Coolavanny Shado had edged out Signet Goofy in the XL Windows-backed East Anglian Challenge and John Mullins’ dog also franked the form with a fluent success in the very next heat, pacing up well to lead into the turn before justifying favouritism by leading home Whyaye Man (Mark Wallis) by almost three lengths in a rapid-fire 27.50sec (normal).

For good measure East Anglian Challenge third Knockduff Eske also struck gold on the night, winning heat three in good style as Craig Morris’s two-year-old led early on his way to a two-and-a-quarter lengths success over Droopys Sport (Irene Barnard) in 27.70sec (normal), which meant the first, second and third from last week all won their heats.

The father and son team of John and James Wright, greyhound owners for many years, sponsored the East Anglian Challenge, a GBGB Category Three competition, this year in their company’s name (XL Windows), and James Wright said he was delighted to see the form of the race upheld in such a way.

He said: “We thought it was a fantastic race on the night, with Coolavanny Shado and Signet Goofy having a fantastic buckle – some said it was the best race they’ve seen at Yarmouth for years. Both are top-class runners and none of us can be surprised they’ve followed up in their East Anglian Derby heats – and great for Knockduff Eske, too.

“Dad and I love racing at Yarmouth so to sponsor one of the famous competitions there in the East Anglian Challenge was great and we’ll definitely be doing it again next year. And as everyone who knows us, we’ll be at Yarmouth on Derby final night. It’s an annual trip for us and a group of friends – we never miss it!”

Fastest of Saturday’s 77th East Anglian Greyhound Derby heats was the Seamus Cahill-trained exciting Watch The Limo as the ex-Irish runner made it two wins from two in the UK when following up an impressive Oxford win by making all in heat one for a two and a quarter lengths success over local champion Supa Nova in 27.49sec (normal).

The other heats went to Paul Whitwood’s Swift Loves (27.92sec), who edged out Monmore Gold Cup finalist Flickofacoin (Cornelius Condon), Roy Peckham’s Meenagh Mullarky (27.91sec), another John Mullins-trained runner Swift Iconic (27.65sec) and the Sandra Clayton-trained Alberts Legacy (27.56sec).