SMALLMEAD edged out Desperado Dan in a thrilling Coral Champion Stakes Final at Romford on Friday to complete a famous big-race double for the Mullins family.

Just 15 minutes after Tenpin had won the Coral Romford Puppy Cup Final for David Mullins, it was the turn of older brother John to add to his victory in the 575m event in 2016 with Ascot Woodie when sending out Smallmead to justify original ante-post favouritism and grab gold in the £10,000 decider.

But it was a hard-fought and narrow victory for the May 2018 daughter of Definate Opinion and Ballymac Razl, who was named after the old Reading Stadium and is owned by the father and son team of David and Lee Calcutt, who were delighted afterwards to see ‘Tanya’ shade a gallant Desperado Dan.

“I always felt Dan would be tough to get round and so it proved – he’s a great dog,” said Lee Calcutt. “I’m just delighted for John (Mullins) and for my dad. This is the first greyhound he’s actually been named as an owner on a racecard. I bought her for him as a birthday present and I think she’s turned out to be his best present ever!”

David Calcutt added: “I knew she’d get there. I’ve seen a good few races over the years, going back to 1954 and my first visit to Reading, and I always just felt she was going to get there. Tanya’s got so much speed, but she stays really well too. It’s a great mix to have and nice to win a Category One with my first dog – especially at my age!”

From the traps it was Desperado Dan who broke in front and the 2019 Coronation Cup winner paced up into the bend followed by Smallmead and, from the first bend onwards, it was a battle between the pair – and a fabulous buckle ensued. Smallmead drew upsides down the back-straight second time but Desperado Dan was not for giving up the challenge.

The Patrick Janssens-trained runner dug deep and, never an easy dog to pass when in front, again railed into a slight lead off the last year before one final challenge from Smallmead, wider on the track, saw her nose ahead as the line approached for a famous victory for her handler – by a short-head in 34.92sec (+30) – who was watching back at this Suffolk kennels.

“She ran a great race, but I always felt she’d get there, although Patrick’s dog played his part in a great race – a really great race for greyhound fans,” said Mullins. “It’s what racing is all about and Romford staged a fantastic card on Friday. RPGTV’s coverage was great and Steve Woodward’s commentary was just brilliant.

“I’m delighted for the lads and the rest of the guys who went with them on Friday,” added Mullins. “Thanks to Jeff (Rayner) and Barry (Kent) who travelled down with the dogs, they do a fantastic job, but I’m just delighted for the bitch herself. Things didn’t go for her at Monmore, but she’s run great in the Champion Stakes.

“I won it a few years back and paraded Palace Issue in 2000 when mum (Linda) won it. David’s won it, too, and it was great to see him win the Puppy Cup again on Friday. These big races are what we get up for – so well done to Romford for staging four of them on one night on Friday. It was a brilliant card.”

The Star Sports & Arc Derby at Nottingham will be Smallmead’s next target before a return to six bends. “There’s only one Derby and she’s got a lot of speed – look at the times she’s clocked. She deserves to take her chance and is booked into trial at Nottingham. After that you’d be thinking Gold Collar, St Leger, Golden Jacket, races like that.”

Results: www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=366059&raceId=672972