BOMBERS BULLET enhanced his Greyhound of the Year prospects when winning a dramatic Coral Champion Stakes Final at Romford on Friday as Mark Wallis and the owning The Bruiser Boyz syndicate landed another major success.

The winner, already this year a Derby finalist and victorious in the William Hill Grand Prix final at Sunderland, trapped smartly and made all in the £10,000-to-the-winner decider – posting a rapid-fire 35.97sec (+20) for the 575m trip.

However, that tells only part of the story given Ower Boy Bullet, who paced up well to turn second, was taken out by the errant, and subsequently disqualified, Kanturk Repeat approaching the last bend to allow the winner to ‘coast’ home.

In truth, Bombers Bullet was always in charge, and it seemed appropriate and right that it was June Harvey’s Clash, a kennelmate of Ower Boy Bullet, who came through the melee to finish second behind the seven-and-a-half length victor.

Wallis’s Saleen Ash was a further 12 lengths-plus behind as the field finished well spread out, with Coronation Cup winner Shotgun Bullet also distracted at the sixth bend, eventually finishing fourth.

However, for multiple champion trainer Wallis it proved another successful night in a topsy-turvy year for the Imperial Kennels boss, who recently moved his kennel strength to Henlow following the closure of Towcester.

“What a tremendous win for Bombers Bullet to beat some high-class rivals,” he said. “It was a superb competition from start to finish, which seemed to have everything including in the final with not many people expecting Bombers Bullet to ping out and lead up.

“It was race-over really after that, although for a moment I was worried about the pace Heather’s bitch (Dimmock, Kanturk Repeat) was showing to catch Ower Boy Bullet for second and thinking he could get quite close to us.

“Unfortunately, she had her mind on other things, which is a real shame for connections. But for Bombers’ owners, well it’s been a stunning couple of months, reaching the Derby Final, winning the Grand Prix and finishing second in the Stayers Classic at Monmore.

“Now winning the Champion Stakes at Romford, he must be in the running alongside the likes of Dorotas Wildcat for Greyhound of the Year recognition, although I think with Kevin Hutton’s popular winner we may have to win another title to really have a chance.

“However, that’s certainly not beyond the realms of possibility with Bombers, as he’s such a brilliant competition dog.

“The victory couldn’t have come at a better time, both for ourselves, with the recent closure of Towcester, and for the owners who have had injury issues recently with their other two stars Bruisers Bullet and Bonzos Bullet, who’s now retired.

“Thanks to Romford for their hospitality and to my team back at Imperial Kennels, including our physio Ron Mills. We all work so hard and sometimes you have to have winners like this to make it all worthwhile – this last couple of weeks especially!

“Bombers Bullet is bouncing this morning and I’ve never seen him better which, is a credit to the way we do things here, but we’ll give him a short rest. I never believe in giving them long rests when they’re in such great shape, as they sometimes lose their form.

“We may think about the 600yds race at Shelbourne on Irish Derby final night but will sit down and have a think – I’m still not convinced he’ll stay the St Leger trip at Perry Barr, but sometimes you just don’t know until you try. I’ve been proved wrong before!”

Billy Boyle, who heads up The Bruiser Boyz syndicate, paid tribute to his trainer, who he said proved “the best ever” after guiding Bombers Bullet to Friday’s success at Romford – so continuing a great year for the April 2015 son of Droopys Cain and Headford Hoe.

“It was another great evening and is turning into a remarkable year for The Bruiser Boyz,” said Boyle. “We had two Derby finalists, then Bombers has now won two ‘majors’ – plus reached four successive Cat One finals. He’s an amazingly fast, tough and versatile greyhound who never runs a bad race.

“Towcester going into administration really hit us hard as we love this sport and love to watch our wonderful greyhounds perform, and without Mark and his hard-working team none of this is possible, so a big thanks to all at Imperial Kennels as well as Romford and Coral for their great hospitality and generous sponsorship.

“But going back to Mark, he’s a genius. He decided to put some weight on Bombers which he thought might help his speed going back over 575m at Romford from 640m at Sunderland at 630m at Monmore, and it duly worked in the final.

“He broke well and proceeded to power clear with that extra weight and power. These are the sort of things we don’t appreciate, but it’s what makes good trainers great. Mark Wallis is undoubtedly the best we are likely to ever see in our game.”