GRAYS CUP WINNER landed trainer Philip Simmonds a first major Romford trophy when producing a stellar effort to win the Coral Puppy Cup on Friday night.

Lining up as a fourth successive finalist in the event for the kennel, but considered easily their best chance, the March 2017 son of Tyrur Big Mike and Lizzylegit was out-trapped by Calzaghe Flash (Ted Soppitt) next door but was soon upsides and used the inside line to lead round the bend.

The runner-up kept the leader up to his work, however, although Grays Cup Winner still had two and a half lengths in hand as he crossed the line to grab the £10,000 first prize from Calzaghe Flash, with Bubbly Bonanza (Paul Young) a length further behind in third. The winning time was 24.08sec (normal).

Winning trainer Simmonds was a delighted man afterwards and praised his staff. “They have all done a marvellous job with this dog. He had a slight muscle issue after the semi-finals but Sarah (Tredgold), Luke (Staunton) and Nathan (Hunt) did their bit along with some terrific work as ever from Ron Mills – and it’s done the trick!

“I was watching the race standing next to Steve Fluin (chairman, Champagne Club). They had Bubbly Bonanza, but Steve felt ours and Ted’s (Calzaghe Flash) were the dogs to beat. He asked whether we could lead Calzaghe Flash. I said no from the boxes, but we wouldn’t be far off him by the bend, and so it proved.

“I’ve never met the owners, who are from Scotland, but we’ve spoken on the phone and they’ve been great and just let us get on with things. He always looked a nice dog, and won an A1 on his debut at Romford, which takes some doing of course. That’s five wins now from just nine races, and he’ll probably have four or five weeks off now.”

Simmonds, trainer of last year’s Oaks champion Wuheida, is preparing the same bitch for her Classic defence at Swindon and is hopeful Grays Cup Winner, owned by Jimmy Jordan, reared in Ireland by Barry Hislop and schooled by Damian McCann, might be a Derby dog next year.

“Unfortunately he’ll be too old for Monmore’s Puppy Derby, but the 480m there would be his first introduction to four bends proper. There’s also the Golden Sprint perhaps, but there’s no rush. It’s just great to win a famous race like the Romford Puppy Cup – and fair play to Coral/Ladbrokes for their continued support. It’s a great prize.”

Mark Arkell, deputy racing manager at Romford, congratulated Philip Simmonds and his team on their Puppy Cup success.

He said: “Grays Cup Winner has been impressive since his first trial here, and managed to win an A1 on debut. I think everyone then realised the dog could be something special and that was proved in the final. It’s a first Category One victory here at Romford for Phil and it’s thoroughly deserved.

“I understand he’ll be rested now, but hopefully we’ll see him return for the Golden Sprint next year.”