YOUNG PRINCESS landed local trainer Paul Young a third success in the competition as the sole bitch in the race made virtually all in Friday’s Coral Romford Puppy Cup Final at Romford.

Breaking smartly in the £10,000 feature, the Young At Heart Syndicate-owned runner made the bend in front and was always holding sway at the head of proceedings as Blue Tick George and then Droopys Carat launched serious challenges.

However, the line came in time for the October 2017 daughter of Droopys Jet and Droopys Valerie, who crossed the line half a length ahead of the Angela Harrison-trained Droopys Carat who, in turn, was a short-head in front of Jim Daly’s Blue Tick George.

Winning trainer Young, who watched the action unfold in Ireland during a regular visit to the Portlaw kennels of Michael and Sean Dunphy, thanked his staff and was delighted to see the youngster claim Category One gold.

“I reckon it’s been a lucky competition for us,” he said. “That’s the third time we’ve won it, and with two bitches, too, in Droopys Brindle (2015) and now Young Princess. I can assure you we were screaming her home here!”

He added: “Thanks to all the staff, but especially to Miriam’s father Peter (Emment) who paraded Princess, and Miriam’s mum Theresa who is babysitter for the weekend and a great supporter of the kennel! I hear they were leading the celebrations on Friday.

“Myself and Mim are here hopefully buying one or two more winners! Romford has always been a great track to be associated with, but it’s even been better now and we’ll be looking to have a strong end to the year – this has certainly helped!”

Jack Murrell, who heads up the Young At Heart Syndicate, said: “Thanks to Paul, Miriam and all the staff. Young Princess was absolutely paw-perfect on Friday – and it turned out to be a great night for the syndicate, the Young kennel and everyone involved.

“We had a fantastic turnout with most members and many other friends and family there to cheer her home. To have any winner at Romford is special but to have a Category One winner there really is brilliant. It’s a great boost for everyone involved.

“Nights like Friday show what is great about syndicate ownership. We bought her on a trip to Ireland in May after seeing her trial impressively at Kilkenny, then purchasing her from the Dunphy family who have always been very good to us.

“They always held her in high regard and, once again, have been proved right and helped this syndicate get a major win, which is huge for us and Paul’s kennel as a whole. Splitting the cost helps us all have a crack at these Category One competitions.

“So to have won one with Young Princess is amazing and a huge thanks to ‘Team Young’ and the whole team at Burton Lodge for preparing her so well – and it’s helped form some great friendships amongst members which is what this game is all about.

“It’s a brilliant way to socialise and meet new people who share the passion we have for the greyhounds – and great for the Young At Heart Syndicate. We started this in November 2010 when we bought Droopys Sid and renamed him Young Sid.

“He had some injury problems but Paul got him back to his best to win the last Blue Riband at Hall Green. We also had Young Golden, who we got from from the late Malcolm Daniels and was bred by Liz Hall.

“He won the Gymcrack for us in 2013 for us and also made the Classic and Laurels finals that year too – and, like Young Princess, was trained by Paul. Friday was our third Cat One for the syndicate – and we’re all really proud of that fact.”

Romford racing manager Mark Arkell, overseeing a local winner of the prestigious annual, congratulated connections of Young Princess.

“It was a surprise, but certainly well deserved,” he said. “She ran her heart out and gave it her all. Most people were looking at the three middle runners for the early pace, but that wasn’t the case in the final. Young Princess led them up.

“Having said that I thought Droopys Carat and Blue Tick George ran on extremely well and both were very unfortunate. I think all the finalists have big futures ahead of them.”