BROOKSIDE RICHIE helped David Mullins become the winningmost trainer in the event’s history when producing a top-class performance to round-off his domination of the Coral Romford Puppy Cup at the Essex venue on Friday.

Lining up as a warm favourite for the £10,000 prize after impressive wins in both heats and semi-final, the October 2019 son of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Greatest starred again when breaking smartly and unleashing a searing burst of early pace to take control into the bend, after which supporters never looked back.

Impressively driving the first and second turns, the Rich Vickers-owned Brookside Richie was now in full flight with a healthy advantage over Newinn Tik Tok (Patrick Browne), who emerged as the winner’s only serious rival after a slick exit himself. However, the favourite was not stopping in front and ran away to score by almost six lengths in 23.68sec (+10).

It means a second major puppy title landed by the Mullins youngster. Already winner of the Juvenile Classic at Towcester before running-up in the Seasons Scaffolding Puppy Cup at Hove, Brookside Richie has now won nine of his 12 starts and long-term has the 2022 Derby at Towcester as a main target

For Mullins, it means a fourth Puppy Cup success after Living Jewel (2003), Vamoose (2004) and last year’s popular winner Tenpin – and the Romford handler is understandably excited by the progress of his youngster.

He said: “I was pretty nervous beforehand because I wasn’t absolutely sure the make-up helped – I’d have maybe preferred him in one or three. But it meant he really needed to come away which he did – and he’s always run Romford well. He won first time up here and has got plenty of speed, but he stays well enough, too.

“That’s his fourth final now after Sunderland (Arc Puppy Cup), Towcester and Hove and we couldn’t be happier with him. Nights like Friday are brilliant for the kennel and for the owners, especially given this is our local track so a few of them were there on the night cheering us on. Without them we couldn’t do what we do.

“It’s been a good year, albeit hard work. We’re third in the Trainers’ Championship now and we’re lucky enough to have a good team of dogs – but again that’s because the owners support us, they’re backing what we are trying to do. Richie (Vickers) has been an owner with us for a good many years now – and he’s got a good ’un here.

“And it’s a nice story, because Rich had Richie’s dam Droopys Greatest with us – and he looks to have the best of the litter.

“The Derby next year is the dream, all being okay with him. He’ll be stronger then and I certainly don’t share the doubts of some people about him staying. He’s won over 500m at Towcester already and, while he was caught over 515m at Hove, that was by a very good and strong dog in Trumps Benefit and ours wasn’t absolutely at his best then.

“He’ll be fine next year, all things being okay physically, but in the meantime we’ve got the Classic up at Sunderland or the Kent Derby at Central Park as options.”

Congratulating connections of the winner, Romford racing manager Mark Arkell said: “It was a great performance from the winner who certainly lived up to his short price in the final.

“Once again I was very impressed with his run and he’s been super-consistent at Romford in all three rounds. Incredibly on calculated times there’s been one spot between all three victories – 23.77sec, 23.77sec and 23.78sec!

“Well done to all involved and I think most greyhound fans will be very pleased to see David Mullins secure another Category One win after recent events.”

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=377759&raceId=777402