AYAMZA ROYALE and Roxholme Kristof served up an absolute treat in heat three of the Coral TV Trophy at Hove on Saturday – two outstanding greyhounds producing a record-breaking head-to-head to thrill fans of the sport.

Victory went to Mark Wallis’s brilliant Cesarewitch winner Aayamza Royale who caught a rampant Roxholme Kristof on the run for home at the Sussex venue after Hayley Keightley’s 3 Steps champion set a furious pace in the two-lap contest.

Ultimately proving the stronger, Aayamza Royale won by one and three-quarter lengths in 57.90sec (normal), a new best for the eight-bend distance which was only introduced in August. The Keightleys’ Roxholme Magic holds the 930m best.

Winning trainer Mark Wallis, twice a winner of the TV Trophy with Blonde Reagan (2012) at Monmore and last year at Romford with Bumblebee Bullet, summed up the feelings of fans of the sport when commenting: “That was a fantastic race for greyhound racing.”

He added: “It was an awesome run from Aayamza Royale, but fair play to the Keightleys for entering Kristof. Both greyhounds have produced the goods for a top-class marathon race and great that both can do battle again next week.

“Of course, it won’t be easy trying to win the final as there are some great dogs in there, but overall it looks a brilliant card at Hove with the likes of Bockos Doomie and Brighton Belle final. It promises to be a great evening’s entertainment and it’s great to be involved.”

For their part, Mark Keightley, husband of the runner-up’s trainer, agreed these two stars of the track had played their pair in a thriller – but that heading into the contest there was more than an element of nervousness stepping up in distance.

He said: “For the true greyhound enthusiast, last night’s race between Kristof and Royale was a true spectacle I’m sure, but for us it was a minute’s torture in all truth – and certainly not because we got beat.

“I had a text conversation with Mark (Wallis, Aayamza Royale’s trainer) before the final of the Leger about various things and made it quite clear we had no intention of being part of the TV Trophy.

“However, given the time to reflect on what happened, it was very much my view Kristof had lost more and more confidence round the first two bends of racing – I felt I wanted to address that sooner rather than later under race conditions.

“I knew it would be a physical test for him, but mentally felt it was important and I believe more positives than negatives have emerged. Of course, he was eventually ground down by what can only be regarded as a very talented bitch in Royale.

“I honestly believe Kristof was the moral winner, not in the race itself, but all round.

“I don’t think any six-bend track record would have held up last night from the performance he produced for 800 yards and it’s testimony to his ability, guts and determination that he was able to keep Royale at bay for so long.

“The keyboard warriors have been out in force over the past few weeks cribbing Kristof. I’m sure they will now suggest he’s not going to rule the roost over marathon trips, but should anyone like to ‘put up’ then we’re here – and waiting.

“Otherwise I suggest they shut up because no matter who we compare him to, past or present, in my eyes he’s the best we have trained – and I cannot remember the last A1 winner we led back to the paddock. We’ve a few Cat 1 winners to choose from.

“As for next week’s final, we’d have loved traps two and three to be switched round for the ideal set up, but we won’t shirk the issue and whatever happens I think 2021 will be really exciting for all involved in Kristof.”

The Walllis team will have two TV Trophy finalists next week after Antigua Fire qualified behind the Simon Harms-trained Droopys Bird, ironically the pair both winners of Crayford’s Jay & Kay Coach Tours Kent St Leger.

This year’s champion Droopys Bird came home strongly on the run for home to edge out 2019 winner Antigua Fire after the latter had caught long-time leader Affirmed (Pat Doocey). The winning time was 59.00sec.

Harms said: “It’s great to be in another Category One final – and hopefully we’re not just making the numbers up!

“We couldn’t ask more of her and any TV Trophy finalist is special. She’s got her rail in the final, but the clock doesn’t lie she’s got it all to do – and the others need to be having a bad day. Still it’s a helluva final to be involved in. We’re looking forward to it.”

Redzer Renae struck in heat two for Lee and Tony Gifkins as this precocious talent – a March 19 whelp – hit the front off the eighth bend and went on to hold Micks Little Gem (Michelle Brown ) by a length in 58.72sec.

Lee Gifkins said: “We bought Renae from the Greyhound Data site in mid-September and because Crayford kindly gave my dad Tony a contract to race our couple of dogs while in these troubled times we graded her over 380m and 540m.

“We then stepped her up to 714m for the track championship – these were only her fifth and sixth races. She won both of them from off the pace and did good times, so the plan was always to have a go at the TV Trophy if she won those races.

“She’s bred to stay. Her mum was very good and her sister has won over 750 yards in Shelbourne. She’s run great and its fantastic to make our third TV Trophy final in the last few years after Bubbly Time and Burgess Honey.

“Whatever happens she’ll have a short break before going back home to Crayford and making a challenge for the Ladbrokes Golden Jacket in February. Good luck to all the other finalists – but hope you come second!”

Trap draw for Saturday’s finals: https://assets.cj1.in/imminent-otter/production/assets/results/Brighton-Hove/form-guides/Sat-Finals-Form_2020-12-12-214836.pdf