NO RUSH saved the best for last in the UK with a narrow but brilliant victory in the Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks Final at a wet Perry Barr on Saturday – adding her name to one of the sport’s most famous rolls of honour in the process. Season-permitting, her final race before heading to the breeding paddocks could be in the Winter Festival at Shelbourne.

After racing was delayed following the first four races due to heavy rain, Carol Weatherall’s superby consistent bitch, a multiple big-race finalist, landed another major victory at the Birmingham track for the trainer – albeit only after a driving finish which saw the June 2020 daughter of King Elvis and Vahsel Bay edge out Jet Stream Angel (Kevin Hutton) and Droopys Ailsa (Robert Gleeson).

With victories in the St Leger (Calico Ranger) and Birmingham Cup (Candy Man) already landed by Weatherall and partner Darren Holmes at the Midlands venue, hopes were high that No Rush could continue her fine form in the Oaks with success in the £20,000 event for her owners, the father and son team of John and Callum Purdy – and the three-year did not let her connections down.

Pacing up well and once again running the Perry Barr bends superbly to be right in contention from the off, No Rush was soon taken on by Jet Stream Angel as the progressive Hutton-trained runner, looking to land a fourth Oaks title for her handler, overcame a tough looking draw with a fast start and a show of early pace which saw her lead off the second bend.

It was now race-on between Jet Stream Angel and No Rush and, while the strong-running favourite was expected to come through, last week’s impressive semi-final winner held firm at the head of proceedings and kept up the pressure on those behind and it was only off the last bend that No Rush began to make serious headway and joined Jet Stream Angel close home, playing her part in a rousing finish along the Droopys Ailsa.

The Irish raider, who was seemingly crowded out of the mix at the first bend, had rallied brilliantly and also powered up the home straight against the rail to finish third behind No Rush who, the photo finish showed given they were wide apart on the track, had won by half a length from Jet Stream Angel, with Droopys Ailsa a further three-quarters of a length behind the 28.18sec (-10).

The victory of No Rush in the bitches’ Classic, first run for in 1927 and boasting a fantastic history for true greyhound fans, proved particularly emotional for Team Weatherall and the Purdy family – and not just because this serial finalist had finally landed the major competition her talents deserved after great efforts in the Sussex Cup, Brighton Belle and a clutch of British-bred competitions.

John Purdy, who part-owns No Rush with son Callum, said: “I lost my mum recently and this is for her – she loved her dogs and would be a regular at Wimbledon, so to win the Oaks really is something special.”

Darren Holmes, partner of the winning trainer, has also experienced family loss this year which, combined with No Rush’s near-misses in major finals previously, also made for an emotional victory at Perry Barr on Saturday.

“For a few reasons, it’s been a tough year, so it does mean more,” he said. “I suppose she’s saved the best for last in many ways.

“She’s run brilliantly through the Oaks, seems to love Perry Barr, and is definitely showing better early pace – and her bend running has been great. She’ll be bred from when she comes in season, so we’ll let nature take its course now. I’d say that’s it for her in the UK, but we might just have one more race in the Winter Festival at Shelbourne Park. It’d be great to take her over there.”