LIZ MCNAIR landed back-to-back victories in the competition as Fromposttopillar held the late challenge of Droopys Clue to take a thrilling Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic Final at Monmore on Saturday.

After Warzone Tom’s success 12 months previously, it was the turn of the hugely popular Fromposttopillar to claim the GBGB Category One title and £10,000 prize for owners the KSS Syndicate as the November 2020 son of Droopys Sydney and Rafa Babys Baby made a slick start from the outside-box to secure an early lead.

Soon in top gear and on his way to a rapid 12.18sec sectional, the Coral Olympic and Arc Kent Plate champion established a healthy lead by halfway, although favourite Droopys Clue (Seamus Cahill) was soon a clear second and gradually – and gamely – began to reduce the deficit and launch a challenge off the last bend.

However, Fromposttopillar was able to last home for a neck victory over the gallant Droopys Clue, the youngest finalist just out of puppy stage, in a fast 37.37sec (+15) winning time for the 630m trip, with Cochise (Richard Rees) back in third.

A delighted Rab McNair, husband of the winning trainer Liz, who had three finalists with fourth-placed Havana Top Note and fifth-placed Warzone Tom, was delighted to win the Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic for the second year running and felt the kennel – and Fromposttopillar himself – had proved a point.

“Everyone has an opinion about this dog and hopefully he’s put those keyboard warriors in their place!” he said. “He’s a brilliant greyhound with so much ability and we are lucky to have him. Yes, he’s not had luck sometimes – certainly in the Derby – but he’s won competition after competition. You cannot ask for much more.

“We might drop him back to a stiff four bends and, of course, defending his Olympic title at Hove later this year is a target, but six bends at tracks like Oxford and Sheffield is also a option. However, he needs a rest now. We’ll leave him alone for a couple of weeks and I’ll have a chat with the lads about what’s next.”

McNair thanked Monmore and the big-race sponsors and, commenting on his interview with Darrell Williams on RPGTV which was widely circulated, said: “It’s all about pressure and passion, but myself and Liz are very lucky. We never get any pressure from our bosses. I put myself under pressure and work better for it!”

Paul Mason, Monmore’s stadium manager, said: “Well done to Rab and Liz (McNair) and to Fromposttopillar’s owners, the KSS Syndicate of Brendan Keogh, Simon Senyk and Ian Openshaw. It was a second Summer Stayers Classic in a row for the McNairs and once again a hugely popular greyhound took the title.

“Saturday was a fantastic meeting here and, in terms of overall prize-money, our biggest of the year. We had some great winners and four finals in all with not just the Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic but also the Ladbrokes Gold Cup, another Cat One, which was won in brilliant style by Tom Heilbron’s Links Maverick.

“We also paid tribute to one of our former trainers in the shape of the Peter Billingham Memorial Final, which Ted Soppitt won with Skywalker Pele, and the Vixons Contracts Ltd Trophy Final which went to Mark Wallis’s Newinn Touch.”