ROMFORD signed off its Category One year with the final of the Coral 100 Champion Stakes on Friday with Mark Arkell, racing manager at the London Road venue, congratulating Kelly Wilton and her team after the victory of Fortanach Col.

Landing the team a third Category One success in 2026 after wins for Fortanach Col in the Time 3 Steps To Victory at Sheffield and Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic at Monmore, the greyhound formerly known as Ballymac Tibet and who competed in two English Derbys for Liam Dowling before joining Wilton’s team in May has proved one of the most successful stayers in training – landing the Nottingham handler a trio of major wins now.

“Kelly has done incredibly well with Fortanach Col,” said Arkell. “Greyhound racing people will know how she took over the licence from her late father Colin, whom Fortanach Col was named after, and she won three Cat Ones now for the kennel. I’d say the family are very proud of her and with good reason – and what an exciting final we had.

“Congratulations to Kelly and the team – and what a greyhound Col is having won three Cat One now. The enthusiasm from the owners and Kelly’s staff was great to see.

“They were here for the trap draw for the final after racing on semi-final night the Friday before and then travelled home and, for Gary (Armstrong), he was back up to Scotland.

“That exceptional commitment certainly paid off, winning our biggest race of the year. Hopefully they’ll be back in January for the Coral Essex Vase.”

Owned by Gary Armstrong and Jen Dykes, Fortanach Col lined up as two Wilton-trained finalists in the £20,000-to-the-winner Coral 100 Champion Stakes along with favourite 4-7 favourite Grouchos Gregor, also owned by Armstrong and Dykes.

A missed break proved costly for the latter but Fortunach Col came away well and, with the field crowding, he turned second behind local Don Cici (David Mullins) who went on off the second bend once taking over from fast-starting Bubbly Holly (Paul Young) at the bend.

However, Fortanach Col was always running strongly in behind and took over on the run for home for a one and a half length success over Don Cici in 35.37sec (normal) for the big-race trip of 575m.

Photos: © Steve Nash