SHREWD CALL, the reigning GBGB Sprinter of the Year, landed a popular victory in Tuesday’s rescheduled Gain Greyhound Nutrition Sovereign Stakes Final at Towcester.

The 14-1 chance was a drifter in the market in the face of support for chief rivals Havana Class (6-4) and Scurry champion Crossfield Dusty (evens), but the David Mullins-trained flier trapped superbly towards the outside and gave himself every chance thereafter.

Pacing up well to the bend, the September 2018 son of Ballymac Vic and Shrewd Clover was soon in control and on his way to victory in the revived former Rye House annual, worth £5,000 to the winner and now a Category Two competition.

Keeping up the gallop Shrewd Call held the strong-running Laurels champion Havana Class (Liz McNair) by half a length with favourite Crossfield Dusty (Patrick Janssens) back in third. The winning time for the 275m was 15.59sec (normal), the fastest of the event.

“He’s definitely saved the best for last and I’m absolutely delighted for the dog, the kennel and for Kelly (Searle, owner),” said winning trainer Mullins. “From the draw we weren’t really expecting it, but when he’s trapped like that he had a great chance.

“I watched the race at home – Julie and Luke (Hegarty) were in charge at Towcester – and I’ve got no voice now! Once he came away like he did I was roaring him on and he’s just held his form brilliantly – even holding Havana Class after the line.

“He’d been running well enough, perhaps not as well as last year but that was more down to his trapping. He just wasn’t getting it right at the start, but what a time to get it right!

“All being well it’ll be the (Arena Racing Company) National Sprint at Nottingham heats for him next on Monday,” added the Romford handler.

Winning owner Kelly Searle said: “I’m absolutely over the moon with Shrewd Call’s run, but not just last night but through the whole competition! He needed to do everything right against a top quality field and thankfully he did just that.

“It’s no secret how much this dog means to me and his run last night was, for me, one of his best this year. I must have watched the race a hundred times already and it still leaves me wanting to watch it again!

“Team Mullins have done an amazing job with him this year so full credit goes to them and thanks also to sponsors Gain Greyhound Nutrition and to Towcester themselves for their hospitality. It was a fantastic night.”

The Gain Greyhound Nutrition Sovereign Stakes Final had originally been slated for Sunday but a frozen track forced the meeting to be postponed and the sprint decider shared the stage with the heats of the RPGTV English Puppy Derby heats.

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=379917&raceId=795908