SAVANA ERUPTION continued trainer Diane Henry’s superb run of form by winning the £10,000 Gain Greyhound Nutrition 3 Steps To Victory Final at Sheffield on Tuesday.

The tri-distance competition is unique in the GBGB Calendar with heats over 480m and semis over 500m ahead of a 660m final – and six bends at the Owlerton Stadium on Tuesday produced an eventful contest for this Category One decider.

The Carol Weatherall-trained Nipsey Hustle broke in front before kennelmate Candy Man paced up outside and took up the running off the second turn. Nipsey Hustle was always close up, however, as was local hope Lemming Caesar (Michael O’Donnell).

Lemming Caesar challenged Candy Man for the lead down the back second time and then again approaching the last bend. There was a coming together between the pair – Lemming Caesar was subsequently disqualified – and that paved the way for the winner.

Savana Eruption had, as expected, trailed the field early but Henry’s strong-running February 19 son of Droopys Jet and Volcano – a half-brother of the Towcester trainer’s marathon star Savana Volcano – made steady ground before swooping as the leaders swung off wide.

Coming through well off the last bend, Savana Eruption quickly drew clear to win by three and a quarter lengths from Nipsey Hustle in 39.14sec to score for Henry and owners Kevin Boothby, the Towcester promoter, and Rob Boswell.

Winning trainer Henry said: “What a night – and praise to God for listening to my prayers on Tuesday – and I’m just so delighted for Eruption and the owners. Unfortunately they couldn’t make the final but they where there in spirit!

“I thought Eruption would be the perfect greyhound to suit the make-up of the 3 Steps competition which is so unique and such a difficult one to win. I’ve wanted to win that particular race for many of years – so this is great!

“I thought if he could just qualify from the first two rounds, which I was always hopeful he could because he’s got good four-bend pace, then we had a chance. He just lacks the early with the good four-bend dogs, but his middle pace and finish is beautiful to see!

“Then it was a case of whether he’d thrive come the final over 660m.

“He was at a disadvantage with not knowing Sheffield at the start and I wasn’t sure whether the course would play to his strengths, but hoped he’d get more familiar with it as the competition progressed.

“He excites me so much. From his very first A3 race at Towcester I thought this dog is competitive! It’s a trait I love in a greyhound and it’s that you can’t buy in a dog. Their attitude on the track and the drive to win is a real asset.

“I love this type of dog – they really get in your blood. He showed very little in his trials at Towcester but when it came to his races, and he went up a level, I was starting to really become excited for his future, so that’s when the planning started for the 3 Steps.

“I didn’t see what happened on the night with what was going on up ahead, because I was purely focused on Eruption. I pretty much ‘zone out’ in a race, especially in a final as my eyes are on my own dog – but then I did later catch a replay.

“It’s never nice to see and connections of the two greyhounds involved will be devastated for different reasons maybe. I feel very sorry for them all.

“Savana Eruption will be heading over to Perry Barr next for the (Arc) St Leger. I think the 710m distance there will be at the top end of his stamina, but again he’s still moving forward and coming on and strengthening up with each race.”

Andrew Mascarenhas, Sheffield track’s director of racing, said: “Congratulations to all concerned with Savana Eruption, who went one better in each round to eventually win the the Gain Greyhound Nutrition 3 Steps To Victory.

“Well done to trainer Diane Henry and owners Kevin Boothby and Rob Boswell and, while the circumstances of the victory might have been somewhat fortuitous given what happened with the disqualification of Lemming Caesar, Savana Eruption was certainly running his race in behind.

“Overall it was a great competition and I’m delighted to confirm that open racing will continue on Tuesday nights, with the next Category One competition being The Steel City Cup next month. That’s always a great event to look forward to.”

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=377060&raceId=771435