BLUE TROOPER, trained at Belle Vue by Nigel Saunders, made a quick return on his purchase price when winning the Greyhound Media Group Puppy Classic final at Nottingham on Monday.

The £6,000-to-the-winner decider produced the race of the competition, too, as in a close finish Blue Trooper held on from favourite Arthur Noodle (Patrick Godfrey) with local Salacres Barley (Peter Harnden) and Fizzypop Jet (Jamie Kingsley) also close up. The winning time was 30.29sec (+30) and the winning margin a neck.

For trainer Saunders, a successful handler for many years with big-race wins stretching back to Manx Marajax’s St Leger success at Wembley in 1989 and Sullane Castle’s Pall Mall win at Oxford in 1993, victory at Nottingham on Monday was particularly sweet given his association with the Colwick Park venue.

“I’ve raced dogs there for many years and knew [late promoter] Terry Corden very well – in fact Terry had dogs with me for a while. It’s always been a great track, who’ve always looked after us – and for the dogs themselves Nottingham’s a fair track. It’s known for its long home straight – and it was longer than ever on Monday!”

Pacing up well and recording a fastest-of-the-night 5.08sec split, Blue Trooper (Taylors Sky-Posh Pawn, September 2016) was soon in charge with a turn of early pace which saw him impress at the Newcastle sales from which he was bought as top lot in July after a rapid 4.57sec sectional then.

“He went for 6,000 guineas I believe, so they’ve got their money back!” said Saunders in reference to owners Tony Young and Ben Todd who share the youngster with Saunders’ daughter Lucy. “The lads have been good owners of mine over the years, and it’s brilliant they’re still prepared to invest and enjoy the sport.

“Things aren’t brilliant in terms of Belle Vue’s long-term future and we know the game has faced some tough times of late, but the sport itself remains popular and enjoyable and thankfully owners are prepared to invest, so I’m delighted for Ben, Tony and Lucy that they’ve got the purchase money back already – in just his fourth race for us.”

Saunders said a return to Nottingham for the Eclipse in November was possible, with all-aged targets ahead including a crack at the Steel City Cup at Sheffield, the Northern Flat at Belle Vue and the All England Cup at Newcastle where he was bought out of. “He ran a great sales trial there, so the track suits as much as Nottingham. It’s a nice decision to make!” he added.

On behalf of Nottingham, track director Nathan Corden said: “Congratulations to Nigel and the owners of Blue Trooper – he ran a cracking race. It was a great race, a tight finish and rounded off the competition perfectly, and the winner has improved for each and every look here – and was foot-perfect in the final.”

Corden added: “We had a good crowd in for what was an excellent card all-round, with the GMG Puppy Classic and some exceptional Lowther Stakes heats. But back to Blue Trooper, hopefully we’ll see him, Nigel and the owners back here in November for the MCSM Limited Eclipse.”