GOLDEN PALACE made it the perfect Mother’s Day for Towcester trainer Michelle Brown as he landed the £3,000 Queen Mother Memorial Cup Final at Sheffield on Sunday.

Trained by Brown for owners Craig Donovan and Jim Walker, the December 2021 son of Pestana and Golden Mist was soon in charge on the short run to the first and, while reeled in the previous week in the heats by Fabulous Heka (Patrick Janssens), that rival was kept at bay on this occasion – albeit only narrowly.

Quickly into stride, last year’s Premier Greyhound Racing Champion Stakes third (behind New Destiny) led Fabulous Heka (8-15F) and kept up the pressure with a classy show of front-running and, although always close enough and staying on well up the home straight, Golden Palace held on from Fabulous Heka for a short-head success.

Third home was Clona Curly (Diane Henry), representing last year’s successful kennel in the Category Two annual, while the winning time was 39.40sec (normal) for the 660m trip.

A delighted Michelle Brown said: “It was a great day for us all – the whole family – and I’m just so pleased for Prince himself, he’s just a special dog.

“We’ve had him from the start over here. He’d had a few races in Ireland and then had an amazing start for us, winning on his debut at Towcester and winning a couple of races at Oxford. Unfortunately he picked up a virus around that time.

“He was competing against dogs like King Memphis in the Puppy Collar and reached the final there (behind Long Fellow) but the virus knocked him back a touch and when he came back he just kept on picking up niggles and it was just so frustrating, even though we gave him plenty of time.

“We always believed it was a journey with him and that he’d come back to his best – and he did. He’s reached other Cat Ones finals since the puppy one at Oxford – back at Oxford in the (bet365) Hunt Cup and at Romford in the (Premier Greyhound Racing) Champion Stakes, but still but wasn’t getting his draw. He wants the inside.

“When the traps opened on Sunday I started screaming. He flew out from trap two and just did everything that he needed to win. However, I wasn’t sure he’d actually held on. Patrick’s bitch (Fabulous Heka) is very strong and turned close to us, but Prince is a very gutsy dog and brilliant dog on his day.

“Everyone loves him at home and he’s a pleasure to be around. He’s such a happy little fella and so really deserved that win in a lovely prestigious final. I’m so pleased for Craig (Donovan) and Jim (Walker).

“Jim’s been lucky for me. He sourced Prince (Golden Palace) and spotted Roanna Mamba who Craig also owns and has been a great addition for us – he made the Romford Puppy Cup final and the (Coral) Golden Sprint.

“His latest spot is Commanche who’s come into the kennel with a couple of others and I’m really excited to see what this lad can do – he’s won races at Thurles and Kilkenny. I really hope the luck continues for us all.

“Prince (Golden Palace) will now go for the bet365 Hunt Cup which starts on Saturday. He loves it at Oxford and made the final last year, of course.”