HOPES PADDINGTON landed his second GBGB Category One title with a brilliant display in the Stadium Bookmakers Blue Riband Final at Towcester on Sunday.

Winner of the BresBet East Anglian Derby at Yarmouth last year, the Mark Wallis-trained and Nic and Amanda Jeal-owned runner lined up as a leading contender for the £10,000 prize after an impressive victory in the semis – and then made no mistake when it mattered most in the 500m decider.

The April 2020 son of Good News and Charity Anna crucially out-trapped market rivals Deelish Frankie (Patrick Janssens) and Mr Chelm (John Mullins) and, pacing up well, was soon in pole position into the bend. Thereafter, he never looked in any danger.

Keeping up the gallop in customary strong style, Hopes Paddington crossed the line four and three-quarter lengths clear of kennelmate Antigua Bigun to make it a one-two for the winning trainer, who was making it back-to-back victories in the famous former Wembley and Hall Green event after Ivy Hill Skyhigh’s win 12 months ago.

Third place went to Seamus Gaughan’s local hope Frostys Ten and the winning time for Hopes Paddington was a fast 29.15sec (normal).

Winning trainer Wallis, winning his second Category One title in the space of three days after Aayamza Magic’s victory in the Coral Essex Vase Final at Romford on Friday, said: “Give me a weekend like that any day! Two really big races and two wins for the kennel – well done to everyone who made it possible. It’s just fantastic.

“I’m pleased for both sets of owners – the Ayamzaboys Syndicate with Aayamza Magic and Nic and Amanda Jeal with Hopes Paddington. Both are fantastic and supportive owners and it’s great to win these big races for them. Getting the one-two at Towcester with Bigun, who runs for our racing club, was also great for the kennel.

“You’d say Hopes Paddington would be very much Derby-bound back at Towcester, although we might have a crack at the (Ladbrokes) Winter Derby with him at Monmore first – he’s already had some nice wins up there.

“He’s such a strong-running four-bend runner, but is beginning to show a lot more early pace and, once he’s in front, nothing gets to him. That’s a Yarmouth Derby and a Blue Riband for him which is some achievement. He also made the Kent Derby final and was unlucky not to make the Olympic final at Hove, too.”

Winning owner Nic Jeal added: “Well done to Mark and his team – they do a fantastic job with all the dogs and it was especially great for us to be there on the afternoon. ‘Paddy’ is named after our daughter Hope’s favourite teddy bear, so it was definitely a family affair and we thoroughly enjoyed it! Many thanks to the sponsors.”

Result: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=393400&raceId=908208