JAYTEE ETIENNE upset the odds with a surprise but deserved victory for Ireland’s Paul Hennessy in Sunday’s KAB Maiden Derby Final at Towcester.

One of the three finalists for the hugely successful Gowran-based handler along with hot favourite Jaytee Craze and Barefoot Awesome, first-bend crowding put paid to the chances of the last-named pair but their kennelmate managed to escape the pack after a cracking show of early pace which saw him edge fast-starting Glorious Tom (Tom Heilbron) into the turn, with the latter also then caught up in the melee.

Jaytee Etienne, owned by John Turner and Lee Craze, was now in full flow down the back-straight and on his way to success in the £10,000-to-the-winner event, crossing the line three and a half lengths clear of Glorious Tom and third-placed Miami Bullet (Paul Young) in 29.19sec for the 500m trip.

It was a first Maiden Derby success in the UK for two-time English Derby winner Hennessy  and, given Jaytee Etienne represents his longtime friend and owner John Turner, adds to the pair’s list of achievements as one of the most successful trainer and owner combinations of recent years – Jaytee Jet being the pair’s English Derby champion at Wimbledon in 2016, the last Derby at the famous Plough Lane stadium.

Hennessy plans to return to Towcester with Jaytee Etienne for the Star Sports/TRC English Greyhound Derby and he will likely be joined by Jaytee Craze and Barefoot Awesome, among others, in a bid to add a third success in the Classic following Jaytee Jet and then Priceless Blake at Nottingham in 2019.

He said: “We’re absolutely delighted to win a good competition and the experience gained by the three dogs is invaluable for the upcoming (Star Sports/TRC English Greyhound) Derby – but it was wonderful to win it with my buddy John Turner and also new owner Lee Craze who, with his grandson Lenny, are very enthusiastic and got a huge thrill out of the victory.

“Winning the final was also very special for us, him being home-bred as a son of Jaytee Taylor. The kids own Etienne’s dam Cornerhouse Lady – she who the Lee Strand at Tralee back in the day – so it was very much a family affair.

“Barefoot Awesome and Jaytee Craze were unlucky to be crowded out but thankfully both are fine. We now have our homework done for the Derby and got paid for doing it! What’s that bookie saying? ‘Winner, winner, chicken dinner’!”