KILARA LION landed his second GBGB Category One trophy of the year – and all but sealed the GBGB Trainer of the Year title for Patrick Janssens after a 1-2 in the event – when producing another superb front-running performance in the Ladbrokes Kent Derby Final 2020 at Central Park on Sunday.

Breakly smartly from the two-box, the Chris Crampton, Harry Crapper, David Priestley and Nigel Thomas-owned runner was soon in full flow and, with hot favourite Tenpin only moderately away before pacing up and then being crowded from a tough-looking five-box draw, the eventual winner was soon away and in command.

Crossing the line six and a half lengths clear, the battle was on for second and kennelmate Lenson Whelan just edged out Ballynabee Lucky (Samantha West) for the runners-up spot in the £7,500 decider. Tenpin (David Mullins) finished fourth, ahead of Darth Vader (Liz McNair) and Swift Lettuce (John Mullins).

A February 2018 son of Droopys Jet and Kilara Lizzie, bred by Brian Kennedy, Kilara Lion is a littermate of Irish Derby finalist Kilara Icon and was previously trained by Doncaster’s Alex Hopkins before she took a break from training to have a baby. Alex is back training and had a winner with her first runner at the Yorkshire track on Sunday.

“‘Louis the Lion’ came here in fantastic condition from Alex and we always felt he’d handle himself well in the major competitions – and he has!” said Janssens. “He won the Yarmouth Derby in great style and, after he got knocked out the Derby at Nottingham, we decided to lay him out for the Kent Derby – and it worked out very well.

“He’s such a game dog and loves his racing and, for us, it’s a tremendous achievement to finish first and second in the Kent Derby. It was another great run from ‘Lenny’ (Lenson Whelan) to finish second and makes it special given it’s my home track. We’ve now won the Kent Derby twice and finished second three times.

“I want to thank Cheryl, Ria and Luke (Staunton), and Ron Mills. We all work hard to achieve these wonderful nights and a big thank-you to Central Park itself and to sponsors Ladbrokes. It’s these events which drive us all on – and for Kilara Lion and Lenson Whelan it will be the [Coral] Olympic at Hove next.”

Dan Homewood, Central Park racing manager, said: “Well done to Patrick (Janssens) and the team for what was a fantastic Kent Derby 1-2. It’s a special event for us and is great that one of our trainers not only grabbed the winner but had the runner-up as well – well done Kilara Lion and Lenson Whelan.

“You have to feel for connections of the favourite Tenpin. A trap five draw was always going to be tough unless he pinged the lids, but you’d also have to say the best dog on the night won – and it’s helped make it an even better year for Patrick. He’s had a fantastic year really and deserves to be Trainer of the Year.

“Congratulations to him, but also to Ria and Luke who oversaw the kennel’s runners on the night. Thank to our sponsors, also. Without them, events like this just can’t happen. We are also already looking forward to next year’s racing – hoping we can also welcome back the owners and general public to witness some great events we have at Central Park.”

Results: www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=368254&raceId=692698