Troy Zico (Trap 6, left) crosses the line ahead of runner-up Seaglass Tiger (Trap 4).

TROY ZICO will trial at Central Park this week and could reappear on the supporting card to the Silver Salver Final a week later after winning the Ladbrokes Puppy Derby at Monmore on Saturday.

The £12,500-to-the-winner decider went to the David Mullins-trained runner after a superb show of early pace helped him overcome a missed break before escaping the pack to lift the Category One prize from Seaglass Tiger (Patrick Janssens) in 28.94sec.

Irish raider and hot favourite Toolmaker Me Dad (Robert Gleeson) stumbled on exiting the boxes and lost all chance of success, commendably finishing fourth in the 480m final, behind the Ernie Gaskin-trianed Roman Empire in third.

“I thought he’d blown it when he trapping poorly, but he took his opportunity well and it was down to his speed and great ability,” said winning trainer Mullins. “He’s left both myself and Mick (Gollogly, owner) absolutely buzzing since.

“He was always a nice dog, but has really surprised me. When Mick bought him, I’ll admit I wasn’t that impressed with some of his Irish form. He ran wide in his early races, was still good enough to win A2 at Romford, but I probably thought that was his level.

“However I gave him some time off and brought him back – and that’s when he really began to impress me. He won an A1 at Romford, but it wasn’t the fact he won but the manner he did it. That’s when I said to Mick he – and us – might have something quite special.

“I took him up to Monmore for a trial and during the event he just came forward and forward, running some good races in qualifying, and that peaked in the final. But he’s still not had a huge amount of racing so gives us plenty to look forward to.

“Unfortunately the Gymcrack is not being run in the early part of the year this year, so if Troy Bella makes the Silver Salver Final at Central Park then Zico will run in a race on the supporting card – and then we’ll begin to think about preparing him for the Derby.

“He’ll not be wrapped in cotton wool. He had the break before Monmore and is lightly-raced so hopefully we can have a good year with him – but what a start! And thanks to Monmore for their hospitality, they really laid it on for us. We were most grateful.”

Of the night itself, Monmore stadium manager Paul Mason said: “Despite the dismal weather it was far from a dismal night of greyhound racing, and produced an atmosphere that rivalled our neighbours Wolves who were busy beating Manchester United in the FA Cup!

“The final proved how thrilling and unpredictable the sport can be, with neither of the pre-race favourites dominating, but all credit goes to Troy Zico who won well. Congratulations must go to trainer David Mullins and owner Mick Gollogly.

“It was a fantastic night all-round on the track – and off it – with a very good Saturday crowd. Everyone enjoyed the spectacle that was the marathon race, which produced a dead-heat, which added more excitement to the evening.

“The night once again cemented our belief and commitment to Category One events at Monmore and the other Ladbrokes/Coral tracks.”