RISING BRANDY announced himself as a leading contender for English Derby honours when completing a remarkable unbeaten run through the Ladbrokes Puppy Derby at Monmore on Wednesday – posting the competition’s best time in the process on his way to taking the £12,500 first prize with a blistering 27.82sec (+10)

Trained by Matt Dartnall for Alex Antoniou and Paul Bennett, the April 2016 came into the 480m event unraced, but after winning heat and semi-final lined up as market rival to ante-post favourite Droopys Verve. However a quick exit saw him head his rival on the dash to the turn and, with Angela Harrison’s dog crowded, Rising Brandy went away to win by over five lengths.

The winning time (27.82sec) was the quickest in a Monmore Puppy Derby Final since Ballymac Pires’s track record in the 2005 final and, for part-owner Antoniou, victory fully justified his confidence having told the Dartnalls he had a pup that would win the event having only purchased the son of Taylors Sky and Badminton Girl a month before.

“We’d bought two dogs from JJ Fennelly which are running in the Con & Ann Kirby at Limerick this weekend but were chatting to the Flemings who bred Taylors Sky and they told us Brandy had been two lengths quicker at a similar stage. That was good enough for us, so we made the deal and I told Matt and Terry (Dartnall) we’d win the Monmore competition.

“I told them he was a ‘machine’ – they laughed and said something along the lines of “everyone says that!” but that they’d go to work with him, and they have. Hats off to Matt – it’s one of his biggest wins and we’re all delighted. I’ve got a share in a horse with Terry, too, so we’re good friends – and it’s been great this afternoon at Monmore.”

Fellow owner Paul Bennett added: “Monmore were terrific hosts and it’s great to take one of their biggest trophies home. We backed him at 10s ante-post – with the sponsors – so it’s a double delight! Myself and Alex were joined by good friends Billy Dury and ‘H’ – and the drive back down to west London was not so painful!”

Antoniou confirmed that Towcester would be the next stop for Rising Brandy. “It’s all down to Matt, but he’ll probably have a look back at Towcester again. He’s had a sprint trial there and went okay, so hopefully the Derby will be on the agenda. His sire (Taylors Sky) won it, of course, and while it’s asking a lot of such an inexperienced dog, he’s got loads of class.

Tony Williamson, Monmore racing manager, praised the winner, commenting: “He progressed throughout and, for an unraced greyhound coming into the event, must have set some sort of record – I’m sure that’s not been done too often! And his time in the final really is top drawer and amongst the best we’ve ever had here at Monmore.

“We’ve been delighted with the quality this year. It’s been a difficult time for trainers readying their greyhounds given the weather, but some of the performance have been superb. The afternoon went well and hopefully connections of all the finalists enjoyed our hospitality. We had some good open races supporting the final – and well done to Mark Wallis for his treble.”

St Leger winner Rubys Rascal (37.92sec normal) set the ball rolling for Wallis with victory over Droopys Live in their 630m clash before a smash break from Kilcree Diamond (15.29sec) set things up for victory in the sprint before a strong-running Boylesports Duke (28.32sec) grabbed gold in a supporting 480m contest.