SHELDAN landed owner-trainer Kevin Boon a seventh GBGB Category One title in seven years of holding a professional trainer’s licence when landing a hugely exciting Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic Final at Monmore on Saturday.

Already a Regency finalist, this precocious stayer was led for much of the way in the weekend’s £7,500-to-the-winner by the even younger Sparta Master and the Gary Ferguson-trainer runner ran a stormer before the stronger Sheldan, always handy, closed on the leader and then asserted.

However, Droopys Live (Angela Harrison) was also on the premises and favourite Antigua Fire (Mark Wallis) was now in full flight and both kept Sheldan up to her work before the Boon-trained April 17 daughter of Top Savings and Body Clock crossed the line in front.

Underlining the exciting nature of the Monmore final – mirroring the final of the Ladbrokes Gold Cup on the same card – just a head separated Sheldan from Droopys Live in 37.45sec – with Antigua Fire a close-up third just three-quarters of a length away.

“I thought she was brilliant and just kept on pulling out more – and I’m delighted to have made it a magnificent seven titles now!” said Boon. “We’ve always thought the world of her and she just shapes as a top stayer because she handles her races so well.

“I’m not sure she’s quite a TV Trophy bitch this year, that might be stretching it, but we’ll give her a chance in the Champion Stakes, also at Romford,” he revealed. “Look, she’ll be no match for Droopys Gold and top dogs over 575m if he’s drawn in one and she’s in two, but she’ll not be stopping.

“It was the same on Saturday. I was confident she could hold Droopys Live – she’s a fantastic bitch for Angela – and we even managed to keep Antigua Fire onside to the pick-up. She’s game is Sheldan – and could have run the next day!”

Boon, who also struck on the Monmore card with the promising and progressive Headford Cain, was delighted with the night overall. “I think Monmore do a great job, I really do. They are so accomodating for trials and look after you.

“Now, having said that, I will have to make sure I get a Gold Cup finalist next year so we get a table there! They look after the four-bend dogs, but us trainers of stayers were left out! Hey look, it’s not a huge problem – maybe something Monmore will look at next year.”

Paul Mason, stadium manager at Monmore, said: “We were under pressure on a very busy Saturday night, but it’s certainly something we’ll take on board. Obviously Angela (Harrison) having runners in both meant they were in the restaurant!

“Indeed I like to say well done to Angela and Jimmy. The plaudits go to the big-race winners of course – Kevin Boon (Sheldan) and Patrick Janssens (Seaglass Tiger) – but it was some feat to finish second in both competitions – and both Droopys Live and Velvet Juliet went very, very close in their finals.”