AAYAMZA ROYALE improved her own Monmore track record for the second time on Saturday as the reigning GBGB Greyhound of the Year began her defence of the TV Trophy in heat one of the famous Ladbrokes-sponsored event at the Wolverhampton venue.

It was a brilliant performance from Mark Wallis’s champion, who was always handy before hitting the front on the second lap and drawing right away to win by ten and a half lengths in 55.26sec (normal). Her time was an astonishing 65 spots better than her previous best for the 900m trip and helps consolidate her position as favourite for the title.

Her nearest rival is Savana Volcano and three-time winning TV Trophy trainer Diane Henry will have high hopes of another major challenge with the improving three-year-old, who beat Aayamza Royale when they last met at Perry Barr.

Slowly away in heat two, Savana Volcano made huge strides on the second circuit and hit the front off the seventh turn, winning by four-and-a-quarter lengths from Irish raider Sporting Pat (Jerry Griffin), who ran really well to qualify despite checking at the sough second time. The winning time was 55.79sec.

The Kevin Hutton-trained Southfield Code made all in heat three, albeit holding on by just a neck from the strong-running Our Supreme Sue. Up in the trip, Southfield Code posted the fastest sectional (28.29sec) as he secured a decent lead although was coming back to his field in the last quarter. The winning time was 56.64sec.

Commenting on the three TV Trophy heats and supporting competitions, Monmore racing manager Tony Williamson said: “All in all it was a great night’s racing, but finals’ night next Saturday promises to be even better – especially with crowds back for such a great race as the Ladbrokes TV Trophy Final to look forward to.

“Aayamza Royale is not only going for a second TV Trophy but also for her fourth consecutive track-record run which is a fantastic achievement. It’s a great race and the supporting finals are also very good – especially the sprint decider.

“Likely favourite is Kirsty Grayson’s Sheffield star Coolavanny Dylan, but both local dogs – Final Moon and Skipalong Sarge – are running great for Kim Billingham and Pat Cowdrill. They’re in the form of their lives and could push Dylan close.

“The bitches’ final is competitive and, on debut, Droopys Samantha was very impressive on Saturday and looks an exciting prospect for Kevin Hutton. The standard final is also high-class and Adeles Duke edging out Signet Mafia in their heat was probably the race of the night.

“Good luck to all connections and just a note to trainers that supporting races close at 11am on Wednesday.”

Ian Smyth, director of stadia for the Entain tracks, added: “Clearly Ayamza Royale was the star of the show on Saturday with yet another track record and means Mark (Wallis, trainer) will be going for his third TV Trophy victory in a row after his victories at Romford and Hove.

“However, I suspect there’ll be plenty of Towcester rivalry in this final! Kevin Boothby (Savana Volcano’s owner) will be trying to level up the scores over our four-year involvement following Savana Winner’s 2018 win at Crayford for him and Diane (Henry, trainer).

“Throw in Jerry Griffin’s Irish entry Sporting Pat who is sure to get closer after his strong recovery run on Saturday and we hope it’ll be a great final to crown our four-year sponsorship of this prestigious competition.”

Trap draws for Saturday’s finals: https://assets.cj1.in/imminent-otter/production/assets/results/Monmore/race-advances/Saturday-22nd-May-Advance-Finals.pdf