CANDY MAN tasted the sweet smell of GBGB Category One success with a typically strong-running effort to deny longtime leader Havana Class (Liz McNair) in the M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup Final at Perry Barr on Thursday.

Sponsored by the Lambe family in memory of Michael Lambe senior, father of trainer John, the 480m event shared the stage with the Arc St Leger Final plus the finals of two other competitions – for pups and sprinters – for another night of high-class action at a busy West Midlands track.

Trained by Carol Weatherall for Matt Walker, Candy Man had come straight from the 3 Steps To Victory at Sheffield, where he finished fourth in the 660m final. That strength had secured a place in the £6,500 decider at a track where the March 2019 son of Holdem Spy and Wont Fall Behind had reached the Laurels final in April.

On that occasion, he finished fourth to Havana Class, so Thursday’s form reversal in his third Category One decider was cheered on his connections – especially when he turned handy off the second bend after recovering from crowding at lids-rise. At that stage, however, Havana Class held a decent advantage.

Gradually, Candy Man gained ground and, despite swinging wide off the last bend, straightened up to grab Havana Class in the shadow of the post for a short-head success over the McNair runner in 28.10sec for the 480m distance.

Martin Seal, Perry Barr racing manager, said: “Carol Weatherall and Darren Holmes have been great supporters of Perry Barr over the years, so congratulations to the pair of them and the greyhound’s connections.

“From the early trials of their Calico Ranger, then seeing him win the St Leger here through to the present day, Carol and Darren have always backed us here – so well done to Candy Man for winning the Birmingham Cup.

“He showed tremendous guts to reel-in old foe Havana Class right on the line and win the M Lambe Construction-backed event. Truly a buckle to savour.

“We had history made in the St Leger with a track-record from winner Space Jet, plus two good supporting final winners in Patrick Janssens’ Crossfield Dusty (Arc Dash), a youngster with huge potential, and Kevin Hutton’s Signet Denver (Arc Puppy Stake), another improving youngster.

“Plus Aayamza Royale (56.42sec) broke the marathon track record with another brilliant eight-bend effort for Mark Wallis and her proud owners.

“Overall the running surface was absolutely spot-on and my thanks go to clerk of the course Johnny Shahban and his crew for their hard work in that department. I’d also like to thank the rest of the Perry Barr team, including my racing office colleagues, who have worked tirelessly to put on what has turned out to be a great show.”

Trainer John Lambe, whose family backed the Birmingham Cup for the second year, congratulated winning connections, praised the Perry Barr track and management, and thanked those who supported the competition.

He said: “I’d just like to thank everybody who participated in this year’s Birmingham Cup which resulted in a terrific final and such an exciting finish.

“Congratulations to Team Weatherall on a much-deserved win with Candy Man having done it the hard way. I’d also personally like to thank Perry Barr and all the staff for making it such a good night for us and must mention the trackstaff, in particular, for the superb condition of the racing surface.”

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=377834&raceId=778177