MONGYS WILD helped Mark Wallis consolidate his position as winning most trainer in the event with a brilliant track record-breaking victory in the Time Greyhound Nutrition TV Trophy at Towcester on Sunday.

The marathon showpiece made its return to the Northamptonshire circuit last week with three high-class heats which produced a cracking race on paper for the £15,000 final – until the eventual winner ran amok in the 942m eight-bend annual.

Led from the boxes by Alright Patricia (David Lewis) and then the latter’s litter brother Alright Gordy, Mongys Wild was soon in a pitch and running strongly behind the littermates before the way opened up early on the second circuit and the Wallis star needed no second invitation.

One of two runners for the 15-time champion trainer in the two-lap decider along with Dorando Marathon champion and last year’s runner-up Ballymac Taylor, the MWD Partnership-owned Mongys Wild shot clear in a matter of strides and was on his way to a famous win.

Stretching clear with every stride, the October 2022 son of Roxholme Olaf and Banter Breeze had raced six and a half lengths clear by the line, finishing ahead of Alright Patricia who, in turn, was three-quarters of a length in front of Alright Gordy. The winning time was 57.41sec (+20), a new best for the trip.

Victory for Mongys Wild secured a fifth TV Trophy success for 15-time champion trainer Wallis after wins for Blonde Reagan (2012), Bumblebee Bullet (2019) and, of course, Aayamza Royale back-to-back in 2020 and 2021.

“It’s always great to win a TV Trophy,” said Wallis. “For many of us it’s the race that got us into greyhound racing and to win it five times is special.

“Mongys Wild came to us from Graham Holland and he’s proven exceptional. That’s seven wins in just eight races for us and to step up in trip the way he did was really good.

“It was quick out there and the pace was just too hot for Ballymac Taylor but fair play to David (Lewis) whose pair (Alright Patricia, Alright Gordy) ran really good races and did him and their owners proud.

“We’re likely to bring Mongys Wild back down in trip for the Ladbrokes Golden Jacket at Monmore in May – it seems the obvious way to go as there’s not too many marathons around. But the Dorando is a main target. We won it last year with Taylor and it’d be good to give it a right crack again.

“And given Mongys Wild was the youngest finalist we’ve got to think he could go again in the TV Trophy next year.

“Our thanks also to the sponsors – £15,000 for two runs really is superb.”

Andy Lisemore, Towcester racing manager, said: “Well done to Mark and the team. His entry with Mongys Wild always looked an interesting one, him stepping up in trip. Sometimes classy and strong six-bend types don’t get the distance, but he certainly did! 

“It was quite relentless, to the honest, and no surprise the track record has gone.”