LOW PRESSURE, trained by Belinda Green for owners Dave Lawrence and Tom O’Donnell, held off hot favourite Bellmore Sally to land a thrilling Jay & Kay Coach Tours Kent St Leger at Crayford on Saturday.

The £10,000-to-the-winner GBGB Category One had looked at the mercy of Newcastle superstar Bellmore Sally, the dual Premier Greyhound Racing Golden Jacket and Ladbrokes TV Trophy champion, after runaway wins in both heats and semi-finals. However, Hove raider Low Pressure was tenacious in front and held on to a lead he established with a trademark burst of early pace – albeit after a moderate start.

It was Golden Jacket finalist Olga (Pat Curtin) who trapped in front but Low Pressure, a September 2020 son of Pat C Sabbath and Highview Lauren, soon applied the pressure by pacing up, turning behind the Monmore runner, before hitting the front down the far side – he was on his way. Thereafter it was whether Bellmore Sally could get a run in behind as Jimmy Fenwick’s star also now hit top gear.

However, a coming together with Roll On Sydney (Paul Young) at halfway and at the penultimate bend halted her charge and then, when challenging for the lead rounding the last bend, Bellmore Sally checked in behind Low Pressure, before switching outside to renew her challenge. Rallying well, the 4-9 shot closed on the leader, who nevertheless had enough in the tank to win by half a length in 45.38sec (normal).

Third place went to Roll On Sydney, with Luna Jezabelle (Keith Robins) in fourth ahead of puppy She Loves You (Michelle Brown) and Olga. However, it was success for Low Pressure and a fourth GBGB Category One title for trainer Belinda Green, her third this year, after Bradys Bullet’s success in the Premier Greyhound Racing Puppy Derby at Monmore and Betsys Bullet in the Coral Brighton Belle.

The Hove handler had been forced to withdraw Betsys Bullet (in season) from her Star Sports/TRC English Derby heat at Towcester a few hours earlier and, after disappointment for her runners in the first two nights of the Classic at the Northamptonshire venue, victory for Low Pressure came at the perfect time.

The kennel’s Ninja Kerry, Green’s first Category One winner in the Sussex Cup at Hove last year, would later qualify from his Derby heat to complete a memorable Saturday for the trainer, who was delighted with how Low Pressure had returned after an unfortunate incident at the traps at Oxford during the Hunt Cup a few weeks previously.

She said: “We left him off after that but gave him two trials at Hove and he’d gone well. He won his heat at Crayford well and was then just caught by Luna Jezabelle in the semis. I still thought he’d come on again, but when he missed the break in the final thought that would be that, but he’s so game this dog and was just brilliant once getting to the front.

“Bellmore Sally is a fantastic champion and, of course, has made it a brilliant race to watch, but it was a very long way home up the home straight for us!”

Part-owner Tom O’Donnell said: “That was brilliant and a huge well done to Belinda and Gary (Whittington) and all the team. They have done a fantastic job with ‘Larry’ and it was a real privilege to be part of such a fantastic race. Our thanks to sponsor Karl Brazier (Jay & Kay Coach Tours) and to Crayford for their hospitality. It was first class.”

Result: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=397478&raceId=941109