KILARA LION celebrated his RPGTV/GWA Greyhound of the Month win for November with a fourth competition win at Hove on Saturday – with connections now looking forward to Greyhound of the Year recognition.

“He certainly deserves to be considered, he’s had such a great year,” said Patrick Janssens, his delighted trainer, as the two-year-old continued a stellar year for the Norfolk-based set-up given Janssens will shortly be crowned Trainer of the Year.

Winner of both the Yarmouth Derby and November’s Ladbrokes Kent Derby, Kilara Lion added to that brace of GBGB Category One wins with success in a Category Three at Hove on Saturday. He also landed a similar event at Central Park in October.

“He’s won four finals this year which I’m not sure many others have,” said Janssens. “He’s a fantastic competition dog with a really great will-to-will. He was under pressure at Hove on Saturday but you knew he’d keep going – he just wanted the win.”

A February 2018 son of Droopys Jet and Kilara Lizzie, bred by Brian Kennedy, Kilara Lion comes from a classy litter which includes Irish Derby finalist Kilara Icon. He was previously trained by Doncaster’s Alex Hopkins before she took a break from training to have a baby.

“Alex is back training now but the plan is for ‘Louis’ to stay with us. Hopefully we’ve done her and the owners proud and we certainly love him here,” added Janssens of the Chris Crampton, Harry Crapper, David Priestley and Nigel Thomas-owned runner.

Kilara Lion scooped the Greyhound of the Month honour for November on the back of a brilliant performance in the Kent Derby Final – when he broke in front and made all to lead home kennelmate Lenson Whelan for a superb 1-2 in the final for their trainer.

“It was a special night, for sure,” added Janssens. “Lenson Whelan is a great dog and so consistent, but Kilara Lion was away and gone. He always needed a fast start to beat a good dog like Tenpin, even though we knew he had a tough draw.

“Thankfully he did and won well, as he did at Hove on Saturday, proving again what a  game dog he is. He loves his racing and, for us, he’s been one of the main points scorers which has helped us be successful in 2020.

“I’m very proud to have be Trainer of the Year but none of this would be possible without the help of Cheryl, Ria and Luke (Staunton), and Ron Mills.

“It’s a team effort here and all the greyhounds have been stars. We’ve got runners at Central Park on Sunday and then we’ll have a short break.”

In the poll of RPGTV viewers for the Greyhound of the Month award for November, Kilara Lion saw off the challenge of Birmingham Cup winner Droopys Carat (Angela Harrison), British Breeders Stakes victor Queen Dolly (Liz McNair) and St Leger heroine Smallmead (John Mullins).