RIOJA BUNGLE ultimately proved an emphatic winner of the BGBF British Bred Maiden Derby Final at Newcastle for the breeder, owner and trainer combination of Gilbert Anderson, Paul Woodburn and Kevin Hutton.

Pacing up well inside in the £7,500-to-the-winner Category Two competition, the September 2022 son of Ballymac Bolger and Bull Run Byte just nosed ahead of fast-starting pair Queen Ariana (Angela Harrison) and Blackhouse Alan (Stuart Ray) and, with hot favourite Romeo Jackson (Tom Heilbron) pacing up into crowding off a slower exit, Rioja Bungle turned the first bend in front and was away.

Drawing clear down the far side, Hutton’s charge was on his way to defeating older rivals as the youngest finalist went on for a three and three-quarter lengths success over Romeo Crossfire (Tom Heilbron) and Queen Ariana in a fastest-of-event 28.37sec (normal) for the 480m distance.

Making the presentation, Liz Mort, chair of the British Greyhound Breeders Forum (BGBF), said: “What a fantastic run and a fitting performance from the winner in what was a great final for our BGBF British Bred Maiden Derby.

“Congratulations to Rioja Bungle and his connections, particularly Gilbert Anderson who bred him out of his good bitch Bull Run Byte, who has another batch on the ground about to be earmarked by Ballymac Cashout.

“Well done to all the finalists and their connections. We saw six very good dogs make the final. In fact the quality throughout the event was top notch and I’m sure we’ll see more of all of them given the quality overall. There was a real scrum at the first bend, which cost favourite Romeo Jackson any chance, but Rioja Bungle got away smartly and, tacking across to the rails from trap two, was away.

“It was good to see five different trainers represented in the final. It’s a popular competition now and attracts entries from all over the UK. There were five litters represented, too, in the final although only four breeders given two David Firmager-bred litters were involved in the line-up.

“His February 22 Droopys Sydney and Fabulous Skylar batch was represented by second-placed Romeo Crossfire and Romeo El Aguila – although the latter has changed ownership and name now. He’ll be known as Whisky Eagle and is owned by Ben Owen and trained by Craig Marston. David also bred semi-final winner Romeo Jackson, who made his UK debut at Newcastle having schooled and run a few times in Ireland. He’s an August 22 pup by Ballymac Cashout and Fabulous Amalfi.

“Three Newcastle trainers were involved in the final with Angela Harrison handling third-placed Queen Ariana, a litter sister of Queen Joni, for Brendan Keogh and the KSS Syndicate, while Stuart Ray bred, owns and trains Blackhouse Alan. Tom Heilbron trained Romeo Jackson and Romeo Crossfire for the Firmagers.

“As ever, many thanks to Newcastle and Arc for hosting this competition and it was nice to see a British-bred puppy contest supporting the final. This was won in fine style by Paul Rutherford’s Wraysbury Oakley, an October 22 son of Confident Rankin and Wraysbury Dream. Well done to them and we look forward to doing it all again next year.”