IVY HILL SKYHIGH was rewarded for his consistency as the Mark Wallis-trained star landed a first Category One title at the fourth time of asking with victory in the Premarket Pets Blue Riband Final at Towcester on Sunday.

One of three finalists representing the 12-time champion trainer, it proved a bittersweet decider for Imperial Kennels as their Drumcrow Brent and Bryce Canyon were bowled over at the second bend, although both were given a clean bill of health afterwards.

However, kennelmate Ivy Hill Skyhigh grabbed gold in the £10,000 decider when catching longtime leader Signet Otis (Kevin Hutton) close home for a short-head victory, with Derby champion Thorn Falcon (Patrick Janssens) also staying on well to finish a close-up third.

After the early drama, it was a thrilling finish to the 500m showpiece with Ivy Hill Skyhigh landing the major prize his talents and versatility deserved.

He reached the finals last year of Monmore’s Stayers Classic (630m) plus Perry Barr’s Laurels (second) and Hove’s Sussex Cup over four bends – he was fourth to kennelmate and fellow Towcester finalist Drumcrow Brent at the latter.

Owned by lan Curtis, Eammon Johnston and Stephen Oliver, the June 18 Taylors Sky-Yahoo Perlena was recorded his 17th victory in 61 starts and the success delighted his trainer Mark Wallis, albeit first the wellbeing of Drumcrow Brent and Bryce Canyon was his first concern.

“They are fine, which is the main thing,” he said, “so to then win the competition with ‘Boris’ is great. I felt going into the event he had a definite each-way chance. We gave him a short break in December and it’s help to freshen him up.

“He gives you everything this dog. He runs both four bends and six bends and has reached major finals over both distances and deserved to win a Category One, so I’m delighted for his owners who were well looked after by Towcester I should add.

“Many thanks to Patrick (Janssens) and his company Premarket Pets for sponsoring the competition. It was a really good and classy event to kick off the Category One year over four bends and, of course, it was great for us to win it.

“It’s been quite a weekend really,” he added. “Our kennelhands and friends Kevin (Ulla) and Kat are leaving for a new life in Abu Dhabi this week and we wish them all the best. They will be greatly missed.”

Result: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=381579&raceId=810413

Presentation photo: Jim Tate