ROMEO COMMAND led home a clean sweep for Patrick Janssens-trained runners in the Premier Greyhound Racing Eclipse Final at Nottingham – and could now close out his career with a British Bred Derby bid at Sheffield.

“I’m not sure when it will be, but I suppose retirement is not too far away,” said Janssens after the reigning British Bred Greyhound of the Year landed a second Category One title in brilliant style at Colwick Park having won last year’s British Breeders Stakes over the same C&D for his breeder and owner Dave Firmager.

Boasting a brilliant record at the east Midlands venue, Romeo Command lined up as the oldest runner in the £20,000 decider and took advantage as his kennelmate Romeo Steel paced up inside to deny fast-starting Wicky Ned a lead at the first bend.

That pair went head to head rounding the first two turns but left a gap up the inside which Romeo Command needed no second invitation to take, the January 2021 son of Dorotas Wildcat and Drive On Betsy surging to the front down the back chased by the rallying Romeo Steel before drawing clear on the run for home.

At the line, Romeo Command was three lengths clear of another Janssens runner in Slick Sentinel, who edged tiring kennelmate Romeo Steel for second. The winning time for Romeo Command, who completed a one-two-three for the Norfolk-based handler in the 500m feature, was 29.87sec (+20).

“We’ll go to Sheffield now with him and hopefully he goes well there – and then retains his best British-bred award! He’s got to have a great chance, especially the way he’s come back after a broken hock. I keep saying it’s a race at a time with him, but that’s true given the injury, but he’s been great.

“Dave (Firmager) says he’s almost the perfect greyhound when it comes to ones he’s bred and you couldn’t really disagree. He has an amazing record, has won so many races and competitions, reached so many finals, and finished second in a Derby.

“I’m delighted to win the Eclipse. Keith (Alsopp) won it with Slick Sakina a couple of years back and his dog has finished second tonight which is good – of course, for us, it’s nice to have the first three. Thanks to the sponsors and to Nottingham – the track has been in great condition throughout the competiton.

Nottingham stadium manager David Evans said: “It’s always a pleasure to have Patrick’s greyhounds here and he’s had a brilliant (Premier Greyhound Racing) Eclipse. When you think he also had some other runners well fancied unluckily knocked out it’s some feat training the first three home in such a great race as this.

“Many thanks to you sponsors Premier Greyhound Racing for once against backing the Eclipse and it was great to have the team from Gone To The Dogs – Live! also here.

“They’ve seen some great racing and I’m delighted to say we’ve also seen a few local winners which is always green. I know the Best Turned Out awards also went down well among trainers and kennel hands. We’re now looking forward to a busy Christmas!”