PAUL YOUNG took the training honours in the heats of the Coral Romford Puppy Cup at the Essex venue as Bubbly Magnum and Bubbly Bollinger landed a double for the local handler in the 400m youngsters’ annual.

First up was newcomer Bubbly Magnum in heat three as the October 2018 son of Droopys Jet and Lissan Eve made a stunning UK debut as he trapped smartly and made all to lead home Bramble Olivej (Steve Anderson) in 23.62sec (+10).

The double was later completed in the concluding heat six as Bubbly Bollinger overcame bumping on the run-up to lead at the turn and also run away from his rivals to win by five and a half lengths in 23.92sec (+10) from Bonville Nancy (Maxine Locke).

You Never Forget kicked off the event with an emotional victory for connections as the October 2018 son of Laughil Blake and Droopys Berry opened his account at the fourth time of asking for Crayford trainer Jim Reynolds and the owning Cobbys Crew syndicate.

Quickly away from the midfield, the youngster was soon in front and won by two lengths from Distant Tailor (Patrick Janssens) in 24.13sec (+10), much to the delight of his trainer Reynolds, who revealed the dog’s kennel name was Paul – after late owner Paul Cobb.

“Paul was a big part of the kennel as an owner with partner Lyn,” said Reynolds. “They won the Golden Sprint at Romford with us with You Never Listen and Romford really was Paul’s favourite track – and he and Lyn had plenty of top-class winners there together.

“Like Paul was himself, this Paul is a real gentleman in the kennels and takes everything in his stride and, given he runs for the Cobbys Crew syndicate, tells you what we all thought of Paul. He really was a gentleman.

“We got You Never Forget from Michael (Dunphy) who told us that because of Covid-19 he really was inexperienced and had only been in the traps a few times, but he’s impressed me every time he’s been to the track and has learned his job very quickly.

“His win on Friday was only his fourth race and was the first time he’d got a clear run in race conditions – so we expected good improvement and he didn’t disappoint.

“I actually told the syndicate after his first solo at Romford that he’d be a faster dog than Ballymac Micko!

“He’s come out of the race well and will benefit hugely now having a clear run.

“Because of Paul, it would be hugely fitting for a dog that was bought in memory of him to make the Romford Puppy Cup Final – that’s the hope, although we know you always need an element of luck in any race.”

Nathan Hunt’s ante-post favourite Our Boy Seamus did not disappoint in heat two as he paced up from the six-box to make all by six lengths from Mark Wallis’s debutant Antigua Bruiser in 24.02sec (+10) to stamp his mark on the competition.

However, the Wallis team did go one better in heat four with Our Lucky Lee who trapped smartly and made all from favourite Tenpin (David Mullins) in 24.12sec (+10), while Newcastle trainer Jimmy Fenwick’s long journey south proved more than worthwhile as his Lightfoot Ripley led approaching the third bend to lead home Black Hill Boy (Yvonne Gaskin) by three-quarters of a length in 24.19sec (+10) in heat five.

Mark Arkell, Romford racing manager, said: “We actually struggled to fill the Romford Puppy Cup this year which was disappointing, but we still had six good heats and certainly a few classy greyhounds came to the fore on the night.

“I thought Bubbly Magnum was extra special and certainly looks a nice prospect for Paul (Young) and the Champagne Club – and, of course, the champagne corks were popping again when Bubbly Bollinger won a couple of races later.”

Trap draw and form for Friday’s semi-finals: www.romfordgreyhoundstadium.co.uk/result/racecardform/2020/09/11racecardform1.pdf