RICHARD REES was delighted to end the year on a high with victory for the Hove trainer and his team with Shadow Storm in the Arena Racing Company National Sprint Final at Nottingham.

Justifying ante-post favouritism in the two-bend Category Two competition, success for the July 2023 son of Ballymac Best and Kilara Jessie put him right in the reckoning for the Sprinter of the Year title at the GBGB Awards in March.

Already winner of the Arc Scurry Gold Cup at Dunstall Park, the Marc White-owned sprinter took the £7,500 prize in front-running style once holding his position into the turn in the face of a strong challenge from Broadway Murty (Sean White).

However, keeping that rival at bay rounding the first and second bends, Shadow Storm was away and on his way to a fourth stakes success.

In addition to the Scurry Gold Cup, the half-brother of another crack sprinter in Quarteira also won the Coral Sussex Cup Sprint Trophy at Hove in August and the Time Greyhound Nutrition Sprint Trophy on English Derby final night at Towcester in June.

“We really couldn’t have asked much more of him,” said winning trainer Rees. “He’s won everything he could really, especially when you think the (Arc) Silver Salver coincided with his trips to Towcester so it was either one or the other.

“Towcester worked well for us then but the schedule means we’ll go to Central Park next year to try and complete the set, but there’s no pressure on him or us for that. To win four sprint finals is just great – including two big ones at Dunstall Park and Nottingham.

“And the picture of him and Jackie (Rees, trainer’s wife and assistant) on the front of the last GBGB Calendar of the year is a cracker. It’s a team effort here and we all do our bit.

“I’d like to thank Marc (White, Shadow Storm’s owner). He’s such an easy owner to deal with and just lets us get on with it. He chats with Charlie (Rees, trainer’s son and kennelhand) on race plans and about his races – and there’s certainly a buzz when they’re talking about this dog. He’s just got great speed and a brilliant will-to-win.

“Thanks to the sponsors and to Nottingham for looking after us on the night.”