The £5,000-to-the-winner GBGB Category Two decider had been reduced to five runners following the unfortunate withdrawal of fastest semi-final winner Bombay The Joker (John Mullins). However, Storys Hybrid also won his semi-final and the 35-kilo July 2021 son of Droopys Sydney and An Cailin Alainn followed up in superb style in the 460m decider.

Quickly away, Storys Hybrid was soon in command and never looked in danger as he made it three wins in four UK starts – all in the Henlow Maiden Derby – by stretching clear of the chasing pack to cross the line six and a quarter lengths clear of Salacres Clyde (Peter Harnden) and Makeit Missy (Frank Gray) in 27.41sec (normal).

Romford-based winning trainer Maxine Locke, fresh from landing a four-timer on Friday’s open-race card at the Essex venue, said: “It was a fantastic performance and I’m delighted – the team are doing such a great job just now. I’d been away but came back to see us win our first final for a while, albeit we’ve been getting the winners.

“It’s just nice to win a big one and thanks must go to Storys Hybrid’s owner Gavin O’Mahoney who has recently joined us. We’ve changed things around a bit and the staff have done brilliantly well and Sunday was a lovely way to come back.”

Of the two-year-old himself, a winner at Kilkenny and Shelbourne Park before joining Locke’s kennels, the winning trainer said: “He came from Tom Leahy in great condition. Tom is Murt Leahy’s brother and Murt has his litter brother in Bonkersinyonkers who ran on the card on Irish Derby final night at Shelbourne on Saturday.

“Murt recommended him to us as a very nice pup and he was right, as usual! We have a fantastic relationship with Murt, Tom and the Leahy family – they’re great people – so many thanks to them and we’ll now think about the (Arc) Kent Derby at Central Park for Storys Hybrid. We’ll give him a spin round there and prepare him for that.

“But this has been a great start to his career with us. Winning three times at Henlow from four starts is great – he did well to qualify in the first round after crowding – and just improved his times in each round. Hopefully, there’s even more to come.”

James Chalkley, director of racing for the Kevin Boothby-promoted group of tracks, said: “It was a superb run by Storys Hybrid who continues to impress for Maxine Locke.

“Congratulations to Maxine and winning connections and many thanks to BetGoodwin for their tremendous sponsorship of the Maiden Derby at Henlow. It’s actually a very busy period for the track given the heats of the Henlow Maiden Gold Cup over 550yds take place there on Sunday – entries close at noon on Wednesday.

“It’s another Category Two event with a £5,000 first prize.”