TROY BELLA threw his hat into the ring for a Sprinter of the Year nomination at next month’s GBGB Awards when winning the end-of-season two-bend showpiece, the Local Parking Security National Sprint at Nottingham on Monday.

The race had been sadly reduced to a five-runner affair following the death of Salacres Punch, a victim of CHP, but retained huge quality as they went to traps for the £3,000-to-the-winner contest over 305m.

Breaking smartly, the Mick Gollogly-owned, David Mullins-trained three-year-old was always bossing proceedings and made all the running to score by three-quarters of a length from the Martyn Wiley-trained News Knight in 17.79sec, with Carl Perry’s Geelo Brezza coming home in third.

A delighted winning trainer Mullins said: “He so deserves this. He’s had a fantastic year – this was his 17th win – and to win the National Sprint is the icing on the cake. He finished third in this last year, having won the Scurry, so has been at the top of his game for a long while now.

“I think the draw in five always gave him a chance to break well and he’s a difficult dog to pass in front. He runs off wide and that can cost him races, but not many! I knew he needed the run coming into the competition, so has come right at the right time.”

Owner Gollogly, who has enjoyed a good 2019 himself as owner of the Mullins-trained Monmore Puppy Derby champion Troy Zico, believes the February 2016 son of Tyrur Big Mike and Fire Height Brid also deserved the Nottingham prize.

“We’ve never said he was the best, but he has been without question the most consistent sprinter for 18 months or so now. He’s won a hatful of races and two major sprint competitions now so I’m delighted. Thank-you to Nottingham for their hospitality and also to the sponsors.”

Nottingham director Nathan Corden congratulated connections of Troy Bella and was delighted with final night, especially given Saturday’s meeting at the Colwick Park venue was abandoned following an issue with the hot water supply.

“Thankfully the boiler issue we had was quickly resolved, and things went well tonight. We had a good crowd and some great racing – and a very worthy winner in Troy Bella. Well done to David Mullins and Mick Gollogly.

“It’s put the smile back on our faces after the sadness of Salacres Punch. We felt it here at Nottingham being he was a local dog – and a popular and talented one at that. We plan to stage a memorial race for him in the new year.

“We wish our customers – and all greyhound racing fans – a very Merry Xmas and can look forward with real excitement to next year and staging the Derby. It all starts here on Good Friday, so it’s one of the earliest Derbys ever – and will come round soon!

“We have a track here at Nottingham as good as anywhere and plan to build on our efforts in staging the competition this year. I know the Irish are keen on keeping the trophy over there, but we’ve got a pretty decent challenge shaping up including a dog by the name of Ice On Fire, who we’re all excited about!”