BELLMORE SALLY added her name to a famous roll of honour when scooting away from her rivals for an impressive victory in the first £20,000 Premier Greyhound Racing Golden Jacket at Crayford on Saturday.

In landing the £20,000-to-the-winner GBGB Category One, the Jimmy Fenwick-trained, Neil McGregor-owned runner underlined her standing as an exciting young stayer as well as securing another title for a Newcastle-based trainer in 2022 after wins for Coolavanny Aunty (Essex Vase) and Freedom Alibi (Northern Puppy Derby) in the only other two Category Ones so far, respectively for Angela Harrison and Tom Heilbron.

With favourite Warzone Tom missing the break before pacing up, Bellmore Sally pounced. Well away and leading into the first bend, the December 2019 daughter of Droopys Sydney and Bellmore Lucy secured the all-important early advantage from Liz McNair’s Gold Collar champion and was on her way to a huge victory.

Keeping up the gallop and going further clear as Warzone Tom began to tire, Bellmore Sally crossed the line five and a quarter lengths clear of Droopys Senorita, with Claude Gardiner’s TV Trophy-bound keeping on really well to claim the runner-up spot ahead of Warzone Tom, Piercestown Dove (Derek Knight), Burgess Hannah (Tony Gifkins) and Antigua Lava (Mark Wallis). The winning time was 44.81sec (+30).

A delighted trainer Fenwick said: “Sally was our first Golden Jacket entry in a race I’ve always fancied have a crack at. It’s not round the corner for us, but it’s a prestigious race with good prize-money and that’s what owners and trainers want. We’re then more than happy to travel.

“We’ve always loved her and she showed lots of class in puppy races over four bends in good company, even though it was obvious staying was her game. Once she led at the bend we were always confident she’d stay there and she deserves this title. You always need luck, but Sally has a touch of class also.

“She ran so well and we’re all on cloud nine still. It was great that Neil (McGregor, owner) flew down on the morning to see her run and we’ve got options for some of the other big races now. The plan is to go for the George Ing St Leger at Yarmouth next month with a trial the week before.

“Many thanks to the sponsors on Saturday and to the Crayford management for their hospitality.”

Crayford racing manager Danny Rayment said: “It was a fitting start to this new series of elite events under the Premier Greyhound Racing banner – with a superb winner. Bellmore Sally exploded from the traps and quickly put the result beyond doubt, completing an unbeaten run through the competition in the most emphatic way in a fast time, too.

“Her connections had to endure very early starts to make it to the track each Saturday – but it was all worthwhile in the end! Hopefully they return here in May for the Jay & Kay Coach Tours Kent St Leger.

“Well done also to Nick Deas after Woodcocks Akia became the first greyhound to win back-to-back Peter Bussey Memorial Trophy Finals – this terrific fawn bitch seems to save her best form for this time of year!

“The Chief Ramsbottom Hurdle was another final to be landed by the defending champion as Nomansland Flyer got the better of a fascinating duel with Tommy Batchelor’s Droopys Ref – well done to Ricky Holloway and Simon Trubshaw, who had actually only recently sold the runner-up to Tommy!

“The other final was the Ladbrokes.com Winter One-lap Trophy and Jason Heath’s Only Maloney was a worthy winner as he made a successful return to the track to land the £1,000 prize.

“I’d also like to give special mention to Patrick Janssens’ Doolin Princess who was another runner returning to win the same race on the supporting card for the second year running as she landed the bitches contest.

“We now look forward to hosting the Entain Track Championship on April 16 and then the Jay & Kay Coach Tours Kent St Leger in May supported by the popular Guys & Dolls.”

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=382238&raceId=816078