BLUE TICK GEORGE scored a hugely popular success for Crayford trainer Jim Daly in the George Ing St Leger Grand Final at Yarmouth on Saturday.

Fastest in the semi-finals the previous week having posted a flying split time, Blue Tick George was again first to show in the £7,500-to-the-winner final and a crucial lead over market rival Bo Shine Bullet ultimately secured this latest GBGB Category One prize for the Blue Tick Syndicate-owned star.

Runner-up in the recent Sunderland Grand Prix, the February 2018 son of Laughil Duke and Jaytee China was able to go one better this time, bossing proceedings off the back of another slick 16.19sec sectional. To her credit, Bo Shine Bullet kept on well in behind, but the eventual winner was not for catching.

Despite closing on the run for home, Blue Tick George still had a length and three-quarters advantage over Bo Shine Bullet at the line, winning in 40.31sec for the 659m trip. Jason Bloomfield’s Burgess Puma was a commendable third – but for winning trainer Daly it was a second Category One triumph landed.

Winner of the Coral Regency with Touch Tackle at Hove in 2015, Daly had also scored a ‘major’ success with Jesters Nap in the Puppy Derby, the-then Category Two showpiece live on Sky Sports at Wimbledon, in 2008. But Saturday’s triumph at the seaside meant more in many ways, as he explained.

“It’s hard to believe it was six years ago since we won our first Category One competition, let alone 13 years since Wimbledon! And Blue Tick George winning the George Ing St Leger at Yarmouth was every bit as satisfying and, in some ways, from a personal perspective certainly, even better.

“It was 21 years ago I left my job as head man to Charlie Lister and moved to Norfolk to marry my wife Kelly. Yarmouth was the local track and, to be honest, I didn’t feel like I fitted in straight away with the dog people in the area. As the saying goes, people like people who are like themselves. Norfolk folk are tight-knit. This perhaps cocky south Londoner wasn’t quite like them.

“I suppose it helped being the son-in-law of local greyhound feed dealer Beryl Perkins. She always sung my praises and, in the end, people accepted me.

“I love Yarmouth as a track. They’ve done a fantastic job over the years upgrading facilities and moving with what the punters want from a night out at the dogs.

“We’ve always enjoyed a good working relationship with the staff and the Franklin family, particularly Simon. There’s an emotional connection there. We’ve had some great times there over the years, some amazing memories.

“So when one of the first locals I met at the track last night said “Welcome home, son” you know you’re at a place you feel comfortable in. Yarmouth Stadium is a credit to the industry in every way. It needs to be looked after. It needs to be rewarded and given the chance to develop by the people at the top end. It’s a fantastic track.

“The Blue Tick syndicate itself was formed with the ambition of Matt Newman and David Mitchell to encourage new people into ownership of top-class dogs at an affordable price. The first one we brought in, a dog called Blue Tick Craic, wasn’t quite what we had in mind, although to be fair he did win a small open final at Harlow.

“So we went back to Michael Dunphy at the Droopys Stud and said we were looking for something top class. They sent us over Droopys Purpose and we renamed him Blue Tick George – and right from the start he ticked the right boxes. I mean four races in and he’s lining up for the £10,000 Coral Puppy Cup final at Romford!

“With that form in the book it’s no shock to see him turn out top class over further but nevertheless it’s still massively rewarding as a trainer to know he’s reached his potential in landing a Category One final now which we all drive for. I’m delighted for all the Blue Tick lads – they deserve this, and so goes George. He’s a star.”

Leading owner Jack Cranfield backed the George Ing St Leger in memory of his grandfather and was delighted to return the Category One competition to the schedule at his favourite track after the Covid break of 2020.

He said: “I thought it was a cracking event this year and believe the foundations are in place to build on the event, year on year. Well done to Blue Tick George and his connections – they were worthy winners – and once he’d paced up to lead again you knew it was his race to lose.

“I’d like to say a special thanks to the trainers who supported the other opens on the card. We all know geographically Yarmouth can be difficult for some trainers to get to, so many thanks to those who made the effort – and helped support a fantastic greyhound track and what we hope is a very special competition on the calendar.”