BLUEBERRY BULLET claimed a well deserved first Category One title when reeling in Coolavanny Aunty to land a high-class George Ing St Leger at Yarmouth (659m) on Saturday.

The Mark Wallis-trained stayer, a consistent performer for Imperial Kennels and regular big-race finalist, paced up well on the inside and, as much of the field jostled for position at the turn, the August 2019 daughter of Confident Rankin and Cabra Twister was able to turn behind Coolavanny Aunty (Angela Harrison).

The Essex Vase champion kept up a tremendous gallop but Blueberry Bullet, trained by Wallis for The Bruiser Boyz, made steady progress and caught and passed Coolavanny Aunty on the run for home to win by a length and a quarter in 40.80sec (normal), with Belmore Sally (Jimmy Fenwick) overcoming crowding to finish a staying-on third.

Billy Boyle, who heads up the owning The Bruiser Boyz syndicate, said: “Having finished runner-up last year with Bo Shine Bullet to the gallant Blue Tick George – who it was great to see leading the parade for the final – it was fantastic to return to land the spoils this year with Blueberry Bullet.

“She really deserved that in what was her fifth Cat 1 final – and some final it was! To pick up a bitch of the calibre of Coolavanny Aunty was awesome. Twister came into this competition a touch fresher than normal, which was always the plan, and Mark and the team at Imperial Kennels have handled her expertly.

“This week the gaffer was pretty confident and I’m really pleased for all the staff that work very hard and, of course, to all the lads in our syndicate. They are good supporters of this sport and it’s these nights which make it all worth it.

“We’ll see how she’s come out of the race and have a chat with Mark about a possible tilt at the TV Trophy. Strangely she’s not had a season as yet and Mark feels, once she does, she’ll strengthen further and become even more consistent.

“With some luck we’ll enjoy more great nights. A big thanks to Jack (Cranfield) for his generous sponsorship and to the Yarmouth management who made us very welcome!”

Big-race sponsor Jack Cranfield said: “Firstly I’d like to congratulate Mark (Wallis), Billy (Boyle) and all the Bruiser Boyz – and to Blueberry Bullet herself. It was a great performance.

“I’d also like to thank all the trainers who got involved in this year’s George Ing St Leger. The standard of entry for the competition this year was just outstanding – and my thanks especially to those who travelled some distance such as Jimmy Fenwick and Angela Harrison’s team.

“I was honestly overwhelmed with the quality of the final. You could make a case for every single dog. It had everything – and it was great for our trainer John Mullins to have two finalists in Burgess Elite and Callmesteve.

“Overall it was a cracking night and stands the competition in great stead for years to come.

“I’d like to thank Yarmouth Stadium for hosting the competition for me again this year and I look forward to getting the 2023 George Ing St Leger into the GBGB Calendar once again next year.”

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=383450&raceId=826875