UNION REBEL made it fourth time lucky in a Category One final when landing the Coral Golden Sprint at Romford on Friday – although there was no luck needed as Kevin Hutton’s runner oozed class in the £10,000 decider.

Lining up as the 7-4 favourite in the 400m showpiece, the black-jacketed runner was quickly into stride and on his way to claiming victory and a second Golden Sprint title for winning trainer Hutton after fielding the 2018 champion Forest Chunk. It was also a second Golden Sprint for owners Peter and Christine Sandbach.

The pair, who run the Union Inn pub just outside of Plymouth, part-owned 2019 champion Union Jack along with John Clarke and trainer Jean Liles and were delighted to have grabbed gold again with the sole British-bred in the competition.

Fourth in last year’s final of the BGBF British Bred Puppy Cup at Oxford behind Romeo Cypher before running-up to Southfield Poppy in the 78th BGBF Two-Year-Old Produce Stakes at Swindon, Union Rebel then reached the final of the Steel City Cup final at Sheffield behind a certain Wicky Ned, subsequently Greyhound of the Year.

“So it’s nice to have finally won one – more for him than us, although that’s also very nice!” said winning owner Peter Sandbach. “He certainly deserves it and thankyou to Kevin (Hutton) and Donna and all their team. He’s out of our Union Secret which makes it even more special and it might just be drinks on the house at the pub!”

Having set the standard in the heats with a fastest-of-the-night 23.67sec, Union Rebel then chased home Romford Puppy Cup champion Fire And Ice (Nathan Hunt) in the semi-finals but now reversed form when it mattered most in the decider.

Breaking smartly on his way to a 3.63sec sectional, Union Rebel was on his way to a brilliant and fast 23.57sec (+10) success over Fire And Ice, the pair the only runners in the mix off the second bend after crowding behind. The winning margin was four and a quarter lengths, with Pavilion Team (Mark Wallis) crossing the line in third.

The Hutton camp are now preparing for Saturday’s Trainers’ Judgement Night but Union Rebel will not be part of the team given he lacks experience of the Birmingham track.

“We’re looking forward to Saturday and Perry Barr and it’s great to head into that competition having got off the mark in terms of Category One wins for 2025 at Romford,” said winning trainer Hutton.

“We’ve won a few Trainers Championship Meetings – or Judgement Nights now – and it’s always one of our favourite night. We’re proud to be involved and a part of it – and it tells us year on year we’re doing the right things!”

Last word on Romford came from racing manager Mark Arkell who said: “Well done to Kevin and his team. They’ve enjoyed great success over the years here at Romford and it was good to see him back here with Union Rebel.

“Rebel stamped his authority on the event in the heats and came good in the final.

“On paper it looked wide open, but in a matter of strides Union Rebel put the race to bed. Given the time he clocked you’d have to say it was one of the great runs over 400m here, especially coming in a major final. Union Rebel is a worthy addition to the Coral Golden Sprint roll of honour.”