BOMBERS BULLET landed Mark Wallis a third William Hill Grand Prix title as he franked the Derby form in a pulsating finish to the £15,000 final as Sunderland’s UK Festival of Racing came to a conclusion on an eventful night at the north east venue.

Sharing the stage with the William Hill Classic as one of four finals on the card – the voided William Hill Puppy Plate will be re-run as a three-runner affair on Sunday – it was Derby fifth Bombers Bullet who struck gold for the champion trainer and the owning Bruiser Boyz syndicate as he broke the heart of long-time leader Donation.

Favourite Lightfoot King missed the break, which allowed last year’s runner-up Swift Hansel (Annaliese Thompson) to pace up into contention and go on, before Heather Dimmock’s Donation showed a cracking burst of early pace to take it up before the third bend. It was a lead which she held until both the eventual winner and Swift Hansel swooped close home.

In following up the kennel’s successes with Blonde Fletch (2011) and dead-heater Hometown Honey (2013), Bombers Bullet was also ending what has been a tough run of form for Wallis – compounded by high-profile injury setbacks including to Bombers Bullet’s fellow Derby finalist Bruisers Bullet. He was, therefore, a delighted and relieved man afterwards.

“It’s been a tough time of late, really since the Derby,” he said after the 39.10sec victory for Bombers Bullet by a neck over Swift Hansel. “It’s nice to get a major trophy again and this dog deserves it, and so do the lads who own him. They had a great time during the Derby and, while things didn’t go for us in the final, they enjoyed the experience and want to do it again am sure!

“It’s a great festival and our thanks must go to William Hill for their continued sponsorship. It’s fantastic prize-money and we’re just delighted to take home the Grand Prix trophy – well the lads are anyway! There’s a few of them, so they might take turns!” added the Imperial Kennels boss with reference to the Bruiser Boyz – Billy Boyle, Stephen Potter, Alan Mills, Greg Hatcher and Brian Donnelly.

Speaking the morning after, part-owner Boyle said: “Wow, what a night – a big thanks to Sunderland and William Hill for their generous sponsorship and fantastic hospitality. That was Bombers’ four major final after Henlow’s Maiden Derby and Gold Cup, and then, of course, the Star Sports Greyhound Derby at Towcester.

“He’s improved throughout the year and has shown great speed and versatility. He really deserved that and had to battle really hard, but what he also showed again was tremendous trackcraft to navigate a run and get up close home. He’s a real superstar for us and we’ll have a chat with Mark to discuss what’s up next.

“I’d imagine a crack at the Monmore Summer Stayers is possible, providing he’s fine after this. Either way, I can’t go without thanking Mark and his superb team, especially Sid Huett, who took the dog up to Sunderland for his trial, for the heats and the semi- final. It was a real team effort, and, for me personally, not a bad present for my birthday this week!”

Results: www.gbgb.org.uk/resultsRace.aspx?id=2113824