'The way it panned out was incredible' - Monmore trainer celebrates glorious victory

Monmore trainer Nathan Hunt admits he could not have scripted it any better after winning the David Lipsey Trophy in sensational fashion.

The six-race, six-trainer shootout at the Wolverhampton track last week saw Hunt's nominated Joker for the event, Senahel Sydney grab 20 points in the last race to seal victory for the Trinity Greyhounds kennel.

Held for the top six Open trainers in the country for 2025, Hunt struck at the 11th hour to take the spoils just ahead of Romford’s Paul Young.

And with racing cancelled at Monmore over the past few days due to the excessive heat, the Welshman has had ample time to reflect on the brilliant triumph.

“This year we’re finding it so hard to keep in the top six trainers, we’re getting lots of winners but you have to get to the big finals or win a Category One to get enough points, so it’s nice to just qualify for the David Lipsey Trophy – never mind win it,” said Hunt. “We were keen to qualify with it being at Monmore, and being a home track, I suppose that gave us a little advantage over the other trainers.

“Senahel Sydney, for example, knows the track so well. If I wrote a script on how it would turn out on the night, it couldn’t have gone any better really.

“Once we got the first winner on the evening in Sams Magic, we were able to enjoy it a bit more then. We didn’t really have any expectations, we just wanted to enjoy the night, so the way it panned out was incredible.”

The victory was even more sweet for Hunt after he narrowly lost out to Mark Wallis last year at Perry Barr.

The David Lipsey Trophy consisted of six races - two 480m, 480 Bitches, 480 Puppy, 684m Stayers and 264m Sprint - with each race worth 10 points to first, seven to second, five for third, three for fourth, two for fifth and one for sixth.

To make things even more intriguing, each trainer could nominate one greyhound as a Joker who was worth double points.

Hunt was the only trainer with his Joker still left to use going into the final race and Senahel Sydney did the business - beating Young's Underground Arlo by half a length.

“He’s such a consistent dog and is always there or thereabouts. Senahel Sydney felt like the best pick, and it all worked out perfectly,” added Hunt. “We didn’t necessarily think he would win but thought he’d have a good chance of getting second and maximising the points.

“We weren’t really expecting it, so watching him fly down that back straight, it was surreal. I didn’t quite realise how close it was – I thought he’d won it a bit clearer than that – but what a feeling.

“Hopefully, we can get enough points in the second half of this year and have the chance to defend the title in the event next year.”