LINKS Maverick became the first greyhound to win the Stadium Bookmakers Pall Mall since Oxford Stadium reopened.

Trained by Newcastle-based Tom Heilbron, Links Maverick never saw a rival in the 450m final when stealing a length lead from the traps, after clocking a 3.90-second first sectional.

The two-year-old stretched his lead down the back straight before taking the £20,000 prize by four lengths with Angie Kibble’s Eze placing second and Hawkfield Ozark third.

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It marked Links Maverick’s second Category One triumph of 2023 after he won the Northern Puppy Derby at Newcastle in February.

Heilbron said: “He’s so good and never misses the start – I’d drive to the other side of the moon for this boy.

“We made a difficult decision not to run him in the Derby but winning the Pall Mall confirms to us that was the right decision. I’m over the moon. I genuinely believe he’s only getting better as well.

“He’s by far the best greyhound we’ve ever trained.

“Huge credit must go to Oxford Stadium for bringing this great competition back. It’s a superb track, and the atmosphere on the terraces is brilliant – the reception was tremendous.”

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