Central Park trainer Paul Donovan has been celebrating his ‘biggest win for years’.

Donovan won his first category one competition since 2010 when Runaway Dior scooped the £10,000 Brighton Belle at Hove on Saturday night.

The two-year-old black bitch completed a solo trial at the Sittingbourne venue before being marked as a 66-1 outsider for Hove’s showpiece competition.

A trademark electric start from trap six earned her a three-length lead at the first turn before she held off Seamus Cahill’s Dark Madam and Arena Racing Company Kent Plate finalist Queen Shakira to land the top prize.

The result provided Donovan with his biggest winner since Droopys Bradley won the St Leger at Wimbledon 15 years ago.

He qualified for the £20,000 Arena Racing Company Kent Derby final in 2023 with Asbo Lenny, but Saturday’s result might well have unearthed a new kennel star.

“It was a fantastic result - our biggest win for years,” said Donovan. “We knew it was within her talent to win the race and she ran on strong at the finish to win.

“Our plan worked out perfectly and I’m so thrilled for her owners Steve [Lamar] and John [Wales].

“The 515m trip is the upper end of her limit, but we’ll take a look at the calendar and piece a plan together for the summer - the Pall Mall at Oxford could be one for her.”

The win was made even more special for owners Lamar and Wales, who were both hospitalised ahead of the final. Lamar was discharged and managed to watch the race live trackside, while Wales celebrated from his bed at the Princess Royal Hospital in Sussex.

Neither knew one another had been admitted to the same hospital with separate health issues. Only a chance meeting meant the pair had something else to focus on other than Runaway Dior’s Brighton Belle final appearance.

“I thought I saw John in the corridor of the hospital,” said Steve. “I rang his number and only then found out we were both in overnight - what are the chances!

“Saturday’s result gave us both a huge pick-me-up. John had to remain in hospital but I’m sure he would’ve been cheering loudly.

“It was an outstanding performance. Paul knows how to get a greyhound in perfect condition and that’s exactly what he did with her. She flew out of the traps and didn’t look back, we’re so thrilled.”

Greyhound racing continues at Central Park on Saturday evenings with the first of 12 races off at 6.37pm.