Puppy Classic Semi-Finals: Alliance & Monarch Shine at Nottingham Greyhounds

Eight open races took place at the Colwick Road venue, Nottingham on Monday, August 18, with the Puppy Classic semi-finals plus the return of Star Sports / TRC English Greyhound Derby winner Droopys Plunge the highlights of a thrilling night's action.

At 8.01 in the Nottingham Greyhounds Standard Trophy open race, Droopys Plunge, trained by Patrick Janssens, was sent off as the 2/11 favourite but things didn’t go to plan for the November 2022 son of Droopys Sydney early on as he was badly crowded at the first bend and turned mid-pack five lengths behind Ballymac Odin who led round from T1. As they approached the third bend, Plunge made a brave move and drove up the inside of Loxleys Forest in T3 and set his sights on Odin, who was still a couple of lengths clear. Off the final bend, Droopys Plunge made his move and hit the front to record a three-quarter of the length victory in 29.79 with Loxleys Forest grabbing second and Ballymac Odin in third. 

                                                             Droopys Plunge in action on Monday, August 18. Photo: © Steve Nash

At 8.36 in the first of two semi-finals of the Puppy Classic, all eyes were on Romeo Alliance from T4 as the Patrick Janssens-trained son of Romeo Magico looked to make all and book his place in next week’s Category One final. At lid rise, Romeo Alliance trapped well, led round and this race all over bar the shouting. The winning time was recorded at 29.18 with three and a quarter lengths back to Kranky Drake in second from T6. Droopys Poker finished third from T5 and grabbed the remaining qualifying spot. 

                                              Romeo Alliance - Puppy Classic semi final winner at Nottingham. Photo: © Steve Nash 

The second semi-final at 8.54 went to Bouncing Monarch with a quick-away-made-all success in 29.83. The lightly raced January 2024 son of Deerjet Sydney took the race by just over three lengths with Whiskey Else in second from T5 and Aghaburren Ben in third from T4. Odds-on favourite Romeo Ability (T3) finished fifth following trouble at the third, send and third bends. 

                                           Bouncing Monarch - Puppy Classic semi-final winner at Nottingham. Photo: © Steve Nash 

The ARC Six Bend Dual Distance Trophy final at 9.11 over the 730-metre trip went to Champys Girl from T2 in 44.37 at 6s. Second favourite Beatties Electra (T3) took them along in the early stages with Champys Girl five lengths behind as they approached the third bend. Heading into the fifth bend, that distance was now down to two lengths, and it was race on. Off the final bend Champys Girl checked off and challenged down the middle. This proved to be a decisive move as Champys Girl hit the front late on to land the race by just over a length. Odds-on favourite Vale Bluebell stayed on for third but never landed a blow on the front pair. 

A little earlier on, Makeadifference (T5) took heat one of the Nottingham Greyhounds Sprint Trophy by two lengths at 5/2 in 17.75 with Time Counts second from T3. Starcash Best grabbed third from T5. Heat two saw a thrilling finish with Rental Crisis (T5) sticking his neck out to record a head victory over Newinn Souly (T2) in 17.74 at 7s. Newinn Bachelor finished third from T3 a length and three quarters behind the front pair. 

The PM International UK Rising Stars of Excellence Trophy at 8.19 over the four-bend 480-metre trip went to Carmac Cash from T3 at 15/8 in 28.82. The lightly raced October 2023 son of Ballymac Cashout turned third and then showed nice back straight pace to hit the front at the third bend before powering clear to record a six and a quarter length victory. Platinumheatwave (T2) took second at 4s with Untold Real (T4) in third at 6/4.

                            PM International UK Rising Star of Excellence Trophy winner Carmac Cash. Image Nottingham Greyhound X

Two heats of the Nottingham Greyhounds 480 Trophy heats took place at the end of the card with races at 9.28 and 9.46. The first heat went to the Nathan Hunt kennel with Zebedee Clauasa making all from T4 in 28.25 to reward those that took the evens on offer with bookmakers. Union Rose took second from T5, seven and three-quarter lengths behind the impressive winner. Deelish Denzel was a further three lengths back in third. The second heat also went to the Hunt kennel with Cunnigar Yousir taking the race from T1 in 28.74. The October 2021 son of Droopys Sydney paced up well into the corner following a moderate break and hit the front. Once on the bunny he kicked clear to record a three-and-a-half-length victory. Velvet Madrid (T2) finished second with No Better Feeling in third from T3.

Prior to racing, all eyes were on trials ahead of the upcoming Select Stakes and Select Stayers.

Silverhill Freya recorded 29.71 ahead of a tilt at the Select Stakes on Monday, August 25.

                                                                       Silverhill Freya - Nottingham trial. Photo: © Steve Nash 

Time Greyhound Nutrition 3 Steps To Victory winner Wicky Ned went round in 29.43 following a 5.01 sectional as the Jimmy Fenwick-trained runner returned to action following his run in the Time Dundalk International Open in mid-July.

                                                                          Wicky Ned - Nottingham trial. Photo: © Steve Nash 

Slick Sentinal clocked 29.78 over the 500-metre trip as the Patrick Janssens-trained wide seed also had a look round the Colwick Road venue ahead of the Select Stakes.

Rackethall Brute, who is returning to action following lameness during the English Greyhound Derby, clocked 29.83 following a 5.12 sectional.

Romeo Steel flew round in 29.29 following a blistering 4.94 sectional. Steel has the two quickest times of the year over the two-bend 305-metre trip at Nottingham and would be a runner if traps in best fashion in next week's £12,500 to the winner Arc Select Stakes.

                                                                        Romeo Steel - Nottingham trial. Photo: © Steve Nash 

Romeo Tomcat recorded 17.85 over the two-bend 305-metre trip at Nottingham. Recent Coral Sussex Cup semi-finalist Tomcat is on the reserve list for the Arc Select Stakes on Monday.

Mongys Wild clocked 40.95 over the six-bend 680-metre six-bend trip at Nottingham as the Mark Wallis-trained flying machine warmed up ahead of the Arc Select Stayers that takes place on Monday, August 25.

                                                                          Mongys Wild - Nottingham trial. Photo: © Steve Nash 

Fabulous Heka recorded 44.32 over the 730-metre distance. The Patrick Janssens-trained railer will take on Mongys Wild next Monday in the Select Stayers with £2000 up for grabs. The pair clashed at Towcester over 712 metres back in March with just over a length between them at the line.

                                                                          Fabulous Heka - Nottingham trial. Photo: © Steve Nash 

Upcoming opens

Tuesday: Swindon

Thursday: Newcastle

Friday: Romford