Monday Open Report: Nottingham Puppy Classic Trial Stakes & Sprint Highlights
Monday night at Nottingham served up a high-quality open race card featuring three ARC Puppy Classic Trial Stakes, two ARC Sprint Trophy events, and a Stayers Trophy finale. With standout performances from future stars and established names, this round of greyhound racing offered big clues ahead of the upcoming Category One competition.
Monday Open Report – Nottingham
The Arena Racing Company Puppy Classic Trial Stakes races took centre stage at Nottingham last night with some of the top youngsters in the country running in preparation for the upcoming £12,500 to the winner Category One greyhound racing competition.
Race 1 – ARC Puppy Classic Trial Stakes (7.27pm)
The first open race of the night saw Ballymac Shontae, trained by Jimmy Fenwick, go off as the 2/5 favourite from T6. On debut, he slightly missed the break and couldn’t clear Return Package (T5). As they approached the first bend, Deelish Denzel (T2) nipped up the inside and took the lead, bumping Return Package.
Off the final bend, Deelish Denzel was holding strong, but Zenith Ottoman (T1) stayed on powerfully to hit the front and win impressively, with Harlequin Fifty finishing second.
Winner: Zenith Ottoman (Dave Mullins) – 30.28 – 12/1
2nd: Harlequin Fifty – 33/1
Forecast paid £182.12
Race 2 – ARC Puppy Classic Trial Stakes (7.44pm)
This one went the way of the favourite, Not So Steady (T4), who broke smartly and made all for trainer Patrick Janssens. He clocked 29.71 (sectional 5.05) and looks a major contender in the greyhound UK competition going forward.
Droopys Poker (T5) chased hard but couldn't get close enough, while Aghaburren Ben (T1) caught the eye in third.
Winner: Not So Steady – 29.71 – Patrick Janssens
Notable: Likely improvement to come from this lightly raced son of Ballymac Bolger.
Race 3 – ARC Puppy Classic Trial Stakes (8.01pm)
Arguably the race of the night. Romeo Alliance (T3), trained by Janssens, faced kennelmate Romeo Ability (T2) and Kranky Drake (T4).
After a level break, Romeo Alliance surged clear around the first bend. Kranky Drake chased hard and showed fantastic pace to grab second, losing nothing in a brave defeat. Romeo Ability stayed on for third and looks a strong each-way type.
Winner: Romeo Alliance – 29.62 – Patrick Janssens
2nd: Kranky Drake
3rd: Romeo Ability
Romeo Alliance heads into the main event as the one to beat in the 2025 Puppy Classic at Nottingham, a highlight in this year's greyhound racing UK schedule.
Race 4 – Sprint Trophy (8.36pm)
A little later on, the Arena Racing Company Sprint Trophy was won by Witton Thomas (T4) in impressive fashion as the Kevin Hutton-trained October 2023 son of Ballymac Cashout made all in 17.91 to reward those that snapped up the 4/6 on offer from bookmakers.
Race 5 – Sprint Trophy (8.54pm)
Another favourite obliged as Stonepark Hoffa (T1) made all to win by over four lengths in a rapid 17.57. Time Counts placed second at 33/1 and Noels Shadow took third at 8/1.
These performances contribute to the growing formline among central park greyhounds and sprinters to watch in the coming weeks of racing updates.
Stayers Trophy (9.28pm) – Six-Bend Finale
The final open race at Colwick Park saw Vale Bluebell (T3) take the ARC Stayers Trophy over 680m. Swift Home led initially but lacked the stamina on her first six-bend attempt. Vale Bluebell took control approaching the fifth bend and surged five lengths clear to win in 41.50.
This is back-to-back wins for the August 2022 daughter of Broadstrand Bono, and a defence of her Select Stayers crown could be on the horizon.
