Monday Tips - 25 August 2025
After a profitable two winners from two on Sunday, Chris Oliver previews tonight's excellent card at Nottingham and runs us through his best bets.
Monday's best bets at Nottingham
***Newinn Souly (T1, 8.02 Nottingham) (2pts)
**Wicky Ned (T4, 8.54 Nottingham) (1pt)
*Ballymac Odin (T2, 9.28 Nottingham) (1pt)
All eyes are on Nottingham where some of the biggest stars in the sport are on show this evening.
The prestigious Arena Racing Company Select Stakes takes centre stage at 8.54 and a wide-open contest has been assembled for the £12,500 invitational over 500m. That said, there is plenty to like about the chances of Wicky Ned in trap four, as he could get a dream run to the corner if, as expected, Derby hero Droopys Plunge heads for the rails on his immediate inside. That could allow the reigning Greyhound of the Year to use his early speed to get first run and he would take some catching if doing so. Jimmy Fenwick’s dog saw Sheffield’s 660m trip out well when landing the Time Nutrition 3 Steps To Victory last month and he was only denied by half a length when second in the Time Dundalk International last time out, so he arrives in fine form.
Arguably the most exciting stayer for many years, Mongys Wild goes in the Arena Racing Company Select Stayers at 8.36 and, with only three rivals to beat, this should be all about one dog. Having already landed the Time Greyhound Nutrition TV Trophy, PGR Golden Jacket and Coral Regency this year, the Mark Wallis-trained star should make light work of this field. However, he is priced accordingly, so just sit and back enjoy this phenomenal talent strut his stuff.
It’s also hard to go against the short-priced favourite in the Arena Racing Company Puppy Classic final at 8.19, when Romeo Alliance should complete an unbeaten run through the Category One event. The Patrick Janssens-trained youngster did just that in the JR Racing Juvenile Classic at Towcester last month and nothing has got near him in two rounds of this competition so far either, posting a brilliant 29.18 (+40) in the semi-finals a week ago. He can steal a march in the red jacket and prove tough to reel in again.
Newinn Souly is more of a working man’s price in the nottingham-greyhounds.co.uk Sprint final (8.01) and he is fancied to reverse heat form with Rental Crisis. Kim Billingham-Hine’s charge contested the National Sprint final over this course and distance in December and was only denied by a head on his return here last week. He should come on for that Colwick Park refresher and can quickly assume command from a good draw on the fence tonight.
Zebedee Cluasa also has a lovely make-up on the rails in the nottingham-greyhounds.co.uk 480 final (8.01) and, following a very impressive success in by far the fastest heat, Nathan Hunt’s inmate can land the odds at 8.01.
In search of something at more appealing odds, there could be some value in siding with Ballymac Odin in the 500m contest at 9.28. Romeo Tomcat is warm order and the Derby Plate winner can improve for a sprint trial here last week, but he might have to do it the hard way and Chris Fereday’s runner may not be easy to reel in at a tasty price. He gave Droopys Plunge a fright when leading until the dying strides a week ago and that was his first outing since contesting a decider on Derby final night at Towcester in June, so he should strip fitter for the run. If that is the case and he can get on the bunny again, he will be best placed to capitalise on any traffic problems that the favourite encounters.
Romeo Ability was out of luck in the Puppy Classic semis but the Janssens representative can bounce back over 480m at 9.11, while his kennelmate Gundy looks the one to beat in the sprint finale at 9.46.
