Ned, Heka and Romeo shine on a thrilling night's action at Nottingham

Ned, Heka and Romeo shine on a thrilling night's action at Nottingham

The £12,500 to the winner Select Stakes went to Wicky Ned, with the Jimmy Fenwick-trained runner making all in 29.22 at 11/4. Well-drawn in T4, Ned pinged the lids and led round and went onto record a three-length victory with 2025 English Greyhound Derby winner Droopys Plunge (T3) catching the eye in second. Chelms Bear (T1) finished third. Romeo Steel (T5) slightly missed the break then showed huge gears into the corner to challenge. Slick Sentinel (T6) finished fourth with Irish raider Silverhill Freya (T6) sixth following a bump at the first bend.

"It was an excellent run," said Fenwick of his Greyhound of the Year.

"He had a a nice draw on the outside of Droopys Plunge and on the inside of Romeo Steel. It was a terrific race and there were some very fast dogs in the line-up, but I just felt if he came away well and beat trap two (Silverhill Freya) to the punch, then he would have a great chance to win the race.

"Obviously, he did that - he managed to get in front of trap two at the bend. Rome Steel was in hot pursuit but we knew if he could hold that rival off to the third bend, then Ned is really strong. It was then just a case of finishing the race of strongly and that's exactly what he did."

Speaking to trainer Patrick Janssens this morning he had this to say about runner-up Droopys Plunge: “He come out of the race really well. He did lots of running and found plenty of trouble. Taking nothing away from Wicky Ned, he was a terrific winner.''

Speaking about future plans Janssens added: "I don’t think it’ll be the Birmingham Cup next for Plunge. We might head to Central Park for the Kent Derby but let's see.’’

2025 Select Stakes winner - Wicky Ned. Image - Photo: © Steve Nash

The Category One Arena Racing Company Puppy Classic final at 8.19 over the four-bend 500-metre trip at the Colwick Road venue Nottingham went to the Patrick Janssens-trained flying machine Romeo Alliance from T1 in 29.24. Avalaible at 2s ante post, the October 2023 son of Romeo Magico was sent off as the 4/9 favourite for the final and had to overcome a tardy exit and a bump at lid rise to land the prize. Romeo Alliance paced up well into the corner and once on the bunny he powered clear to take the race by three and a half lengths with Whisky Else (T3) in second and Droopys Poker (T6) in third.

Romeo Alliance action shot. Photo: © Steve Nash

Trainer Patrick Janssens said: “He’s an amazing dog and has now won two puppy competitions, both unbeaten. Romeo Alliance and Romeo Ability are learning on the job. They just keep on improving and have come on loads.''

Speaking about Romeo Alliance Patrick added: "He’s capable of doing really fast times, he’s got good early, track craft and stays on really well. He’s the real deal and a proper Derby dog for next year.’’

2025 Puppy Classic winner - Romeo Alliance. Image - Nottingham Greyhounds X

The ARC Select Stayers at 8.36 also went to the Janssens kennel with Fabulous Heka making all from T1. Mongys Wild finished second, beaten four lengths by the impressive winner, who equaled the track record of 44.11 over the six-bend 730-metre trip at Nottingham. Speaking about Fabulous Heka, Janssens said: “She was competing with the best stayers in the country earlier in the year when she was a pup. Then she broke into season and has recently returned to action but was taken off her feet over 630 metres at Monmore. If she leads, she’s hard to beat. She drove the bends really well and seems to like Nottingham, so the St Leger could be a target for her.’’

Five on the night for trainer Patrick Janssens. Image - Nottingham Greyhounds X

Romeo Ability (T3) bolted up in the Arena Racing Company Birmingham Cup trial stakes race at 9.11 with a flying 28.06 track record win with Kilmore Dancer (T2) over five lengths back in second. Over the 480m trip there's a short run to the corner, so this was all on the break and once Romeo Abilty popped out it was all over bar the shouting for those that took the 4/5 on offer from bookmakers. 

Trainer Patrick Janssens added: “He doesn’t kennel great and got a little upset last week. This week he was down at the bottom of the kennels and seemed fine. He’s another that’s still learning on the job, and is another Derby dog for next year.''

Another winner on the on the night for the Janssens team was Romeo Tomcat, who took the Arena Racing Company Standard trophy open race at 9.28. Starting as the 4/6 favourite from T4, Tomcat led at the first bend and recorded a three-quarters of a length victory in 29.33: "We might go to the Yorkshire Derby with him at Doncaster next. He’s not done much since being knocked out the Sussex Cup at Hove and he left plenty on the track here, said Janssens’’

Arc Standard Trophy winner - Romeo Tomcat. Image - Nottingham Greyhounds X

Gundy took the Arc Maiden Sprint trophy at 9.46, another winner on the night for the Janssens kennel. Patrick said: “I got him for the Romford Puppy Cup, but he didn’t seem to like round there. He’s very green, and there's plenty to come from him. He’s a sprinter though, I don’t think he’ll get a proper four-bend trip.’’

Arc Maiden Sprint winner - Gundy. Image - Photo: © Steve Nash

A little earlier on, Nathan Hunt landed a one-two in the Nottingham-greyhounds.co.uk 480 Trophy final with Cunnigar Yousir winning from T4 with kennelmate Zebedee Cluasa in second from T1. Sent off as the 5/2 second favourite Cunnigar Yousir smashed out from a middle draw and grabbed the rails, Deelish Denzel (T3) set off after the race leader but checked off at the fourth with Zebedee Cluasa getting up on the rails to grab second late on. The forecast paid £4.43.

Nottingham-greyhounds.co.uk 480 Trophy final winner - Cunnigar Yousir. Image - Nottingham Greyhounds X

Rental Crisis took the Nottingham-greyhounds Sprint Trophy final at 8.01 at 4s from T6 in 17.86 with a length back to Newinn Souly in second from T1. Time Counts (T2) finished was a further one and a quarter lengths back in third.

Nottingham-greyhounds.co.uk 480 Sprint Trophy final winner - Rental Crisis. Image - Nottingham Greyhounds X