CLONA DUKE became the first Irish-trained winner of the Select Stakes with a show of pace and power to claim the prestigious JenningsBet-backed £10,000 one-off at Nottingham on Monday. In doing so, the Graham Holland-trained star tracker also completed his own unique big-race double.

Winner of the Time Greyhound Nutrition Select Stakes at Waterford earlier this year, the brilliant March 2021 son of Malachi and Coolavanny Pearl landed the English version to once again prove how well he travels having reached the Star Sports/TRC English Greyhound Derby Final at Towcester, setting new track records on route.

Lining up as one of three Irish-trained runners and two Graham Holland-trained entries along with the Derby champion himself Gaytime Nemo – Pat Buckley’s Ballinabola Ed completed the trio of visitors – Clona Duke broke well and made the bend in front from Brookside Richie (Jimmy Fenwick), last year’s winner.

Ballinabola Ed was also on the premises outside but Clona Duke importantly secured first run off the second bend and went on. He never looked in any danger thereafter and the Kevin O’Brien-owned two-year-old was not for stopping as he won by two and three-quarter lengths from the running-on Candolim Monsoon (Derek Knight) in 29.49sec (+30).

Romeo Command, the Derby runner-up, finished third ahead of Ballinabola Ed, Brookside Richie and Gaytime Nemo, in what was a highly quality field for the 500m contest – one which winning trainer Holland, having landed back-to-back English Derbys already this year, was delighted to win with one of his very first UK Select Stakes entries.

“It’s great to win a Select Stakes,” he said. “It’s a race as an Englishman I’ve always wanted to win, but never had an entry. I’ve watched it over the years, even when I was based in England, and seen the champions that have won it, so to win with Clona Duke is brilliant for us all. He certainly deserves it after running so well in the Derby.”

Co Tipperary-based Holland, who is considering returning to these shores with runners for the Produce Stakes at Swindon and (Premier Greyhound Racing) St Leger at Perry Barr, thanked the big-race sponsors and Nottingham for their hospitality to Clona Duke’s owners. He also thanked wife Nicky and daughter Rachel who travelled over with the team from Riverside Kennels.

Dave Baldwin, Arc’s head of racing (greyhounds), was delighted with how the entire Nottingham programme went given the card included not just the Select Stakes but the JenningsBet Puppy Classic Final and JenningsBet Select Stayers, a £2,000 730m one-off.

He said: “We had some incredible winners on the night with Glenvale Bill brilliant for Graham Rankin in the JenningsBet Puppy Classic Final and Space Jet just at her incredible best in the JenningsBet Select Stayers for Matt Dartnall.

“Well done also to Graham Holland and Clona Duke’s connections for winning the JenningsBet Select Stakes. It was a top-class performance against a great line-up and thanks must go to the Greyhound Writers’ Association for their selections. It was a tough choice for both the Select Stakes and Select Stayers but things worked out really well.

“Finally, our thanks go to sponsors JenningsBet for their continued support.”