DAVE BALDWIN, Arc’s head of racing (greyhounds), is looking forward to a huge night’s racing at Nottingham on Monday.

 

The JenningsBet Puppy Classic Final, JenningsBet Select Stakes and JenningsBet Select Stayers make for a brilliant triple-header at the Colwick Park venue with the perfect mix of precocious talent and proven and seasoned formlines – and Baldwin feels Monday’s card on Sky Sports Racing will be a great showcase for the sport.

 

He said: “These are three great events with new sponsors, so all credit to JenningsBet. I’d particularly like to thank Derek Somers at JenningsBet for his help and support.

 

“The Select Stakes is worth £10,000 to the winner this year – a tremendous prize for a one-off. It has a great history and during my own time at Nottingham I saw some top-class greyhounds competing for a unique prize in the sport – a great one-off contest where the runners are selected by the Greyhound Writers’ Association. They had another difficult task this year but it’s a great race, as is the Select Stayers.

 

“The firmly established Puppy Classic final is also on the card and we’ve seen some great performances from the youngsters and it’s another great race.

 

“I wish connections of all the runners here on Monday the very best of luck.”

 

Distant Podge was quickest on the clock in Monday’s three semi-finals of the GBGB Category One annual as the Barrie Draper-trained October 2020 son of Droopys Sydney and Distant Lucy made all in the first semi, posting a slick 4.98sec sectional on his way to a six-length success over Wolf Moon (Jill Llewellin) in 29.78sec (+30).

 

Lightfoot Clark struck for the Jimmy Fenwick kennel in the second semi as the 

January 2021 son of Ice On Fire and Pippys Jet finished the stronger to reel in Master Copy (Paul White) in 30.27sec (+30), with favourite Droopys Latest (Richard Rees) just edged out of Monday’s £10,000-to-the-winner final.

 

Impressive heat winner Bellmore Cricket followed up that victory with another impressive effort in the third semi-final as the Barry Denby-trained January 2021 son of Ballymac Bolger and Bellmore Lucy broke smartly and was never headed as he crossed the line three lengths clear of Crystal Cardi (Ben Reynolds) in 29.98sec (+30).

 

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=388223&raceId=865753

 

Form and draws for Monday’s finals: https://www.nottingham-greyhounds.co.uk/racing/