NOTTINGHAM general manager David Evans is looking forward to a gala Bank Holiday Monday card at the Colwick Park venue – with a huge triple-header for one of their biggest meetings of the year.

Alongside the Arena Racing Company-backed Select Stakes and Select Stayers, two prestigious one-offs, will be the final of the Arc Puppy Classic, the semi-finals of which took place on Monday, and saw litter brothers triumph in two of those semis with the pair now lining up chasing the £12,500 first prize and Category One glory.

First up in the opening semi was the Sean Parker-trained Annadown Shadow as the September 24 son of Grangeview Ten and Annadown Cutie secured his place in a third Category One final when clearing his rivals with a superb show of early pace for a runaway six and a half length win over Irish raider Magical Marty (Patrick Guilfoyle).

The winning time for the 500m trip was a very decent 29.32sec (+30), but that was later bettered by Annadown Shadow’s litter brother Annadown Warrior who set the standard in the third semi as he, too, sealed his place in another major final for Maxine Locke.

Runner-up in the Juvenile Classic at Towcester to another litter brother Arthur Bitter, in a final in which littermate Annadown Shadow finished fourth, Annadown Warrior paced up in the Nottingham semi and forced his way past rivals into the lead, riding a bump, and went on for a three-length success over raw youngster Lady Gambet (Craig Morris) in a slick 29.29sec (+30) for the 500m trip.

In between the Carol Weatherall-trained Scooby Mustang followed up his fastest heat success with victory in the second semi, again posting the quickest split time (4.89sec) on his way to a three and three-quarter lengths success over another Irish raider Daleroad Magic (Patrick Guilfoyle), a littermate of fellow finalist Magical Marty, the October 2024 son of Mustang Jet and Scooby Duchess posting 29.41sec (+30).

It means two sets of litter brothers – Annadown Shadow and Annadown Warrior, plus Magical Marty and Daleroad Magic – will compete to add their name to a famous roll of honour, the event won last year by Patrick Janssens’ Romeo Alliance.

“It’s a great race – among a host of great races we have here on Monday,” said GM Evans. “It’s our special Bank Holiday Monday meeting. Hopefully the weather doesn’t let us down and we expect a decent crowd in for one of the sport’s most historic races in the Select Stakes, and the Select Stayers and Puppy Classic finals.

“Our thanks go to ARC for their support and I just want to remind racegoers that it’s free entry on Monday – if you book in advance online. You can claim up to six tickets online free with each booking – and we look forward to seeing you here at Nottingham.”