TRICKYS DUMBO added his name to one of the sport’s most famous rolls of honour as he  landed the RPGTV Select Stakes (500m) at Nottingham on Monday – extending his unbeaten UK career to four races, four wins.

Trained and owned by Robert Holt, Trickys Dumbo made all in the £7,500-to-the-winner contest to add to his RPGTV Puppy Trophy success on Derby Final night – becoming  one of the youngest winners of the Select Stakes in the event’s long history.

“However it worked, this was always his last race as a pup – so what a great way to finish his puppy career!” said Holt, who revealed he had originally intended to run the August 2017 son of Skywalker Puma-Quivers Duchess in a supporting 500m puppy race.

“Obviously I’d seen it was Select Stakes night and thought it’d be nice to see him run on the supporting card, but thanks go to Rachel Corden (Nottingham director) who asked me to think about entering in the Select first.

“I didn’t think he get in when I saw the list of runners. We know this dog is a good one – the best we’ve had – but he’d had just three races and was still young. Others had achieved more, although we knew we could give them a race.

“Anyway a few of the original names came out, and we found ourselves in it – and ready to go. He had a nice spa the day before and knew what he needed to do – and did it – and it’s time for the prosecco now!”

Holt revealed the first person on the phone to congratulate him was Charlie Lister OBE, former champion trainer and multiple Derby-winning handler. “I had plenty of texts, but Charlie was the first to call. He and the family go back a long way. That was nice.

“It’s all worked out well for him now. He’s still unbeaten here but we’re in no rush. He’ll have a short rest and we’ll think about a race or competition. It’s a nice position to be in, but we’re enjoying being a Select Stakes champion just now.

“There’s some great names on the list of winners and great to have joined them. Thanks go to Linda (Walters, assistant pictured below with Robert and Trickys Dumbo) who paraded him and looks after him. When he wins a race, he’s treated to some tuna and a bone – down to me on Linda’s orders!”

Nottingham director Nathan Corden said: “Thanks to RPGTV for the sponsorship and also thanks to the Greyhound Writers’ Association for their support in selecting the runners for the race – and the list of reserves, of which Trickys Dumbo was one.

“He was always a pup with great talent, you could see that on Derby Final night, but he’s run even better to win the Select Stakes. He’s run a fantastic race to stop the clock in 29.39sec which is quicker than his Puppy Trophy win.

“He’s no longer a pup but is clearly a special young dog. If he matures, as hopefully you’d think he could, he’ll be a major player for the big four-bend races towards the end of the year, and also those in 2020 – including, I’d imagine, the Derby.

“I’d like to thank the owners and connections of all the Select Stakes runners. It was disappointing for Julie Bateson to miss the race with Forest Jason after her van broke down on route to the track, but special praise should be reserved for Liam Dowling.

“He brought Ballymac Tas over from Ireland again. She ran second in the Derby and has now run second in a Select Stakes. She’s all class and hopefully her and Liam have a strong rest of the campaign.”