BRINKLEYS POET continued the Dartnall family’s love affair with the Select Stakes with victory in a trouble-marred RPGTV-sponsored one-off at Nottingham on Monday.

Trained by Matt Dartnall for Nic and Amanda Jeal, the Kinsley Gymcrack winner broke smartly and led into the turn and he and the chasing Sporting Dave were clear of trouble behind at the bend, which saw Shaneboy Freddie, The Other Reg and Innocent Times all knocked over.

Brinkleys Poet and Sporting Dave finished the £7,500-to-the-winner contest alone with the Dartnall runner clocking a fastest-of-the-night 29.56sec (+40) for the 500m distance, half a length in front of the running-on Seamus Cahill-trained star.

Irish raider Innocent Times was reported by the Matthews family to have suffered a few cuts and bruises but otherwise is free of injury, Shaneboy Freddie has a slightly swollen wrist reports Kevin Boon, while Pat Rosney said The Other Reg was none the worse for the experience.

Success for Brinkleys Poet landed a third Select Stakes win for the Dartnall team, with Matt’s father Terry having sent out that brilliant bitch Cleenas Lady to win back-to-back Nottingham victories in 2006 and 2007. She is one of a handful of double winners of the event.

Matt Dartnall said: “It’s great to have our name on the roll of honour again. It’s a great list and is a race which means a lot to us. We’re obviously delighted, although it was a strange feeling afterwards. It wasn’t a nice pick-up to be at, with just the two finishing.

“It was a bitter-sweet victory, but the reports today are more encouraging it seems, which is good news. Our boy took his chance well – trap four worked well for him and he’s got the speed to lead and stayed well – so much so he’s given us a few options to think about now.

“Nic (Jeal part-owner) wants to go for the Yarmouth Derby, so that’s on the agenda, but we might now have a choice between the Guys & Dolls at Crayford where he’s got the track record, or the Sussex Cup at Hove. Nottingham and Hove are pretty similar – it’s a nice problem to have!”

Winning owner Jeal, who owns Brinkleys Poet along with his wife Amanda, said: “It was a real shame how the race played out behind, and it could have been a lot worse am sure. Thankfully, Poet was out and gone and he’s just a fantastic dog when doing that.

“He’s got so much speed but stays 500m well enough – and credit all at Matt’s kennels for preparing him. The family have a tremendous Select Stakes history and we’re delighted to be part of that now.

“He’s been some dog for us. He was bought off the internet and we never had huge expectations – but he’s broken two track records now – at Kinsley and Crayford – won a Gymcrack and now won a Select Stakes. It’s a fantastic ride and we’re enjoying every minute of it.”

Nottingham director Nathan Corden congratulated the winners, but also expressed relief that the outcome of the race was not any worse. “We certainly had a worrying few moments, and Innocent Times appeared to come off worst, but he had a good journey back to Ireland.

“I’ve spoken to the Matthews family this morning and their runner seems to be generally okay. That’s a relief, as it was for all three. But Matt’s dog showed in his trial he’s a talented young greyhound and is a worthy Select Stakes champion.

“For a Monday night in the middle of the World Cup we had a good crowd, and a cracking supporting card. I’d like to thank the sponsors (RPGTV) for their support of what we consider one of the most important and cherished races in the greyhound calendar.

“In terms of the Select Stakes, we’ll look at certain aspects of it before next year with consultation with the GWA. A few opinions were expressed prior to the event, and on the night, and we will take them all on board and aim to make the 2019 Select Stakes even better than its predecessors.”