Freddie sizzles to a Nottingham track record
March On Freddie produced a track record-breaking run to make the Jenningsbet Puppy Classic Final.
Journalists are often prone to hyperbole but it is hard to overstate just what a sensational run March On Freddie produced. Still a puppy and on just the 12th start of his career, he went quicker than any dog has ever done over Nottingham’s 500m. March On Freddie stopped the clock at 29.00, is it too much to ask the son of Dorotas Wildcat to go one spot quicker still next week?
“That’s a very good track record at Nottingham when you consider the amount of superstars who’ve run there,” trainer David Mullins said, “not least Skywalker Logan. So to have done that time is special and we’re delighted with him.”
A 28.44 debut at Clonmel suggested immediately that he was a dog to be reckoned with. He continued in the same vein when hitting these shores. “We always knew he was a good dog when he broke 29 seconds at Hove for 500m second time up, but he’s definitely passed our expectations,”
“Hopefully, he does it right next week, too, but racing is racing so you never count your chickens. Julie (Mullins, wife and assistant) was again with him on Monday – I just watched the race on the feed. I’m in two minds about whether we change the routine and I go next week too!
There will be a big crowd at Nottingham next Monday at the start of National Greyhound Week and hopefully, any newcomers to the sport can witness the latest superstar claim the crown. Now at the head of the 2025 Derby market, Freddie is the sort of dog who could make the public fall in love with racing again. No pressure team Mullins!
Mullins and the Puppy Cup
Puppy Classic semi-final replays
Droopys Extragud landed the opening semi for Heather Dimmock with No Better Feelin also qualifying for Chris Fereday. It was a messy contest with the winner making another final. The runner-up was an Arc Puppy Cup finalist, finishing in front of Extragud.
Semi-final two went to Kilgarran Jay, trained by Paul Timmins with Stuart Ray’s Blackhouse Kim chasing him home. Jay is the only local left standing and is capable of a better split than he won off last night. The second was an Angel of the North semi-finalist and an impressive winner of her heat last week.
Just sit back and enjoy March On Freddie even if you saw this last night!
Nottingham Select Stakes
Select Stakes clues before racing at Nottingham last night.
Of the eight nominees for the Select Stakes, six were in action during Monday’s trial session. The two missing were Superfast Gordon and Romeo Command. The former was due to trial but was taken out while the latter only ran at Towcester on Sunday.
Irish raider Unanimouspanther produced the quickest of the session with a flying 29.26 (+40). The Clonmel Produce Stakes winner showed up well in the recent Irish St Leger as well.
The draw for the Jenningsbet Select Stakes will be made at Nottingham on Wednesday by the firm’s Derek Somers. The runners for the 500m prestigious one-off worth £12,500 to the winner, were being confirmed on Tuesday.
Joe’s Tuesday Picks
*** 8.07 Crayford – King Snoop
** 9.23 Central Park – Fine Prosecco
*7.39 Central Park – King Kushner
A mixed evening at Nottingham last night. The Nap won well but the other two bets got beat. However, we are in a strong position in the ante post Puppy Classic market. We put up Droopys Extragud each way at 20/1 who is in next week’s final as well as the new track record holder March On Freddie tipped at 11/4 to win the competition who will be long odds on in next week’s decider.
Tuesday Nap
This evening we head to Crayford for the Nap of the evening where King Snoop is looking to make it a hat trick of A1 victories in a four-dog affair at 8.07.
He runs from trap three with a rapid improver on his inside (Ya No) but if King Snoop was to come away I would be surprised if he were to be led in this race and can go on to make it three wins in a row.
Tuesday Next Best
The next best is Fine Prosecco who can get back to winning ways in the lucky last at Central Park in the A1 at 9.23.
He hasn’t been trapping like he did when last winning a really strong A1 on July 13 so I’m hoping he can come away and clear the inside pair, if doing so he should go on to win here.
Tuesday Value Bet
Staying at Central Park for the value bet and into a handicap race.
King Kushner off the back of the handicap at 7.39 can reverse form with Sandling Bunny. When they met on July 30 Sandling Bunny was receiving 5 metres on King Kushner and beat him 3 3/4 lengths.
Sandling Bunny is now receiving 3 metres but I’m hoping there is enough in front of her in traps one, two and three to slow her up enough for King Kushner to take advantage and swoop late to win from off the pace.
Latest Category One Prices
Ladbrokes have their latest prices for the three Category One finals that will come up in a three-day span from Saturday to Monday.
Ladbrokes Gold Cup
5/6 Churchfield Syd 7/2 Antigua Eagle 4/1 Cunnigar Yousir 10/1 Ballymac John, Untold Euro 16/1 Seaview Sydney
Ladbrokes Summer Stayers
2/1 Droops Clue 9/4 Cooladerry Dust 5/2 Queen Georgia 7/1 Savana Jackpt 12/1 Baywatch Bullet, Coonough Crow
Jenningsbet Puppy Classic
1/4 March On Freddie 11/2 Droopys Extragud 12/1 No Better Feeling, Rioja Bungle 20/1 Blackhouse Kim, Kilgarran Jay
Upcoming trophies
Stats
- Ya Get Me – 4.22 Monmore – 4/4 in trap three, 0/8 drawn anywhere else.
- Piemans Angel – 5.31 Romford – 6/10 when clad in blue.
- Crying Old Kevin – 6.21 Doncaster – Makes his 150th career start at the track.
- Unleashthebridge – 6.26 Crayford – 5/6 from the six box.
