Only five spots separated the winners of the dogs and bitches stakes finals at Nottingham on Monday night with the males marginally faster.
Kevin Hutton’s 7-4f Ballyregan Jimmy (Tullymurry Act-Black Hopit, Nov 14) came out top in the males race. Running from three, he led Old Joe Golden (T6 7-2) on the run-up and pulled away to take the £500 winner’s prize by two and a half lengths in 28.53.
Punters reckoned the £500 bitch’s final would see Greenhill Gem (T5 7-4f) reverse semi final form with Heroic Miss (Aero Majestic-Ruby Red, Sep 14) who had finished four and a quarter lengths in front a week ago. The opposite was true. running again from red, the 4-1 shot was soon clear and came home nearly six clear of Gem in an improved 28.58 (+40) for the 480 metres.
The performance of the night though was surely the performance of Mustang Major (David Bale-Mustang Halo, Sep 13) in a supporting 500m open. Richard Devenish’s even favourite clocked a career best 29.59 on his 17th attempt over course and distance.
