The suggestion that graded racing is intrinsically more competitive than open racing is challenged at 
Nottingham every Monday night, and this week was just blown away.
The best example came in the final of the £500 Stadium Bookmakers 480 where Charlie Lister had the first two in the betting – Old Joe Golden (T5 6-4f) and Stay Lucky (T6 9-4) but where the race was dictated by Mick Hurst’s Rock Me Kewell (T4 6-1) and Glatton Gunner (T1 7-1). But in the latter stages it was Milldean Panther’s younger brother El Salvador (T2 8-1) who put up the most serious challenge. The two and four crossed the line together for a 28.75 dead heat.
And it seems punters can expect more head scratching next week as they try to unravel two more finals. The 500 metre maiden will feature Salacres David (Kiowa Sweet Trey-Salacres Gem, Mar 14) Airport Jumbo (T2 4-1), and Poppadom Pedro (T3 11-4). On first meeting it was Peter Harnden’s Salacres David (T1 6-1) who came out in front in 30.21 with the first four home separated by ‘three heads’.
A length and a half covered the three runners from the other qualifier (3/4, 3/4) which went to Gerry Ballentine’s black jacketed 5-1 chance Glenhill Di (Droopys Scolari-Katies Quadrigo, Dec 13) in 30.18 from Revilo Bob (T1 7-4f) and Mohane Lily (T5 5-2).
12 spots separate the finalists.
The 500 metre Standard Heats might have appeared easier to unravel with the previous week’s £500 winner Fred The Shred (T6 4-5f) back for more easy pickings. But he found one too good in Garryglass Penny (Hades Rocket-Bluebell Fantasy, Aug 13). Running in the white jacket, the 5-1 chance held off Boherna Pedro (T1 5-2) by three quarters of a length in 30.04.
The first qualifier had gone to Richard Devenish’s Mustang Major (David Bale-Mustang Halo, Sep 13), also running from white (9-4). The litter brother of Guys & Dolls winner Sheknowstherules held of 6-4f Faran Sexton (T2) with Noirs Allen (T4 7-2) in third.
The winner clocked 29.98 meaning five of the finalists qualified within 12 spots. The sixth – Fred The Shred – clocked 29.91 the previous week.
