Events / Darrell Williams / 26 August 2009 / Leave a comment

Charlie Lister has a good chance of achieving a hat-trick at Nottingham tomorrow night. It's just hard to know which of his three runners is most backable...

"Mario Gomez is a strong fancy in the Sprint final (8:00) at a track where he not only has an amazing seven from eight record over the 305m trip, but can also claim the fastest time of the year. A red hot heats win makes him conceivably the bet of the night."

The Select Stakes, whose history can be traced back to Wembley in the early fifties, is by virtue of its invitation status, always a race to savour, and this year's renewal at Nottingham on Thursday night - live on Sky Sports - is no exception.

By fielding half the runners Charlie Lister must have a great chance of adding to his two previous victories, the last with Some Picture way back in 1996, but trying to work out even the best of his three takes some doing.

While the trainer would have preferred Bandicoot Tipoki and Fear Zafonic reversed in the draw, both have solid records in their allotted boxes. More of a concern with Fear Zafonic for me though is his lack of a run since that agonising Derby final defeat and for that reason I've overlooked him.

Lister's third string - hardly fair given his consistent high class form - Farloe Reason, was fourth last year, and is arguably best drawn of all in trap four. Certainly his latest trial suggests he will be spot on despite an absence dating back to June and at the prices he makes plenty of appeal. Of the non-Lister runners, Windy Millar is always capable of a fast run, clocking the fastest time of the year here in February, as well as a quick trial the other week, but Cabra Boss who initially looked overpriced as the sole wide seed appears out of form on trial evidence after his early exit from the Irish Derby.

Crown Rover is likely to find things happening too quickly. All of which leaves Bandicoot Tipoki, who in addition to winning major prizes at Monmore and Sheffield this year, can also boast a 4/5 record for the CD - his defeat in the Monmore Gold Cup last week is easily forgiven from an impossible trap five draw - and with his price having lengthened since the draw, he gets the vote ahead of kennelmate Farloe Reason.

Nottingham should be applauded for such a high quality supporting card, headed by the Select Stayers (9.25), which while not a race that particularly appeals as a wagering contest, should fall to in-form Midway Skipper, who has twice beaten her main rival Bubbly Eagle in the races that matter, and can also boast winning CD form.

However, my best bet ideas lie elsewhere, with Droopys Taffy taken to further enhance his excellent local record (currently 4/5 over CD) in the Guys And Dolls final (7.40). His narrow defeat in the heats to No Pressure suggests he has suffered no ill effects from a second round Irish Derby exit.

Mario Gomez is a strong fancy to give Lister the Sprint final (8.0) at a track where he not only has an amazing seven from eight record over the 305m trip, but can also claim the fastest time of the year back in May. A red hot win in the heats makes him conceivably the bet of the night.

Sunoak Crystal, while something of a longshot for Select Stakes consideration, can claim the 480m Invitation (8.50) for in-form Julie Calvert. Just back on the card after two lengthy absences, she won well at Belle Vue last week and is taken to follow up.

Tags: Bandicoot Topiki, Charlie Lister, Darrell Williams, Farloe Reason, Greyhounds Betting, Mario Gomez, Nottingham Greyhounds Racing Track, Select Stakes Betting, Sunoak Crystal