JONATHAN HOBBS: Nottingham stages a cracking meeting tonight live on Sky Sports Racing with a triple-header featuring the Arc Select Stakes, Arc Select Stayers and the Arc Puppy Classic Final.

The Select Stakes is the most prestigious one-off in the GBGB Calendar and features the big-race winners of the year clashing in a high-class 500m contest – and this year is a special one given the Derby champion Thorn Falcon lines up.

Patrick Janssens’ dog aims to become a rare Derby/Select Stakes winner, but faces tough opposition in the £7,500-to-the-winner event given major 2021 winners line up against him.

The Category One Puppy Classic has long been a superb event for the younger class and generally a stepping stone to canine greatness and this year’s line-up oozes quality – and the decision to run it alongside this year has Select Stakes and Select Stayers works well.

Supporting opens also grace the card at Colwick Park, so eyes down . . .

Nottingham

7.16 Antigua Cuddles could be an above-average new intake to Imperial Kennels for Mark Wallis. He has trialled in really well ahead of tonight’s debut and a sighter of Notts last week paves the way for a winning debut. Definitely one to watch.

Play: Antigua Cuddles

7.34: Little Venture looked back to his best with a fluent victory at Sheffield last time and, in his current mood, could be tough to hold. Tom Heilbron’s dog needs to be sharp to clear both Doolin King and Forest Gold early but could be away with his best foot forward.

Play: Little Venture

7.51: Great to see Sprinter of the Year Shrewd Call back on track and he could run fresh and fast for David Mullins in this sprint. Comeback trials have been decent, although a sharp start will be need to counter a move from well-drawn Ballymac Lusion here.

Play: Shrewd Call

8.36: It’s the Arc Puppy Classic final – and a competitive one at that. Both Coolavanny Aunty (Angela Harrison) and Bubbly Apache (Paul Young) arrive unbeaten in the competition and their early exchange really could be decisive. The former has a slight edge on the clock, but preference – just – is for Trumps Benefit. Carol Weatherall’s dog did well to qualify from the semis after crowding and his strong-running style is clearly suited to Nottingham and to Hove – where he recently won a puppy event supporting the Sussex Cup. Any sort of run into the turn and round the first two turns surely sees the black jacket in contention and he might be tough to hold thereafter.

Play: Trumps Benefit

8.52: Time now for the Select Stayers where Kishlawn Shakira gets the vote to seize the initiative early doors inside. Slower trappers either side surely gives David Mullins’ talented bitch a chance to get away, although Southfield Code will also soon be handy. Three Ems is a powerful sort and could be dangerous if turning handy for Paul Young.

Play: Kishlawn Shakira

9.11: It’s great to see the Arc Select Stakes back on the schedule after a Covid-affected 2020 – and we’ve got a great race to look forward to. Big-race winners aplenty line up and ruling out any of the sextet would be foolish. Preference is for Jaguar Macie who could make the most of the inside line to put pressure on her rivals next door into the turn. Kevin Hutton’s Signet Ace has strong leadability claims and might get away if clearing Tenpin (David Mullins) early, although that’s no given given the latter’s solid C&D win last week. Patrick Janssens’ Classic-winning Thorn Falcon’s all-round speed must be respected, while a smash break outside could pave the way for Pacemaker Ted (Tom Heilbron). The Mark Wallis-trrained Drumcrow Brent’s Hove form was top notch and he’s another powerful sort. However Graham Rankin’s Jaguar Macie looked unlucky at Monmore and revels over a stiffer test – note her previous Newcastle lines in the Angel of the North when she caught Coolavanny Bani who went on to win over six bends at Monmore. That showed the strength this top-class bitch has. She gets a narrow vote in a crackerjack affair.

Play: Jaguar Macie

Good luck all.

@Hobbsy67