February

• Hove trainer Ken Tester hangs up his leads at the age of 77.

• Gavin Smith challenges the belief that certain tracks have ‘ping boxes’ (particular traps that provide a fast starting bias) by referencing sectional times.

• Star Sports offer a £50K bonus should the winner of the English Derby go on to land the Irish equivalent.

• King Lennon survives a run-off with Sonic Spur for a place in the Coral Winter Derby Final. But he can only finish second to 16-1 chance Volcanic Reef in the decider.

• Nottingham’s attempt to increase the banking at the bends is acknowledged by trainer Jimmy Fenwick (with pix).

• Meanwhile Towcester dig up the old ‘eight dog’ track and replace it with a new narrower circuit.

• GBGB advertise for the newly created role of homing coordinator

• Kim Sanzone reveals the origins of the hugely successful new Facebook rehoming site Your Greyhounds History.

• Champion trainer Mark Wallis is the victim of a disgraceful slur by serial fundraisers CAGED.UK and their allies at greyhoundscene.

• Belle Vue boss Mick Hardy is looking forward to the re-introduction of Friday meetings in late March.

• Shelbourne Park received only 30 entries for the planned 48 runner Easter Cup

• ARC announce that they are the new owners of Nottingham Stadium.

• Skilful Sandie, a joint ante post favourite delivers a first Cat One of the year for Patrick Janssens. Her winning time in the final is the fastest of the year.  – Following the race Sandie’s trainer reveals he almost turned her away.

• Crack sprinter Salacres Punch dies after succumbing to canine haemorrhagic pneumonia

• Greyhound racing lost a great former trainer with the death, following a long illness, of Ernie Gaskin (86).

• Former Doncaster director John Watson is jailed following a multi million pound counterfeit cigarette operation

• A letter from Rita Williams warns of the dangers of badly re-homed dogs.

• William Hill reveal that following restrictions of fixed odds betting terminals, betting on greyhound racing has risen ( a fact that will be become more obvious with the subsequent annual report of the Gambling Commission).

• GBGB reveal details of the new kennel standards – as agreed with DEFRA.

Ice On Fire is a stunning winner of the Racing Post Juvenile at Sheffield. It will prove to be his last ever race.