The 2021 Star Sports & TRC Events & Leisure Greyhound Derby was seven short of the optimal number of 192.

The 185 entries comprised of 103 railers, 48 middles and 34 wides. There are 39 Irish entries. Last year’s Nottingham hosted events was restricted to 96 runners, while the previous year saw 217 entered.

Spokesman Nathan Corden said: “There will be seven heats with an empty trap at this stage. There are no major surprises – all the top 20 in the betting are in there.

“It is disappointing that it didn’t quite fill but I think the quality of the Irish entry has put a few off. Instead of thinking, ‘I might nick a heat or two’, a lot of people seem to have thought, ‘for £250 entry fee, I’ll be lucky to qualify.”

The draw takes place live on RPGTV on Saturday