+ Welfarist Clarissa Baldwin is critical of tracks racing in temperatures approaching 34 degrees centigrade. GBGB boss Mark Bird issues a warning to tracks and several cancel trial and race meetings. Ladbroke Coral Head of Stadia Ian Smyth cancels Crayford cards but not Romford, on the basis of the different travelling arrangements for trainers at the two tracks. He also states that the decision whether to race or not will be entirely at the direction of the veterinary surgeon on duty.

+ Trainers rep Peter Harnden is critical of the GWA when no wide reserve is allocated for the RPGTV Select Stakes which is then reduced to five runners following the withdrawal of Whoops Jack. But the problems don’t end there. Red jacketed Shaneboy Freddie checks out at the first bend and collides with The Other Reg and Innocent Times with all three failing to finish. The race goes to Brinkleys Poet from Sporting Dave. It is the end of Shaneboy Freddie’s 108 race career with a wrist injury. But far worse is to follow for trainer Kevin Boon when just nine days later, kennel star Murrys Act is put to sleep after fracturing a hock in the semi finals of the Grand Prix at Sunderland. Kevin Hutton’s Golden Sprint winner Forest Chunk also broke a hock at the same meeting. Despite some raw emotions on the night, trainer Rab McNair states that he and Pat Rosney walked the Sunderland circuit before racing and found it to be in good order.

+ In his Star column Pat Rosney unveils a 15 month old unraced pup, Newinn Banger with the words “Breeder Jim O’Donnell thinks a lot of him, which is good enough for me.”

+ Media broadcaster ARC unveil their European Racing Channel which will be broadcast 15 hours per day from Greece.

+ Countryside Properties send out flyer to Kirkmanshulme Lane residents indicating that they plan to build 243 dwellings on the site of Belle Vue greyhound track. Promoter Clive Feltham responds: “We were expecting at some time a planning application from the freeholder to ascertain value .As it is a pension fund it must be seen to maximise value from its portfolio . The question is if it will be successful. Our lease can only be determined if they have a full development planning permission. Unlike Hall Green this is for affordable housing so value will be a lot less and with us paying 8% yield could be significant.”

+ 2015 Greyhound of the Year Swift Hoffman returns to England and will stand at stud with Jim Hayton.

+ Tony Collett had a bumper night at Central Park’s meeting in aid of the local RGT. He sent out six of the 11 winners including all three opens.

+ Gemma Davidson’s Crayford range is on lock down after a suspected case of canine haemorrhagic pneumonia.

+ Maireads Ivy won one of the most bizarre races of the year in the Kent Cesarewitch Final. Two withdrawals meant only four went to traps. On the second circuit, Mays Monalee went lame, Cooladerry Lid gave up chasing and Ivy got home by 23 lengths from Sunfire Penny. Meanwhile over at Hove, a heat of the Coral Ladies Trophy is made void when the stewards observe leader Swift Nadia being distracted by a fox at the third bend.

+ As the media rights battle rages, Henlow and Central Park increase their fixtures to five and six meetings per week respectively.

+ Solicitor Peter Cadman takes on the roles of chairman of the Greyhound Regulatory Board from the departed Robert Griffiths. Meanwhile John Coleman is elected as the practitioner director after winning 62% of votes in which only 23.5% of owners bothered to participate.

+ Litter brothers Zenas Zeus and Shoot The Bolt finish 1-2 in the 72nd British Breeders Two Year Old Produce Stakes at Swindon. The last time littermates finished 1-2 in the event was 12 years earlier when Westmead Joe beat sister Westmead Olivia – who is, incidentally, Zeus’s and Bolt’s great grand dam.

+ Droopys Trapper removed Derby winner Blonde Snapper’s name from the record books when setting the fastest ever time for Sunderland’s 450m – 26.49.

+ The GBGB have announced that they have appointed Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) as consultants for track preparation and maintenance in support of the 22 licensed Greyhound tracks.

+ Ex-Belle Vue and Doncaster RM Stephen Gray is appointed Director of Racing at Newcastle.

+ Ride London 2018 volunteers raise more than £8,000 for retired greyhounds.

+ Sheffield boss John Gilburn supports Pat Rosney when he complains about the absence of paid relief when The Other Reg breaks a hock in a trial at the track. Gilburn reports the on duty vet to the Royal Society and to the GBGB.