Boxing Day has a long tradition of being a day when the whole family can attend our greyhound tracks.  Many once a year attendees have over the years gone on to enjoy the sport to a greater degree with many even going on to become owners or even involved in working in the sport in some capacity.  In an age when attendances at our tracks are at an all time low Boxing Day meetings regularly attract huge attendances.  Central Park , Crayford , Doncaster , Hove , Monmore , Nottingham , Oxford , Perry Barr , Romford , Sheffield and Yarmouth all open their doors today which is a credit to them all.  It’s disappointing not to see more tracks taking advantage of what would no doubt be sell out crowds and with it an opportunity to promote the sport to what would no doubt be the tracks largest attendance of the year.  With such opportunities few and far between it’s an opportunity thrown away at a time the sport can’t afford to not take full advantage.
 
Sheffield is one of if not the most forward thinking track in the UK when it comes to welcoming in and then looking after the general public.  They stage a mixed graded and open race card this afternoon with something to appeal to most.  Ted Soppitt’s SKYWALKER ISAK was one of the runners withdrawn from the English Puppy Derby last week but makes an immediate return to the track in the Puppy Open at 326pm.  He was a good winner on career debut here at the Owlerton circuit and looks well drawn here to smash out and make all.  Diane Henry’s ADELES DUKE has been in flying form of late and comes into his sprint open at 404pm on the back of a five timer.  He can go in again to make it six in a row for a kennel bang in form.

ADELES DUKE fancied to complete six timer
Photo: © Steve Nash

 
Doncaster also stage a mixed graded and open card and Sean Parker looks to have a good bet on their card in the shape of LIGHTFOOT DOAK who is looking to complete a course and distance hattrick when she lines up at 151pm.  With any kind of start Doak should be around the bend and gone beyond recall.  Parker can make it a double with his JUMEIRAH BRIDGE (NAP) looking well drawn to land the spoils in the 242pm.  He’s plenty of early pace and he should get plenty of space with which to use it from a plot trap 1 draw.

Sean Parker fancied to land open race double at Doncaster
Photo: © Steve Nash

FIRST RACE TIMES
Central Park 1012am
Crayford 1045am
Doncaster 1pm
Hove 1014am
Monmore 117pm
Nottingham 1113am
Oxford 1017am
Perry Barr 1106am
Romford 124pm
Sheffield 1220pm
Yarmouth 1100am