A quite stunning card of 11 open races gets the new year at the sport’s premier venue off to the best possible start.  Each of the 11 races are worth £500 to the winner and all are sponsored by RPGTV.  Those at the track and watching live on television will be treated to some of the finest greyhounds in the country competing against each other in what should be a night of racing right out of the top drawer.
The evening gets underway at 7.10pm with a 500m maiden and Kevin Hutton’s Wota Swell Party can get punters off to the best possible start.  This bitch looks to have everything needed to become one of the leading ladies on the open race scene both over four bends initially and quite possibly over further in time.  After two defeats in open class company , races which taught her a lot , she looked generously treated grading into A4 over course and distance.  Despite not being the best away from traps ‘Party’ soon put herself into a prominent position and her back straight pace was a sight to behold.  Taking up the running before the third bend she pulled further and further clear for a facile 10 1/4 length success in 2958 (+20).  Bockos Newman looks set to lead up on the inside for Belinda Green but ‘Party’ can pick that rival up in the latter stages.  Patrick Janssens Droopys Artisan is obviously pacey once his feet touch the ground as a 2951 trial here recently indicates however he’s leaving far too much in the traps to get himself into contention early and will need to eradicate that tardiness before too long if he’s to realise his undoubted potential.  A step up in trip for ‘Artisan’ will undoubtedly suit in the longer term however for the time being he’s one for forecast and tricast combinations.
The 500m puppy event at 7.25pm has the makings of being a great race between what should be the top 3 in the betting with the make-up of the event also likely to bring one or two of the others into the reckoning in the latter stages also.  Sharon Thompson’s Master Ten Ten got his UK career off to a winning start last time out and despite recording a more than decent 29.87 he left plenty on the track.  The move from the red jacket to blue will be beneficial and he’s once again a leading player here especially with his rival drawn inside in Richard Yeates Ballyblack Speed lacking much in the way of early toe.  It’s not with the greatest of confidence as there are more than one live challenger in the race , not least Patrick Janssens Deelish Frankie and Seamus Cahill’s Sporting Chile but the draw swings the balance in favour of Sharon Thompson’s greyhound so long as she gets a break from him.
A bitches 500m race at 7.40pm and it’s difficult to see how Kevin Hutton’s phenomenally fast Lights Out can’t be there or thereabouts at the finish.  This lady has got gears to burn and given the make-up of the race she should receive plenty of space with which to use them.  Unlikely to be available at anything like the daft prices she was before winning the Brighton Belle Final last time out however she should still be backable at reasonable odds given the quality of the opposition she faces.
A winner of one open over 500m at 7.55pm and from a perfect draw Patrick Janssens Distant Archie can showcase why both his breeder Sean Flaherty and connections hold him in such high regard.  His career here in the UK has been a little stop start thus far but his two latest trials around here have been top drawer.  This is a good race but anything like his sectional from his last trial of 4.13 will see him scampering quickly clear , he should have the middle of the track all to himself and if he does lead as anticipated then it would take some effort to back run him.  Granted he stays clear of injury he looks like becoming a leading contender for any event which Patrick Janssens places him.
A 500m standard at 8.10pm and Aussie Captain can give Patrick Janssens a quickfire double.  This greyhound had Patrick absolutely buzzing after his third-round victory in this year’s derby.  It was a terrific performance but one that Patrick believed could be hugely improved upon throughout the remainder of the competition.  Unfortunately his derby came to an abrupt end at the very next hurdle.  His luck has failed him at crucial stages since most notably in the final of the Yarmouth Derby and the semi-final of the Olympic at Hove.  There has been a little more consistency to him in his last couple of starts however with flawless runs over a course and distance which he excels.  He can complete the hattrick in style with another fluent break.
A 270m sprint at 8.25pm where the first and second in the recent National Sprint Final at Nottingham reoppose.  There was only a short head between Patrick Janssens Crossfield Dusty and David Mullins Shrewd Call on that occasion but there is no doubt that ‘Dusty’ was value for a little more than his on the line victory.  It could be another classic race between the pair but ‘Dusty’ can confirm the form.
Back to 500m standard company at 8.40pm and this one can go to Kevin Hutton’s ultra-consistent Forest Gold.  A greyhound with a huge heart who gives nothing less than 100% every time he sets foot onto a track.  ‘Gold’ gained the category one success than he deserved with victory in the Bresbet Steel City Cup Final at Sheffield in October and has since reached the final of the Eclipse at Nottingham.  ‘Gold’ should clear Jason Bloomfield’s Abigails Buddy drawn to his inside easily enough and so long as he doesn’t encounter too much trouble from David Elcock’s Russian Sammy he should be able to pick up the pace from halfway. The outside trio all have ability but look like they’ll struggle for a run from what look tricky draws.
It’s the turn of the stayers over 712m at 8.55pm and Peter Harnden’s superstar bitch Salacres Pippy can win once again over course and distance.  A dual category one winner in recent times including when landing the Hunt Cup around here in a track record time and subsequently winning the Cesarewitch over 874m at Crayford.  An eleven-time open winner in 2021 ‘Pippy’ can get her new year up and running with another fluent start from traps.  ‘Pippy’ will have to be at her best once again though with the likes of Mark Wallis’s Aayamza Dream in opposition.  It was surprising to many when ‘Dream’ was beaten after leading in the George Curtis and Ballyregan Bob Memorial Final recently but she’s an ultra-talented bitch who either beats or isn’t beaten far against the leading stayers in the country and should once again be thereabouts at the finish.
The 9.10pm race is standard in name only as there is nothing standard about the line-up.  A quality affair in which Patrick Janssens 2021 Derby Champion Thorn Falcon looks to get back to winning ways and though there was a lot to like about his last time out run , staying on late and well in the closing stages after trouble early , he could just find that Kevin Hutton’s Signet Ace is too far gone.  Usually ultra-fluent at the start he took a stumble leaving the traps in his trial over course and distance which goes a long way to explaining his sub-par 29.93 (+10) finishing time.  He can get back to normal service here and tear to the bend before setting sail for victory on what is his first competitive start since emerging victorious in the Eclipse Final at Nottingham early in December.  Droopys Addition , Gymstar Elusive , Candy Man and Drumcrow Brent are far from anybody’s fools however and it would be no surprise to see any of them putting up a real challenge to the likely front markers in the betting.
The 270m sprint at 9.25pm is a tough race to solve given that Peter Harnden’s bang in form and rapidly improving Salacres Lee has drawn the red jacket.  There is no getting away from the fact that red is a poor box from a breaking point of view in sprints around here.  Drawn in trap 2 or 3 and ‘Lee’ would have been an immediate selection.  Despite the draw concerns he’s still selected given the race is a fair chance to complete a four timer so long as he’s away reasonably enough.  Huge supporter of the sport Bernie Slater sadly passed away just a few weeks ago with his funeral taking place only a couple of days ago.  He was thoroughly enjoying watch ‘Lee’ progress and I’m sure he’ll be looking down from above and once again cheering him on.  Irrespective of tonight he remains a young pup to keep on the right side of with all things being well a big year in store.  Kevin Hutton’s Signet Mafia is pacey but isn’t the most reliable at the start , he’d rate the main danger with a break.
The second of the nights 712m races brings the evening to its conclusion at 9.40pm and Mark Wallis’s Blueberry Bullet can send the punters home smiling.  This looks an eminently winnable opportunity for a bitch who should be a leading player in the staying division this year and competition success would come as no surprise.  John Mullins Burgess Elite can follow the selection home and fill the forecast spot for those looking to add a little more juice to their returns.