WEDNESDAY ROUND UP

There are three Category One events due to get underway on Saturday – worth £12,500, £15,000 and £20,000 to the winners.

The Arena Racing Company Kent Plate

The Kent Plate might have been padded out with a couple of wide seeded graders to get to the 35 entries, though if ever there was a case of quality hounds frightening off the opposition, this is probably it.

Last weekend, the KSS Syndicate sent out a five-timer in trialstakes. They are back on Saturday, along with a sixth runner. Many open race students would find it is hard to imagine a final without at least three Kings or Queens in the line-up.

Assistant Trainer Rab McNair was understandably erring on the side of caution but found it hard to contain his excitement.

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The TV Trophy

The TV Trophy worth £15K for just two runs over the Oxford 847m course received 21 entries for the 18 places.

Many of the entries, headed by Ballymac Taylor. However, she is joined by not only her Cesarewitch winning brother Garfiney Blaze, but their talented litter sister Ballymac Katie, bred and trained by Liam Dowling.

Jimmy Fenwick has also confirmed that this will be the last contest in the career of his brilliant defending champion Bellmore Sally.

The Premier Greyhound Racing Puppy Derby

With 62 entries for 36 places, the Premier Greyhound Racing Puppy Derby from Monmore has once again proved one of the most popular juvenile events in the Calendar.

The man tasked with deciding the first round runners is Racing Manager Tony Williamson.

He said: “There were a few that were right on the edge, but basically I used the criteria of trialstake winners followed by dogs who had broken 28.60 in trials or races. It was just a bit tricky when you had a couple with runs either side but you can only do your best.

“We could have done with more wide seeds as always, but fortunately, of the eight wide runners, seven has sub 28.60 form which was a relief.”

So what has impressed so far?

Tony said: “You’ve got to look first and foremost at Clona Curly after his sub 28.00 runs around here. He is clearly a very fast greyhound. Then there is Icemans Girl (formely 28.34 Clonmel winner, Epic Bella), owned by Gerwyn Price and trained by Nathan Hunt. She trialled well last night (28.42). The third would be Belinda Green’s Gary The Arb who has 28.18 form here.”