PERRY BARR stages a brilliant double-header tonight as both the Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger and M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup in Memory of Michael Lambe Senior kick off with six heats apiece at the Midlands venue.
Two Category Ones, two impressive and stacked ante-post lists - and a chance for history to be made should Droopys Clue (9.36) land back-to-back wins in the St Leger.
Seamus Cahill's reigning Greyhound of the Year runs in heat five of the stayers' Classic and, having recently won the Ladbrokes Summer Stayers' Classic at Monmore, arrives in great heart and, fancied to win tonight from Clona Curly, might also repay ante-post support given he should always be in front of powerful runners such as Ballymac Taylor, Hopiehopiehopie and Magical Luna later in the event - can they back-run him over 710m.
The St Leger kicks off with a chance for Jason Heath's Haka Carlo (7.18), a litter brother of Ballymac Taylor and Hopiehopiehopie (ex-Ballymac Katie), to shine early doors. He has an excellent draw inside and the Hove raider might always be ahead of the ultra-consistent Coonough Crow.
In-form Magical Luna (7.53) gets the vote over Savana Heross in heat two. Kim Billingham's runner is equally adept over six and eight bends and should always be in the thick of things, while heat three can go to Paul Donovan's Tuona Bella (8.28) after her decent enough show last week in a prep race and every chance to set the tempo.
The clash of litter sisters Ballymac Taylor and Hopiehopiehopie in heat four is a cracker.
The former is the Dorando Marathon champion and super strong, while the latter won a heat of the St Leger when trained by Liam Dowling last year. However, preference is for Diane Henry's Savana Jackpot (9.02) who looked potentially one of the most exciting dogs in training at Monmore and goes well if coming forward over this distance.
The sixth and final St Leger heat can go to Baywatch Bullet (10.11) who finished right behind Droopys Clue and Queen Georgia in the Monmore final and should go well for Belinda Green's kennel from this red-jacket draw which give her the edge over last-time-out winner Lively Lauren.
Links Maverick (8.44) could go all the way in the Birmingham Cup after a decent enough effort in the recent JenningsBet Select Stakes at Nottingham - he hit the bend alongside eventual winner Unanimouspanther.
Last year's Standard Distance Greyhound of the Year is a multiple Category One winner and, while Pall Mall runner-up Long Fellow is a serious rival, a first-bend lead looks on the cards for Tom Heilbron's dog.
Nathan Hunt's Monmore Gold Cup finalist Cunnigar Yousir (7.01) could set the tempo in heat one and get away from his rivals, while Richie Taberner's BetGoodwin Pall Mall winner Aero Sacundai (7.36) might also land a trap-to-line victory in heat two - if clearing the useful Sir Oreo.
Tom Heilbron's Unanimous Leon (8.11) gets the vote in heat three after his rapid trial, although rule out Derby third Whyaye Man at your peril, while Robert Holt's improving Tricky Wiggles (9.20) might get first run on the returning and powerful Ayamza Sydney in heat five.
The sixth and final heat can go to Heather Dimmock's Droopys Extragud (9.52) against the well-drawn top local hope Darley Diglake. The selection showed up well behind the all-conquering March On Freddie at Nottingham.
Tonight's Perry Barr action is live on the Premier Greyhound Racing Service.
