NOTTINGHAM keeps the open-race pot boiling with another batch of OR contests tonight as the Colwick Park track steps up the countdown to next month's Premier Greyhound Racing Eclipse.
The Category One competition will be the next featured meeting for the Gone To The Dogs - Live! team following Yarmouth and Romford and it promises to be a red-hot event judged on the names heading there, not least Friday's impressive winner Barntick Bear who will spearhead a strong Patrick Janssens team for the Eclipse.
Two Premier Greyhound Racing Eclipse Trial Stakes take place over 500m tonight, live on the Premier Greyhound Racing Service - and Robert Holt's Tricky Wiggles (7.44) could be the value in division one.
The Sheffield raider is up against Missile One who showed up well over C&D in the JenningsBet Puppy Classic and top locals Seaside Dogs and Links Weapon. The latter will head the rails early, which could clear the way for the outside duo to shine - and Tricky Wiggles might just get first run.
He ran well at Perry Barr during the Birmingham Cup at Perry Barr, finishing fourth in the final behind Rioja Bungle.
Division two of the PGR Eclipse Trial Stakes can go Seamus Cahill's Noirs News (8.54).
A kennelmate of Missile One, the Champion Stakes runner-up has his first taste of Nottingham tonight and will improve for the experience. However, his all-round pace should be suited to the contours of Colwick Park and the draw in trap six looks perfect for this regular winner to shine again.
Fords Gamble (8.19) gets a tentative vote at decent odds in the earlier Arc Sprint Trophy for Vicki Lea. Having just his second UK start, his Towcester trial work is eye-catching and the draw in trap one should aid his cause. However, improvement from his Notts prep spin is imperative.
*SHELBOURNE PARK will stage the last-48 stage of the BoyleSports Irish Derby on Saturday with UK challenger March On Freddie very much still in the mix.
David Mullins' runner came through powerfully at the third bend in Friday's second round heat to win again, albeit his prospects did not look too promising heading into that turn. However, pace and brilliant trackcraft took him to the head of affairs and he keeps the flag flying for the Brits heading into the third round.
*LEGENDARY bookmaker Gary Wiltshire features on the latest edition of the Gone To The Dogs podcast with Dani Jackson and Joe Conneely.
Wiltshire is in fine form, recounting his early days in greyhound racing through to becoming a bookmaker, the life-changing events surrounding 'Dettori Day' and the years that followed as he clawed his way back. It is a brilliant listen.
Catch the podcast here - https://open.spotify.com/episode/0hBmNqQdhdHMs2S26fItiK#
