BRINDLE BULLY (9.14) gets a narrow vote to kick off a fantastic weekend for Romford trainer David Mullins with victory in the Premier Greyhound Racing Classic Final, tonight's showpiece event at Sunderland.
The live-on-the PGR service £20,000-to-the-winner final over 450m is a hugely competitive affair with various potential winners and some fantastic stories surrounding them - from Steve Anderson and Chloe Hardy looking to land the major prize their efforts deserve with Bramble Linton to Fire And Ice eyeing a second Cat One prize for owner Jonathan Deane and trainer Matt Dartnall after winning the Romford Puppy Cup.
Tom Heilbron went into the Sunderland competition with a number of chances, including the exceptional Links Maverick, and perhaps Unanimous Leon has surprised a few by making the final six for Tom and owner David Wilson, while a first big-race success could be landed by owner-trainer Garry Hamilton - and all at Star Pelaw will be cheering him on to kick-off things on a huge positive for the track's new owners.
Then there is Coolavanny Mercy who represents owners Tony Camsell, Fred Ellison, John Hardman and Bobby Lindsay - all loyal and longstanding owners in the north east with Angela Harrison and Jimmy Wright. Former trainer Jimmy suffers from MND and will be watching the final at home with his partner and trainer Angela and there would be no more popular winner than Coolavanny Mercy. And she has every chance.
However, Brindle Bully could be best placed to grab gold - especially if they fail to clear their lines inside. The Mullins runner won his heat well, reeling in Bramble Linton, before having the formline turned around in the semis. He will again pace up quickly and could be bang there as they swing round - and will not be stopping as he looks to follow up his Coral Silver Standard victory on home soil last month.
And, of course, his brother March On Freddie then goes in the semi-finals of the BoyleSports Irish Derby at Shelbourne Park, Dublin, tomorrow - also for Team Mullins.
Last year's Classic winner Johnny Whiskers is also on the Sunderland card tonight, representing Savva Roberts, but Tom Heilbron's Untold Ruble (8.56) looks best place to strike gold over the 450m big-race trip.
Other Sunderland votes go to another Heilbron runner in fast-up Romeo Cypher (7.41), Savva Roberts's speedster Stonepark Hoffa (9.32) and Carl Jackson's well-drawn Lion Heart (9.48).
Romford stages its usual batch of Friday night open races, also on the PGR service, and Maxine Locke's Tullymurry Dylan (7.11) catches the eye on his return home after a smart win at Towcester last week.
Paul Young's Droopys Standby (7.44) could escape the pack in a maiden stayers, while good to see Nathan Hunt's classy Cooladerry Dust (8.01) back on the card and he looks tough to hold over 575m in the Miss Monmouthshire 2010 Derby. Like it!
Other Romford fancies are Patrick Browne's fast youngster Gingers Prince (8.19), Dan Brabon's in-form Breaghmore Paudy (8.36) and Paul Young's Young Bucks (9.11), just third time up.
