We are a week away from National Greyhound Week - a celebration of British greyhound racing - and a week away from a gala card at Nottingham which officially the NGW kicks off.

And if the quality of tonight's semi-finals of the JenningsBet Puppy Classic is to be heeded, not to mention the trials and build-up to the JenningsBet Select Stakes and Select Stayers, two other major contests planned for finals night on Bank Holiday Monday next, then we're in for a treat.

Looking at the Puppy Classic semi-finals first and the ground that Droopys Extragud (8.19) made up last week on Swift Underwater suggests that Heather Dimmock's runner could be the answer to a brilliantly competitive affair in which a serious case can be made for most of the runners.

First-bend crowding gave Droopys Extragud a mountain to climb as Swift Underwater took off in front, but the Towcester runner stayed on well to be beaten just a length - he can reverse form with that rival. No Better Feelin and the exciting Missile One are added in to the mix and will certainly help make the market!

Syd Zafiro is a non-runner from the second semi which is a blow for the David Mullins team. However, it could play to Blackhouse Kim's (8.36) advantage. 

Stuart Ray's runner has an ace draw here given a vacant trap inside and, while Skeard Josie is respected having dodged a major bullet last week in the heats with a troubled run round the opening turns before staying on well to qualify, a smoother run into the turn from likely leader Blackhouse Kim might see him away.

March On Freddie (8.54) is developing into a classy sort and David Mullins' runner might always be calling the shots in the third semi.

He has been nothing short of imperious in back-to-back trial stakes wins and last week's heat romp and will again be motoring into the first bend ready to justify short-priced favouritism. Timewise he has chunks in hand on the clock, with the speedy Fire And Ice fancied for the forecast.

Other Nottingham fancies are Barry Denby's speedy Ballyhimikin Lee (7.27), Diane Henry's well-drawn galloper Burj Khalifa (7.44), Lynn Cook's impressive-last-week Good Romeo (9.11) and Colin Handford's recent intake Bettys Jack (9.46) after his first win for.

Nottingham nuggets

Ballyhimikin Lee (7.27)

Burj Khalifa (7.44)

Droopys Extragud (8.19)

Blackhouse Kim (8.36)

March On Freddie (8.54)

Good Romeo (9.11)

Bettys Jack (9.46)