TWO of the sport's greatest and longstanding races take place on a cracking card at Perry Barr tonight with the finals of the Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger and M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup in Memory of Michael Lambe Senior.
Both the St Leger and Birmingham Cup have great histories dating back to 1928 and 1939 respectively - and history could be made tonight with Droopys Clue aiming to becoming the first greyhound to win back-to-back St Leger titles. He is a red-hot favourite to do so.
Seamus Cahill's champion is also the reigning Greyhound of the Year so comes into the final with the highest profile and should make no mistake.
Droopys Clue (9.52) lines up unbeaten in five races at Perry Barr and gets a perfect draw inside given Coonough Crow (Mark Wallis) is generally slower away next door, plus is likely to head to the middle of the track so clearing the way for the Cahill raider.
Thereafter, it might well be Droopys Clue's race to lose - and timewise there should be no stopping the Hove raider. Thunderstorms and heavy rain have been forecast in the area, but has proved able to handle such conditions with a runaway win in the heats.
Respect is due to the other finalists, of course.
Paul Donovan is a St Leger-winning trainer from his Wimbledon days with 2010 champion Droopys Bradley and sends out Tuono Bella, who will look to lead up, as will Clona Curly of Diane Henry's. The St Leger owes Henry after some close calls in recent year.
Robert Holt is set for a great night with finalists in both major events and has Trickycinderella running for him - he gave Droopys Clue a race in the semis - while the locals will be cheering on well-drawn Hurry Up Jordan of John Lambe's.
The Lambe family are backing the Birmingham Cup for the fifth year running and his runner would be a popular winner - and he's coming to the boil nicely post-break.
Darley Diglake (9.20) has strong leadability claims in the final of the M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup in Memory of Michael Lambe Senior and the local runner could hit his rivals for six, albeit the margins will be small here with huge pace into the turn.
Trained by Robert Hall, Darley Diglake would be a popular winner in front of the Perry Barr faithful who have watched him progress up the ranks.
However, any mistakes would be costly. Unanimous Leon (Tom Heilbron) and Long Fellow (Matt Dartnall) are quick to stride, with Rioja Bungle (Kevin Hutton) and Tricky Wiggles (Robert Holt) soon bustling them up - while Aayamza Sydney powers home.
Conditions could favour John Mullins's runner who will be flying through late.
Picks on the supporting card are Bill Russell's Arc Silver Salver champion Magical Bluebear (8.11) on home soil and Diane Henry's St Leger semi-finalist Savana Jackpot (9.02) over the shorter six-bend trip.
However, one of the races of the night could be later on when big-race winners Links Maverick (9.36), Aero Sacundai and Whyaye Man clash. Preference is just for Tom Heilbron's dog who is due a change of luck and could make the turn in front.
Doncaster stages the semi-finals of the Yorkshire Derby and BGBF British Bred St Leger tonight where catching the eye are Laurence Tuffin's defending champion Fabulous Dyna (7.24) in the six-bend event and Patrick Janssens' Droopys Doughnut (8.52) after a good effort behind kennelmate Romeo Command in last week's heats of the Yorkshire Derby.
King Memphis (7.44), beaten English Derby favourite in the Towcester final earlier this year, makes his reappearance at Central Park tonight and should build up to a Premier Greyhound Racing Kent Derby bid with victory - although is priced accordingly.
Monmore also stages a clutch of open races where the feature event, the Ladbrokes.com 480 Final can go to Nathan Hunt's well-drawn Bang On Edith (8.31).
