The next major competition in the UK kicks off tonight at Sunderland with the heats of the Premier Greyhound Racing Classic.
Six heats over 450m take place at the Wearside venue and I don't remember a better entry for the event!
There are major winners aplenty and Fire And Ice (7.41) is one of those as the Romford Puppy Cup winner and Matt Dartnall's dog looks good in heat one to begin his north-east campaign with a bang.
He's up against former Irish star and new Savva Roberts intake Stonework Hoffa so only the best will do early but a first-bend lead looks on the cards and, once in front, he could be a tough nut to crack.
Romford and Sunderland are similar in many ways - note last year's Classic runner-up Pape Di Oro winning at Romford earlier this year - and hopes will be high for Droopys Manowar when he goes in heat two. However, the latter is up against Links Maverick (7.59) who gets the vote to shine.
Indeed, Tom Heilbron's runner gets the vote ante-post and can pave the way for success with another show of early pace - it so nearly won him the recent Steel City Cup!
Pall Mall champion Aero Sacundai moved well in his prep trial at the north-east track and might just edge kennelmate Aero Pattika in heat three - Richie Taberner would certainly settle for a one-two here!
Last year's Classic winner Jonny Whiskers goes in heat four and is respected, but such was the impression left by Cinderella Tell (8.37) at Central Park recently when he gave King Memphis a real race that Paul Donovan's six-boxed runner gets the vote to triumph on his long journey north.
Tom Heilbron has a powerful entry for the Sunderland Classic and his Madabout Peck (8.56) catches the eye in heat five. He's run superbly - and fast - on visits to Romford this year and might set the tempo drawn inside leading local Laughil Larry.
Heat six could be a case of saving the best for last.
It features the David Mullins-trained Brindle Bully (9.14) who sparkled during the Coral Silver Standard at Romford and can kick off his second Sunderland campaign with a win.
Having run in the Sunderland Puppy Cup earlier this year, Brindle Bully knows the track and looks well pitched outside to kick off potentially a good 48 hours for this particular litter.
One of his brothers, Aero Pattika, goes earlier in heat three, while two more run at Shelbourne Park tomorrow in the heats of the Boylesports Irish Derby - kennelmate March On Freddie and Bockos Diamond. We'll chat about their chances tomorrow!
Romford and Nottingham are also on the OR trail tonight with the usual batch of Friday night opens at the former and more Premier Greyhound Racing Eclipse Trial Stakes at Colwick Park - remember the Gone To The Dogs - Live! cameras are there for the final on Monday, November 25.
Best picks at Romford are Pepinthestep (8.36), Mad For Sterling (8.54) and Cat Island (9.11) - for a Mark Wallis treble? - while Nathan Hunt's Seaview Sydney (7.06) is a value alternative to the brilliant Barntick Bear in the Nottingham final.
