PERRY BARR reaches the semi-final stage of its big-race double header tonight as places in next week's finals of the Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger and M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup in Memory of Michael Lambe Senior are up for grabs at the Midlands venue - on a busy night for greyhound racing.
Three semi-finals of both Category One events take place at the Birmingham track, while the heats of the Yorkshire Derby and BGBF British Bred St Leger dominate the card at Doncaster - and a fine entry has been attracted there too.
Starting at Perry Barr and the headline act is Droopys Clue (7.53) as Seamus Cahill's Greyhound of the Year bids to follow up a runaway victory in the heats last week. He is looking to go back-to-back in the stayers' Classic, which has never been done before, and can make the most of the inside slot.
However, keeping Haka Carlo at bay early doors will be key, while the latter's kennelmate Hopiehopiehopie bringing huge class to the table and will be finishing fast given her form over further - she was previously known as Ballymac Katie!
Savana Jackpot (7.18) held on in wet conditions last week and backers will be hoping for faster going tonight which will suit this possible front-runner. Diane Henry's dog goes in the first semi and, while needing to clear Greenwell Ange and Lively Lauren, might always be ahead of strong sorts such as Coonough Crow and Hurry Up Jordan.
The third St Leger semi can see Paul Donovan's Tuono Bella (8.28) get first run inside.
The Central Park raider won her heat well seven days ago and looks drawn for another bold show inside, although will need a decent lead to hold off the strong Magical Luna.
Three semi-finals of the Birmingham Cup also grace the card with Nathan Hunt looking to hold a strong hand.
His in-form kennel look to have big chances with earlybirds Cunnigar Yousir (7.01) and Seaview Sydney (8.11) in the first and third semi-finals, although fast starts for both are needed to clear and hold the likes of, respectively, Aero Sacundai and Aayamza Sydney and Darley Diglake.
The second semi can see Matt Dartnall's Long Fellow (7.36) strike - albeit again a slick exit is needed to clear his lines and get first run on fast-starting No Better Feelin and the strong-running Whyaye Man.
Well done to Doncaster for reviving the Yorkshire Derby which starts tonight with six cracking heats over 483m, with the Category One event supported by heats of the BGBF British Bred St Leger, a Category Two competition over 661m.
The picks at the South Yorkshire venue are Craig Morris's likely leader Romeo Hotshot (6.29), Carol Weatherall's strong-running Getup Me Boy (6.46) and Barry Denby's Leighas Dream (7.04) who gets a narrow vote in a brilliant clash against Patrick Janssens' duo of Romeo Command and Droopys Doughnut.
The Perry Barr action will be on the Premier Greyhound Racing service, with the Doncaster races live on SIS.
*YARMOUTH on Wednesday will see the first Gone To The Dogs - Live! broadcast featuring the final of the Click Competitions 78th East Anglian Greyhound Derby.
