It really has been the most amazing start to the greyhound year. First we had the freeze-up and no racing at Shelbourne Park and other venues for a full month. Now we have the situation that because of many of our leading dogs lack full fitness, a prestigious event such as the Joe Dunne Memorial Puppy Stake has had to be put back a week in order to attract sufficient entries.

Former Minister for Agriculture Ivan Yates caused many a head to nod in agreement when, during a recent address to the annual lunch of the Dublin Greyhound Track Bookmakers, he commented that the first priority for Greyhound and Horse Racing folk should be to have the respective industries returned under the umbrella of the Department of Agriculture.

FEARS that yesterday’s Budget would deliver another serious blow to the Irish Greyhound Industry proved well founded when Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan announced that the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund for 2010 will be €59.264m, a reduction of 13% on this year’s allocation.

This year’s Vetsearch Irish Grand National has provided a marvellous fillip for hurdle racing in this country and has proved yet again that hurdling could become popular here if given the proper promotion by the authorities.

THE formidable Waterford father and daughter team of Mick Brennan and Julie Power must have a major chance of repeating last year’s success in the Vetsearch Irish Grand National following Monday’s first round action at Harold’s Cross.

THE Kevin Commins owned and trained Ferdia Bound was fastest in the semi-finals of the IGB National 750 at Shelbourne on Saturday.

The high quality of racing in the opening round will have whet the appetites of southern greyhound followers and we can anticipate a massive attendance at Curraheen Park on Saturday for the second round of the Cashmans Bookmakers Irish Laurels.

Classic action returns to Curraheen Park this weekend with the start of the 2009 Cashmans Irish Laurels and many of the best in training will take their chance in the Southern classic.

Three days to go to the world’s greatest greyhound race and, with the exception of Faypoint Man, there are no negative vibes emanating concerning the other finalists in Saturday’s Paddypower.com Irish Derby final at Shelbourne Park.

The College Causeway team will be anxious in advance of tomorrow’s Paddypower.com Irish Derby semi-finals at Shelbourne. A year ago their star tracker was a very strong favourite in advance of the semis but trouble down the far side saw him bid farewell to his prospects.