The Pat Buckley-trained Mind The Net set the standard in Saturday’s third-round heats of the English Greyhound Derby, when coming from behind the pace to take the third heat.

You may have noticed a number of changes to starting times at the tracks around the country in the last week or so. According to the board, this is to facilitate the use of the pictures in different sites around the world.

Racing Post Greyhound TV goes from strength to strength and must be applauded for its efforts and success in doing so. Such has been the quick take-up on the programme, they are currently doing a trial period of five shows per week.

By trainer Paul Hennessy’s own admission, Priceless Sky is not very well known on the Open Race circuit but heading into Saturday night’s semi-finals of the Kerry Agribusiness St Leger, he’s vying for outright favouritism with Derby winner Skywalker Puma and former Puppy Derby winner Sparta Maestro.

The inter-track action from Curraheen Park will certainly attract much of the interest at Shelbourne Park this evening, although there are one or two high-class contests on the card at headquarters.

Seeing as not one bookmaking firm has put up prices for the Red Mills Irish Laurels, we will try to sort out the likely ante-post fancies for the classic which commences on Saturday at Curraheen Park.

The draw for the Connolly’s Red Mills Irish Laurels took place at Curraheen Park yesterday afternoon and the track is set for a bumper night’s racing this weekend with the confirmation that all 11 first round heats will be run on Saturday.

When Owen McKenna’s Confident Rankin went around Curraheen in 28.25 in a trial last Friday he sent out a message that the Red Mills Irish Laurels is not going to be easily won.

The Ladbrokes Irish Derby moves a step further tonight with eight more first round heats at Shelbourne and this session will see the majority of the very strong Dolores Ruth team swinging into action.

There could hardly have been a better line-up for the Betfair 600 final, which will be featured on RTE’s first live telecast of the year on Saturday night from Shelbourne.

Barefoot Allstar produced a stunning performance in winning the Bettor.com Scottish Derby final at Shawfield last night.

The IGB yesterday released a statement in relation to the recent find of greyhound bodies in a Co Limerick quarry and revealed that they know the identity of the owners of some of the greyhounds.

The old adage “there’s life in the old dog yet” was pretty appropriate at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night as the veteran pairing of Broadstrand Lad and Tyrur Big Mike impressed in the second round of the College Causeway/Killahan Phanter Easter Cup.

WELL, here are virtually on the eve of the biggest day of the year in greyhound sport - the final of the Ladbrokes.com Irish Derby at Shelbourne Park and all is in readiness for what promises to be the night of all nights.

HAVING completed an historic Cesarewitch double earlier in the year, Definate Opinion completed yet another amazing double at Dundalk last night when retaining his Boylesports Champion Stakes title in tremendous fashion.

LAST year’s Hennerty Laurels runner-up Tubbertelly Dubh begins his build up to the Curraheen classic when he contests the opening round of the Larry Dunne Open 525 at Shelbourne on Saturday night.

The appointment of Phil Meaney as Chairman of Bord na gCon, as exclusively reported in yesterday’s Irish Examiner, was confirmed yesterday morning by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney.

DOLORES Ruth is responsible for the favourite in both semi-finals of the College Causeway/Killahan Phanter Easter Cup at Shelbourne Park this evening and while both look likely to qualify for next week's final they will need to be on their toes to emerge on top this evening.

The Irish team has made a fine start to the Scottish Derby and three members will be in action in the semi-finals at Shawfield on Saturday.

The College Causeway/Killahan Phanter Easter Cup picture changed drastically yesterday when two high-profile withdrawals from next Saturday’s second round resulted in Thurlesbeg Joker becoming a very hot favourite to land the prestigious Shelbourne Park feature.

CLONMEL manager Eddie Anderson was a very pleased man yesterday when he reported that the Red Mills Produce Stakes had filled with 96 entries and all is now in readiness for the great feature which is the highlight of the racing year at the South Tipperary venue.

THE greyhounds of the year will be honoured at a lunchtime function in Limerick on Sunday, March 7th and the nominations for the various awards were selected at a meeting in Shelbourne Park last week.

THE opening round of the Blue Square English Derby concluded at Wimbledon on Saturday and it’s safe to say it went well for the Irish, writes Michael Fortune.

Imperial Stride booked his return to the big time with a stylish victory in the 32Red.com September Stakes at Newmarket.

Connections of Imperial Stride, trained by Michael Stoute (pictured) have high hopes their progressive colt can complete a four-timer in the 32Red.com September Stakes at Newmarket tomorrow.

Powerscourt made amends for his demotion from first place in the Arlington Million 12 months ago with a brilliant victory in Chicago’s Grade One showpiece.

NEVER GIVE UP can make a triumphant return in the Open 525 at tonight’s benefit meeting at Curraheen, in aid of Ballygarvan GAA Club.

WAIT for the last, the Richmond Race over a mile, at Leopardstown tonight before having a half-decent bet and row in with John Oxx’s Hanabad.