DESPITE the gloomy economic climate, it has been a tremendous year for greyhound racing.

THE Townviewfoods.com Champion Stakes will come to a conclusion at Shelbourne Park this evening and fireworks are expected in the €20,000 contest.

EIGHTEEN of Ireland’s best will tonight battle it out for a place in the final of the €€20,000 townviewfoods.com Champion Stakes. All three semi-finals look exceptionally open and, with only two to qualify from each heat, there is little room for error.

This weekend must rank as just about the busiest of the year, with five major finals for decision and 21 Irish dogs in action in the Williamhill.com English Derby at Wimbledon.

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.

It is getting down to the serious end of affairs in the Pat Hennerty Sales Irish Laurels at Curraheen Park and the talk of the greyhound world this week is that intriguing fourth quarter final to be run on Saturday night.

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.