The dreadful weather conditions yesterday made things difficult for some trainers heading for the English Derby at Wimbledon which starts tomorrow night with 11 Irish runners in action in the first session.

Derby champion Razldazl George will make his seasonal bow this evening when he lines out in the opening round of the College Causeway/Killahan Phanter Easter Cup at Shelbourne Park.

Having bypassed a planned trial spin at Shelbourne on Saturday night, leading Irish tracker Milldean Panther is likely to have his first trial of the year at headquarters this morning.

Tonight's programme at Curraheen Park accommodates the seven races which had to be abandoned last Saturday night and, with the addition of the semi-finals of the Richard Neenan Memorial A3, it’s a high quality program for punters.

THERE were some superb performances in the opening round of the Comerford Cakes National Puppy Stake, although initially there were few major changes in the betting.

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