Although the quarter-finals of the Sporting Press Irish Oaks topped Saturday’s programme at Shelbourne, the greyhound most were looking forward to seeing was Droopys Nidge, who had produced the fastest ever debut in Ireland when posting 28.09 in the first round of the ECC Timber Champion Puppy Stake.

It was as easy as 1-1-1 for trainer Graham Holland as he sent out three of Saturday night’s four quarter-final heat winners in the Gain Feeds Christmas Oaks at Shelbourne Park, all three racing from the inside trap.