THE opening round of the Ladbrokes.com Derby will draw to a conclusion at Shelbourne Park this evening and, with twelve heats, there should be no shortage of clues as to the possible outcome of the world’s greatest greyhound competition.

THE race for glory will commence tomorrow evening at Shelbourne Park with 150 greyhounds in pursuit of the €120,000 Ladbrokes.com Irish Derby.

SHELBOURNE Park will stage one of the most competitive Oaks finals in recent years tonight.

GREYHOUND followers have classic action on three fronts on Saturday night.

THIS year’s Sporting Press Irish Oaks has been right out of the top drawer and this evening there are two ultra-competitive semi-finals down for decision.

PLOUGH Lane will have a strong hint of green about it this evening as the Irish go in search of yet another victory in the williamhill.com English Derby. Our two representatives, Barefoot Bullet and Razldazl George, both hold outstanding claims in the stg£75,000 contest.

THE draw for the Paddy O’Sullivan Race of Champions at Tralee, due to be made yesterday, has been put back to today in a bid for more entries.

IRISH hopes of winning the williamhill.com English Derby hit a speed bump at Wimbledon on Tuesday night with the elimination of Razldazl Jayfkay, but we remain in a dominant position with Barefoot Bullet, Razldazl George and Melodys Royal all hold outstanding claims in this evening’s semi-finals.

PUPPY OAKS champion Droopys Twirl, is the likely favourite for the Sporting Press Irish Oaks which starts at Shelbourne tomorrow night.

THERE are no major competitions currently in progress at Shelbourne Park but tonight’s card is packed with real quality as many of Ireland’s fastest trackers prepare for their respective targets.

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.

FEARS that the current economic problems would decimate the sponsorship scene have proved unfounded and there was double good news this week with confirmation that existing sponsorship of the Easter Cup at Shelbourne and the Produce Stakes at Clonmel is to continue this year.

THE stars of tomorrow dominate proceedings at Shelbourne Park this evening in the final of the Comerford Cakes National Puppy Stake.

While there was no racing in Ireland last night, there are strong hopes that a virtual full resumption can commence this evening.

The weather continues to dominate the greyhound headlines and it was a blank countrywide last night with both Shelbourne and Kilkenny called off due to safety reasons.

THE meeting of litter brothers Farley Turbo and Farley Blitz in Heat 5 is the most intriguing clash in the second round of the Kerry Agri Business St Leger at Limerick this evening.

THESE may be depressing times but for greyhound followers there is some consolation in the quality of racing being staged countrywide.