The semi-finals of the Connolly’s Red Mills Irish Laurels attracted a large crowd to Curraheen Park on Saturday night, and all who attended were treated to superb heats, in each of which the three qualifiers were covered by less than a length.

Derby final night last Saturday at Shelbourne would have to be deemed a great success. The stadium was packed, the action was brisk, the atmosphere was good, and the final itself produced a winner, Laughil Blake, who, in leading around despite a modest break, showed he possessed a touch of brilliance befitting a champion.

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.