Gilly Hepden's black dog Gotabetem won his Derby trial at Wimbledon and now goes for the competition proper as the biggest event in the sport gets under way this month.

He will be joined by recent big £500 race winner at Coventry, the Ian Wills-trained Droopys Kolo.

Dean Childs' trio of expected runners gives Oxford a nap hand of hopefuls.

Top Irish trainer Jim Morgan, who has two entries in the Derby, will base his hounds at Wills's kennels.

The greyhound world was shocked last Saturday with the news that Wimbledon trainer Ray Peacock had died in a car accident.

Peacock, one of the top trainers in the sport, was a regular open race visitor to Oxford.

The Oxford Owners Association stage their monthly all-trophy meeting on Thursday.

Owners only qualify for a trophy if they are members.

Trainer Michael Peterson managed only three third places with his seven runners in quagmire conditions on Coventry's open race card last Sunday.

Stadium bookmakers report brisker business with the introduction of open racing on Thursday nights.

Johnny Mayo has taken in two new hounds in Special Nix (Walthamstow) and Ethens Choice (Ireland).

Paul Clarke's Gee Up Doggy completed a four-timer at Wednesday's BAGS meeting.