Terry Atkins, Oxford's elder statesman among the training ranks at Cowley, had a weekend to forget when thieves stole his van and complete range of equipment including cages, muzzles and leads from his Windsor base.

However, just like Angie Kibble when she was flooded out last year, his fellow trainers have rallied round to help him out in the meantime.

Atkins has now hired a van to enable him to continue his business.

  • Due to the surplus of greyhounds on the strength at the moment, racing manager Gary Baiden is to rigidly enforce grading times for the 450m trip.

Two year-old greyhounds and older have to make the 28.30 mark, while puppies must achieve 28.50.

Triallists over 595m will have to post times comparable with their 450m runs.

  • Sparta Flyer, Regthefruitcake and Appleford Al, have emerged as the three leading candidates for the racing offices's greyhound of the year accolade.
  • The Oxford racing office face the task of grading 23 race cards in 23 days in the run-up to Christmas.

There will be three extra Friday meetings on December 7, 14 and 21 meaning there will be a total of 26 meetings throughout December.

Oxford have one of the busiest work loads in the industry over the holiday period.

  • One organisation that isn't upset that England failed to qualify for Euro 2008, is the greyhound industry.

All those live TV matches would have cost the industry thousands judging by pastxperiences.

  • The performance of Gloria Stringer's Kilfern Boy made a few sit up and take notice after he won the A3 in 27.06 on Saturday night, faster than the A1.

The June '07 whelp is owned by local stalwarts Derek Armstrong and John Moss.

  • Barnfield On Air, out of the same breeding as Oxfordshire Gold Cup winner Barnfield Jo, is a leading fancy for the 2008 Derby after notching six category race wins and breaking five track records.

He could start his likely assault on the Blue Riband by taking in the Pall Mall here in March.

  • The Oxford Owners Association stage their monthly awards meeting on Tuesday.