THERE will be great anticipation on the terraces at Oxford Stadium this evening as we host the first Category One competition of our new era – the £10,000 Cowley Puppy Collar.

A full field of 48 greyhounds have been declared to run with eight Round One heats taking place on tonight’s card.

The competition will be held over the next four Fridays with greyhounds required to finish in the first three of their respective races to progress to the following round. By October 28, our 48-strong line-up would have been reduced to just six dogs who will contest the Grand Final.

There are plenty of familiar names taking to the track this evening, some unknown quantities and others who have clocked a series of eye-catching times in our recent trials sessions.

Lively Lauren sits in the former of those categories having raced twice here in September – winning her first run and placing second two weeks ago. She runs in Heat One at 6.53pm and looks a likely qualifier.

Matt Dartnell’s bitch was slow-away last time but ran on bravely to finish only half-a-length behind eventual winner Two Marks in 27.56.

The one element against Lively Lauren is her draw. Tonight, she’ll race from trap three with Oi Oi Joey and Mohican Piglet on her inside. Queen Gaga has the speed to spring a surprise from trap five but is likely to need some in-running luck along the way.

Elizabeth McNair’s FromPostToPillar is the competition’s ante-post favourite with our title sponsors StarSports at 7/2.

His trial times of 27.04 and 27.21 put him a class above his five rivals in Heat Seven at 8.45pm and it would be a major surprise if he doesn’t progress to Round Two with relative ease.

Ballymac Mags is the other greyhound to keep on side tonight. She looks to have the early pace and stamina to score in Heat 3 at 7.11pm for trainer Angie Kibble who will be hopeful for a good run.

Racing this evening begins at the earlier time of 6.38pm and all the action will be broadcast live globally via Racing Post Greyhound TV. We hope to see you trackside!

NAP – Lively Lauren, 6.53pm.

NB – Ballymac Mags, 7.11pm.