The top-end strength at Cowley is about to take on a new look with the return of former dual champion trainer Nick Colton as contract trainer.

Colton, who was champion in 2005 before leaving to join Hall Green, will still be training at his current track Swindon, but will concentrate his top runners at Sandy Lane.

Racing manager Gary Baiden said: "The top grades at the moment are dominated by the kennel of Angie Kibble. It results in her having two or three runners in the same race which is not good for her or the owners."

Colton will be trialling in about 20 hounds on Monday.

OXFORD will race on Tuesday, March 24 when they stage the William Hill Pall Mall final.

The restaurant will be open for the event as it will on Sunday, March 22 for the popular Mothers’ Day BAGS meeting.

THE British Greyhound Racing Board, who took over from the NGRC in January, is to seek the views of all racing managers on the way ahead of the rules of racing.

Oxford boss Baiden is planning to hold a meeting with all the trainers to get their opinions on the way forward.

THE Oxford track, with the exception of a slight alteration to the camber at the first bend, received a clean bill of health from BGRB inspector John Haynes.

TRAINER Paddy Curtin has decided to sidestep the Pall Mall with his impressive Soviet Maldini in favour of a tilt at the Derby.

Maldini, who posted the fastest-ever debut trial in 26.68 last week followed up by winning a three dog trial in 26.75 on Monday.