One of UK greyhound racing’s most historic competitions returns to Perry Barr Stadium for a fourth year on Saturday night – and the region is well represented in Round One.
The Laurels was first held in 1930 and has been ever present in the sport’s calendar excluding World War II and the COVID-19 pandemic with former host venues including Wimbledon, Belle Vue in Manchester and Newcastle.
Perry Barr has held the £12,500 to the winner competition since 2021, and the Aldridge Road venue is preparing for three back-to-back Saturday nights of racing culminating in a Grand Final on Saturday, April 27.
And a third of this year’s entries are locally trained, with Kingsbury-based John Lambe responsible for three of them.
He runs Tullymurry Jenga, Good Spark and Fair Joe and hopes to go two better than last year when kennel star Hurry Up Jordan became his first ever Laurels finalists when finishing third behind champion Hawkfield Ozark and Goldies Perryman.
“We’ve had some good performances across the open race scene – but that big win has just evaded us this year,” said John. “Hurry Up Jordan was beaten a shorthead in the Queen Mother Cup, so we’re hopeful of some better fortune this time around.
“Tullymurry Jenga is our best chance and looks a nice prospect for the team. He’s a greyhound I would expect to improve as the competition develops and we’re happy with his draw in trap two – the closer he is to the rail, the better.
“Good Spark has open race form and has won races at the top level at Oxford. He’s in the form of his life right now and seems to have really come to himself which is timely.
“For Fair Joe early pace is his game. He’s more a sprinting type, so he’ll need to lead his race to advance past the opening round.”
Other Perry Barr representatives in the competition include Salmic Fitz, Darley Diglake, Strideaway Roxy, Noels Choice, Kilwest Ranger, Run Faster, Swift Prank, Mt Heaton Boyo and Porthall Chief.
Multiple Category One champion Links Maverick from north-east trainer Tom Heilbron is also entered while recent BGBF British Breeders’ Stakes winner Acomb Felix will also run plus Elizabeth McNair’s multiple Category One finalist King Capaldi.
Doors open at 6pm on Saturday, with the first of 12 races on the night due off at 7.11pm. The first Laurels heat will start at 7.41pm. Admission, trackside packages and restaurant bookings can all be made by clicking here.
The Laurels 2024 Round One draw:
Heat One: Salmic Fitz, Tullymurry Jenga, Links Maverick, Skywalker Tonali, Acomb Jasper, Bettys Jack.
Heat Two: Swift Josh, Wicky Hiker, Links Weapon, Darley Diglake, Acomb Johnny, Strideaway Roxy.
Heat Three: Noels Choice, King Capaldi, Acomb Irene, Good Spark, Blake Delight, Kilwest Ranger.
Heat Four: Jet Stream Angel, Vixons Filofax, Slingshot Sam, Fair Joe, Run Faster, Easy Molly.
Heat Five: Swift Prank, Acomb Felix, Brickwork Ruck, Slingshot Broxi, Mt Heaton Boyo, Swift Regina.
Heat Six: Porthall Chief, Aero Sacundai, Front Alice, Eze, Swift Silly, Inca Gerry.
