Ashford greyhound trainers Rab and Liz McNair are targeting one of the biggest prizes in the sport this weekend.

The husband and wife team have yet to win the coveted Golden Jacket, but have two chances in Saturday’s Final at Crayford Stadium with runners Havana Top Note and Havana Lover.

Worth £20,000 to the winner - provided by the sponsors of the race, Premier Greyhound Racing - this is the 50th running of a competition which was originally held at the old Harringay Stadium in London, first staged in 1975.

Both Havana Top Note and Havana Lover ran well in their Semi-Finals and hopes are high they shine on the big day in front of a bumper crowd at Crayford - with Rab confident his runners can produce their best when it matters most.

“Look, there are no excuses now,” he said. “Both know their jobs and are very good at it. They love racing and they loving winning, too, as we do!

“Top Note has probably been one of the most consistent greyhounds we’ve trained. He always gives his best and ran well in the Semi-Finals. He went off the front and they couldn’t catch him - then again Lover will want to do the same herself Saturday!”

Some of the most famous greyhounds adorn the competition’s roll of honour, including double winners Bobs Regan (1991/92), Wexford Minx (1994/95) and Newcastle’s Bellmore Sally, who has won the last two runnings of the 714m showpiece.

Other famous winners include Glin Bridge (1976), Minnies Matador (1983), Chicita Banana (1990), Heavenly Lady (1993) and Brian Clemenson’s Centour Corker (2003). Glin Bridge was trained by George Curtis, also trainer of Ballyregan Bob - the sport’s greatest ever.

The McNairs, whose kennels are just outside Ashford, are originally from Scotland but have been plying their trade in England as hugely successful trainers for some 20 years now, reaching the very top of the sport. Both Havana Top Note and Havana Lover are already champions and big-race winners in their own right.

Havana Lover won the Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger at Perry Barr, Birmingham, in 2022, while Havana Top Note landed the Challenge Cup at Oxford in December.

“The Golden Jacket is a competition we’ve yet to win, but would love too,” Rab added. “We’ve had one or two finalists and won some of Crayford’s other major competitions, like the [Ladbrokes] Gold Collar, but it’d be nice to win the Golden Jacket, for sure.

“I remember many years ago watching the Golden Jacket on World of Sport with Dickie Davies. If the horse racing was called off because of the weather, they’d go across to Harringay for the big race - and Brough Scott would introduce the runners!

“Fast forward to now - and we’ve got runners! It’s great and we’ll enjoy the afternoon. It’s one of the best races you’ll see - all six runners realistically have a chance, but ours are in great form and fingers crossed they do it right on the night - well, afternoon!”

The £20,000 Golden Jacket Final gets under way at 4.06pm and will be shown live on the Premier Greyhound Racing website (premiergreyhoundracing.co.uk/) and also on the Sky Sports Racing red button (channel 415).