Ashford greyhound trainers Elizabeth and Rab McNair are on the cusp of a historic win at the English Greyhound Derby final.

The couple, who moved to Ashford from Mauchline in Scotland in 2003 and are attached to Central Park Stadium in Sittingbourne, have worked with greyhounds seven-days-a-week since, winning some of the sport’s most prestigious competitions.

Despite qualifying for the final on three occasions, they are yet to lift the trophy which was first won in 1927 and once held by the late Prince Philip - whose greyhound Camira Flash won in 1968.

Elizabeth and Rab have qualified homebred star King Memphis who joins Mark Wallis’ Whyaye Man and Richard Rees’ Churchfield Syd plus Irish trio Ballymac Gizmo, De Lahdedah and Boylesports Bob in Saturday’s Towcester final.

After his family, Rab explained winning the Derby would be the second-most important achievement of his life.

“Excluding family, winning the Derby would be the best thing to happen to myself and Liz,” said Rab. “We work seven days a week, every week, for moments like this.

“Never in our wildest dreams did we think we’d be competing for the Derby when we started training greyhounds. We have scrapbooks at home and as we get older in life, we still have a few pages to fill. Saturday would be a perfect occasion to create some lasting memories.

“It’s a slightly nervous buzz, but one we’re going to enjoy and all our family will be down from Scotland on the night to support us.”

King Memphis has been drawn in trap three, a box he is yet to run from during the competition - but one he has won from four times in five runs.

“We couldn’t be happier with the draw,” said McNair. “All finalists deserve to be there, and it’s an exceptional race.

“There’s some strong early pace on our outside, but you have to recognise all five of our rivals have been outstanding in recent weeks. May the best greyhound win.”