The final of the Tony Morris Memorial Rose Bowl will be run on Saturday, and after Crayford’s two representatives were eliminated in the semi-finals last weekend the £2,000 prize is set to go to a visiting greyhound.

Crayford had Tinas Junior and Johnny Ninja in the first semi-final and the former, who went to traps as the even money favourite, was expected to qualify for the final.

However, after trapping out in front, he was crowded out of affairs around both the first and third bends and finished fourth with Johnny Ninja in fifth place.

The race was won by Conna Trigger, trained by Jason Foster at Wimbledon, in a time of 23.85sec in what was an incident-packed race. He was followed by Mythical Emily and Karma Peach, who also line-up in the final.

In the second semi-final, A New Venture romped home in 23.49 in a race which saw Bodell Hurricane eliminated so the final is wide open. The two other qualifiers from this race were Castlelyons Sevi and Murlens Crash.

No greyhound enjoyed a clear run as the win times reflected. Tinas Junior had won in a time of 23.28 a week earlier in the heats, but that’s racing and you need a little luck to show your best.

Although Castlelyons Sevi was beaten into second place on Saturday I think he is the greyhound who has what it takes to win this final given any sort of run and his sectional times, trap to line, should see him get to the first bend in front.

The only doubt with him is whether he has the stamina to hold off a late challenge.

He is a dog who has led and won all the way over 460m at Henlow so, in theory, our 380m should cause him no problem. But it is a concern that he has finished twice now in both the heats and semis.

His main challenge may come from A New Venture, whose semi-final win had to be admired for the dog’s pure determination. She improved by 0.30sec on her heat time which equates to three-and-a-half lengths in running and she may well find even more time on Saturday night, which would be good enough for victory.