Last Friday night’s meeting featured three trial stakes races for this year’s Ladbroke Golden Jacket which is the top annual race staged at the stadium.

The purpose of these particular races is to evaluate whether the participants have the necessary high quality to gain entry into the main event which starts with the six heats here on Saturday, February 4.

As usual, the Racing Office will be looking to give entry to the top 36 greyhounds from around the country to fill the heat places. The competition is run over 714 metres with the winner receiving £15,000.

The semi-finals will be on Saturday, February 11, followed by the final a week later on Saturday, February 18, also on the morning card.

If you are looking for a time guide, last year’s winner Bush Paddy romped home in a time of 45.79 seconds. The event was won in 2010 by Group Skater in 45.19.

So with this fact in mind Crayford trainer Julie Luckhurst will have been delighted with the time of 45.75 registered by her dog U Make Me Smile in his trial race last weekend.

The dog ran in last year’s competition when he performed at a similar level when finishing second in the heats round to top class stayer Lottes Girl. On that occasion he finished in a time of 45.98. He was subsequently eliminated in the semis when finishing sixth behind ultimate winner Group Skater.

The other two trail races went to Honeypound Joe (46.42) and Bold Misty (46.30). There are further trials this Saturday evening so I will update you on there outcome next week.

The Racing Office have advised me that many of the top stayers have already been entered for a run on our weekly trials day over the distance and these include Lottes Girl, Farley Zach, Portavoe Lass, Bush Whitney and Bubbly Blues.

There is usually plenty of gossip around at this time of year which is all part of the build up and I can advise you that many of the top trainers are expected to have entries for the Jacket these will include Mark Wallis and Paul Young among others.

The picture will be come much clearer once the 36 starters are announced so watch this column which will be first for all the latest news. Catch this weekend’s trial races on Saturday evening on Sky Channel 231 or Freesat 402.