The richest sprint competition in UK greyhound racing returns to Kent on Saturday when round one of the Arena Racing Company Silver Salver begins at Central Park in Sittingbourne.

First held in 1933, the 70th Silver Salver carries a winning prize fund of £12,500 and has attracted a full book of 36 entries this year with the Grand Final scheduled for Saturday, June 15.

Among those hoping to scoop the top prize is Tipperary-based Pat Buckley, who 12 months ago became the first Irish trainer to win the Silver Salver when Flashing Willow crossed the line in front.

Buckley has entered Hopes Hurricane in this year’s renewal, an August ’22 dog owned by husband and wife Amanda and Nic Jeal. He’s been drawn in Heat Six in the company of local hopes Killuran Bella and Fastlane Bex plus Maxine Locke’s Storys Hybrid, Nathan Hunt’s Cairo King and BGBF British Bred Puppy Cup champion, Romeo Cypher.

Finishing in the top three on Saturday will book Hopes Hurricane’s spot in next week’s Semi-Finals and Buckley is hopeful his young star can get the job done.

“The Silver Salver has always been the plan,” he said. “He’s a class dog and has clocked some good times our side of the water in Limerick so we’re hopeful of a good run.

“You’d like to think if he can qualify from the first round the run would bring him on well. Amanda and Nic asked me to take him, and we’ve been impressed since he arrived at the kennel.

“He’ll be based with June Harvey in Southampton through the competition with James (Corden) and my daughter Emma who both do a great job caring for him. It’s good to be involved and we’re looking forward to opening night.”

In 2023 Flashing Willow became the fastest winner of the Salver since the competition relocated to Central Park in 2002.

That success broke new ground for the Buckley kennel, who had never visited the venue prior to last year but now target back-to-back triumphs.

“The plan is to have him back ready for Derby Final night,” said Buckley. “We have English owners, and we’re happy to support English races.

“Winning last year’s Silver Salver was a great achievement so hopefully we can make it two on the spin.”

The first of six qualifiers is due off at 7.27pm. Tickets, trackside packages and restaurant bookings can all be made at centralpark-greyhounds.co.uk/

Heat One: Leathems Buick, Moving Places, Two Slip Jigs, Merrymeeting Lil, Kevinsfort Duke, Time To Talk.
Heat Two: Ballyard Shawny, Broadway Murty, Romeo Crusade, Droopys Rarity, Eire Magic, Teaboy Brownie.
Heat Three: Broadway World, Bombout Bullet, Cappaneale Rocky, Without Justice, Rugged Road, Millbank Dolly.
Heat Four: Dower Pat, Tullymurry Oncue, Droopys Standard, Knockboy Kay, Magical Bluebear, My Lennie.
Heat Five: Emers Sammy, Slick Serenity, Salthill Sniper, Stonepark Champ, Chopchop Rainbow, Guzzler.
Heat Six: Killuran Bella, Romeo Cypher, Cairo King, Storys Hybrid, Fastlane Bex, Hopes Hurricane.