Brinkleys Louis left builder turned greyhound trainer Neil Chapman shaking after qualifying for Monday’s £12,500 Arena Racing Company Birmingham Cup final at Nottingham Stadium.
The Markfield handler qualified for his first Category One final following a lifetime of involvement in the sport which is now a seven-day-a-week responsibility for Neil after he retired from the building site.
Despite missing the break slightly, the two-year-old black dog paced up well to the first bend and ran his customary wide course to earn the final qualifying spot and join Kilmore Dancer, Cunnigar Yousir, Chelms Bear, Droopys Artilery and Toddys Tank in the final.
The achievement is made even more remarkable given Brinkleys Louis only arrived in Neil’s care last month after making the switch from established trainer Tom Heilbron’s kennel in Trimdon.
Although Neil accepts his star hound will be the underdog when traps rise, he hopes support on the terraces from partner Jane, plus son James, his partner and a group of friends can be enough to help him achieve the unthinkable.
“I’m still shaking,” said Neil. “Reaching the final is what we dreamed of, and now we’ve done it – anything else is a bonus.
“I placed him in the traps, shut my eyes, and hoped for the best. He didn’t break as well as we know he can do, but he ran a wide course and just kept going.
“He’s raced out of his skin to reach this point and in the final he will be up against greyhounds that are faster than him, without doubt.
“We’ll need some luck, but we’ll give it a good go. Every time he’s raced for us, he’s surprised us so who knows. He’s got his draw in trap six again and I think where the rest of the finalists have been placed works in our favour.
“He’ll be the only one running wide at the first bend, so he could get that clear run we’re looking for – fingers crossed!”
Also scheduled on Monday night is the 93rd running of the Arena Racing Company St Leger.
Originally held at Wembley Stadium before its move to Wimbledon in 1999 and later Perry Barr in 2017, the competition is being held as a one off in Nottingham this year before moving to its new home at the recently opened Dunstall Park in Wolverhampton.
This year’s final features multiple Category One champions Garfiney Blaze and Mongys Wild, plus Summer Stayers Classic champion Vhagar and Droopys Flare, Daring Moaner and Select Stayers champion Fabulous Heka.
Admission for finals night is free with adults who book online in advance also welcome to a complimentary drink on arrival. Doors open at 5.30pm with the first of 12 races on the night off at 6.37pm.
Further information is available via www.nottingham-greyhounds.co.uk.
2025 Arena Racing Company Birmingham Cup final: Kilmore Dancer, Cunnigar Yousir, Chelms Bear, Droopys Artilery, Toddys Tank, Brinkleys Louis.
2025 Arena Racing Company St Leger final: Droopys Flare, Garfiney Blaze, Mongys Wild, Daring Moaner, Fabulous Heka, Vhagar.
