Simon Deakin will be full of emotion if star puppy Glenvale Covey can qualify for this month’s Arena Racing Company Puppy Classic final at Nottingham on Bank Holiday Monday.
The Alvechurch-based professional greyhound trainer revealed he almost lost his star pup to illness before he took to the track for the first time in June at Dunstall Park in Wolverhampton.
But the son of 2022 Irish Laurels champion Good Cody has made a remarkable recovery and earned an entry in this month’s £12,500 to the winner competition after making a winning debut at Towcester on Sunday.
He is one of five greyhounds attached to Nottingham to contest this year’s Puppy Classic, the others being Peter Holland’s Bandit Outlaw, Barry Denby’s Bellmore Whiskey, Jason Gray’s Jackierua and Esther Driver’s Stellas Incharge.
Monday marks the start of the competition, which will climax on August Bank Holiday where admission to all racegoers is free as part of Nottingham’s National Greyhound Week celebrations.
Simon said: “We almost lost him he was that poorly.
“But we’ve taken our time with him and given all the love and attention possible to get him back to full health.
“The fact he has excited us from his initial trials is a bonus.
“Although he was a big price at Towcester for his debut, it didn’t really surprise me that he won.
“We had hoped to get a pre-competition trial into him before Monday’s heats, but it has been too hot so we’ve kept him at home.
“Draw wise I have absolutely no concerns. Any box between one and four will suit him and the step up to 500m will suit him no problem too. The hope is that we can keep qualifying and come August Bank Holiday Monday we can cheer him on in the final.
“It’s been a steady year so far. We have some exciting pups being schooled in Ireland right now, so towards the end of the year we should have a few newcomers taking to the track officially for the first time which is always an exciting moment.”
Other entries of note for this year’s Puppy Classic include Juvenile Classic champion Arthur Bitter and Irish challenger Magical Marty for Tipperary handler Patrick Guilfoyle.
Tickets and trackside packages for all rounds of the ARC Puppy Classic can be purchased online via www.nottingham-greyhounds.co.uk.
Racegoers can claim a maximum of six free tickets each for semifinals (August 24) and finals (August 31) nights, with the free admission offer on Bank Holiday Monday including a complimentary welcome drink.
Doors open on each night at 5.30pm, with the first race off at 6.37pm.
2026 Arena Racing Company Puppy Classic
Heat One: Annadown Warrior, Annadown Shadow, Underground Matt, Hazza Summers, True Trend, Droopys Fearless.
Heat Two: Bandit Outlaw, Newinn Jolly, Gav Nificent, Bellmore Whiskey, Cockneys Crafty, Keplar Venom.
Heat Three: Vahbelle, Poppy Queen, Jackierua, Arthur Bitter, Daleroad Magic, Darcys Dude.
Heat Four: Scooby Mustang, Glenvale Covey, Churchfield King, Magical Marty, Farneys Tilly, Lincoln Impact.
Heat Five: Nicky Swithin, Magical Hawk, Good Hormuz, Kerrs Rancher, Beatties Bliss, Drive On Flint.
Heat Six: Lady Gambet, Puntos Opinion, Zenith Boom, Magical Faye, Stellas Incharge, Kilbride Office.
