By 8.30pm this evening, we will know the six dogs who will contest the first Category One final at Oxford Stadium in over a decade – the £10,000 Cowley Puppy Collar.

In the past fortnight, our 48-strong field has been reduced to 12 with the top three greyhounds in each of tonight’s semi-finals advancing to an unmissable final next Friday.

Semi-final 1, 8.05pm: Marinas Cognac, Lively Lauren, Two Marks, Havana AllABlaze, MakeIt Swallow, Romeo Mission.

This is a wide-open contest with four of the six greyhounds winning either their Round One or Round Two heats.

Lively Lauren from trap two clocked the fastest time of the six last week when winning Heat Four in 27.12 from Marinas Cognac and MakeIt Swallow. She was blessed with her favourite inside draw on that occasion and moves to trap two this evening which will make it harder for her get such a clear run.

MakeIt Swallow was denied clearance in the same race and will be a big threat from the outside. She started poorly last week and was bumped in-running, but ran on to qualify with great determination.

Frank Gray’s bitch stands every chance of returning to winning ways.

Selection – MakeIt Swallow

Semi-final 2, 8.25pm: Singalong Java, Moanteen Lennox, FromPostToPillar, Nancy Spain, Jasmine Lily, Jondel.

One dog has stolen the Cowley Puppy Collar show thus far – FromPostToPillar.

Elizabeth McNair’s dog broke the track record (26.82) last week and is stadium sponsor StarSports’ 8/11 favourite to win the competition outright ahead of the semi-finals.

His nine-length and 11-length victories in the past fortnight make him a leading contender to enter the final unbeaten. It would be a huge upset if either of FromPostToPillar’s rivals could deny him a hat-trick of wins tonight.

Selection – FromPostToPillar

Doors open at 5.30pm tonight with the first of 11 races due off at 6.38pm. Tickets are on sale online for £9 or can be purchased on the door for £12.

Our special guest for the evening is retired greyhound Miss The Kiss. Missy ran her final race at Henlow on Sunday an is now in search of a forever home. Anyone interested in homing Missy is welcome to meet her this evening, she’ll be on parade throughout the night.