OXFORD have been upgraded on the BAGS (Bookmakers Afternoon Greyhound Service).

As from February 6, they will stage the main BAGS programme in the country which goes out live to bookmakers worldwide on Wednesday instead of the usual Tuesday slot.

While it will ease the pressure on a Tuesday for racing office staff, it means greyhounds will operate on five days a week at Sandy Lane.

The new format will see a 14-race card with racing from 2.18pm-6.18pm.

  • LEADING Oxford owner Paul Clay hopes to strike gold with his two-year-old bitch Shelbourne Holly who has reached the final of the 10,000 Euro Ted Hegarty Stakes in Ireland.

The remarkable thing about the white-and-fawn bitch, who turns two next month, is that she is running over 945 metres.

She has also won nine races on the trot and is a hot favourite to land the booty.

Her trainer at the Shelbourne Stud is former Oxford greyhound agent Brian King, who moved to Ireland a few years ago to run the stud.

  • OWNERS of runners at the last three meetings December 21, 22, 23 will receive an extra £10, doubling their BGRF prize money.
  • THE Ian Wills-trained Jonssens Express, who completed a three-timer at the track on Tuesday, has been voted their 450 metres grader of the year.
  • GILLY Hepden struck on the open race scene when Gotabetem duly obliged in a puppy open at Reading, while Dean Childs's Ridgedale Rover finished fourth in the Hunt Cup final.

Better news for Childs are the prospects of newcomer Droopys Robster who, in only his second look at the track, posted a smart 27.09.

Maurice Massey can also be happy with his ex-Swindon racer Farloe Rose, who clocked 27.47.

  • CHARLIE Lister is the Sky TV champion trainer after his Geordie Parker won the All England Cup at Brough Park. He pipped the now retired Carly Philpott.

Meanwhile, Tommy Foster, who has won plenty of opens at Cowley this year, has decided to retire after 45 years in the sport. Son Jason, formerly at Oxford, will take over his range.

  • HARESMOOR Pine and Santoi Claws, previously with Nick Colton, have been retired.
  • DON'T forget - the Boxing Day meeting starts at 10.47 and not 11.00am as usual.