JOE’s night at the Harold’s Cross Greyhounds

And just like that a brilliant night at the dogs is over. Time goes faster at a greyhound track than anywhere else we can think of. As always the staff at Harold’s Cross were top class. From the restaurant to the Tote and all spots in between they were great.

As for the racing well I won some and I lost some, like everybody here.  The main thing is a great time was had by all and we’re already plotting our return. The party goes on here for a while yet but it is time for me, in the best phrase for these situations, to make my excuses and leave.

Thanks for staying with us. Talk to you again soon.

And a win for Rafa Rebound! There are Chelsea fans rejoicing in the stands here, and a few Liverpool fans too. What a run by the reserve, one of I think three to win tonight. Second was No 3 Ardilaun Lady and third was Cryptic Jester.

Lots of money for Rafa Rebound by the way... Lots of Chelsea fans about...

This is another highly competitive race and we're putting our remaining JOE fund on No 6 Cryptic Jester. At 2/1 the fast starter appeals to us, even from the outside draw. And two dogs from  Trap 6 have won tonight so why not another.

And even though Have A Gawk in the first won the best name of the night competition, the reserve dropped into Trap 5 tonight runs it close. Rafa Rebound is not owned by a Mr R Abramovich though, instead it is John O'Reilly's and he's from Dublin. Anyway, that dog is a must back for Chelsea fans surely? 5/2 if any Blues out there fancy it.

Only a few minutes now until the final race of the night, called the 'We Look Forward To Our 1ooth Birthday 550' That's 15 years away, at which time I'll be... well, I',m not telling but I hope I'm still around to be here for it.

By the way, second was No 2, Head Rock. Another great race and another win for the dog from Trap 1. That's the fourth tonight from 12 races, fact fans.

Keano beaten into third but a massive cheer from one section. Either big Alf Inge Haland fans or they backed the winner, No 1 Kinloch George.

The favourite at the mo is Head Rock, in Trap 2. A regular around this track, we can see why as the local experts pile in to back this one.

If you don't hate the famous Cork man, the dog is actually pretty good, if it likes the difficult draw on the outside. Insert your own 'pitches as hard as car parks, cones and bibs' joke here...

Just had a quick look at the next race and in Trap 6 is a dog called Sportsman Keano. We fully expect half the crowd to lump on and half the crowd to boo the dog all the way round. That Saipan stuff runs deep let me tell you...

Another super race. Kilduff Scarlet, who got a lot of late support, held off Peggy's Ali while Tyrur Sallyann was third. Our fancy Freestyle Mac never featured while the JOE-inspired punt on No 6 Courtneyendajoe was not a good idea, as he was last all the way. Fingers crossed the boss takes Tote slips as expenses...

Our dog goes in Trap 6. The top dogs are Trap 1 Peggy's Ali (9/4) and Trap 3 Freestyle Mac (2/1). We like the latter a lot so we hope it doesn't see off our JOE-based bet.

The rank outsider in this one, at 15/2, is a dog called Courtneyendajoe. I wouldn't be doing my duty if a I didn't put a few quid on him with that name. I'm sure I can pass on a receipt to the boss if he loses. It must be a legitimate expense...

The next race celebrates the opening of the refurbished Harold's Cross on July 14, 2000. As a frequent visitor since I can say it is a great facility for any occassion. 13 years on it still looks great.

And, as we get into the summer and the longer, hopefully warmer, evenings, a night at the dogs, especially outside in the stands, is great if you don't fancy the cosy confines of the dining area I am cosily tucked up in tonight.

Massive roar from the stands as Peppered Sauce, No 6 and a reserve runner, takes the line first. Caulry Hero, No 1, was first and the Kerry Raider, So Much More was fifth. The Trio selected by the programme strikes again. If you followed that for the night with 'trio always' each time you would be in very healthy profit tonight. Very healthy...

Okay we're up to race 10 already! Unbelievable how time flies at the dogs. Two replacements in this race, 2 and 6, but they haven''t weakened the race at all. Favourite, just, is No 5 So Much More. A Kerry owner, running in Dublin, and the Kingdom not even playing at Croker this weekend... we think that is a enough of a sign for us...

Time for a bit more Harold’s Cross trivia. The first ever Tote office opened here in May 1960, a month before Shelbourne Park got one. As a Tote account holder I have to say they provide a great service at all their outlets, horse racing included, but especially at the greyhounds with the rapid turnover in races. Staff are always stars as well.

Second was No 3, third was No 5. By the distinct lack of cheers in the entire grandstand area, the bookies won that one. At least the folks collecting the bets for you are so nice you feel a bit better about losing your stake. A bit...

Well we were half right. Pay the Lolly, No 6, cruised home in fine style. Sadly our other pick, Nicken Builder, trailed home last. Ah well...

The doggies are on parade there so just time to inform you that your humble live blogger has gone for 1-6 in a reverse forecast. May be an indication to avoid those two. If the blog goes dead in a few minutes you will know I've won.

Right, next up is a race named after the Puppy Derby, a race run here every year, bar one, since 1943. That missing year was 1999 as the track was closed for refurbishment.

Held in the autumn, the race is one of the best in country at any track so make sure you keep an eye on the IGB website or the Harold’s Cross Facebook page for details of this year’s race.

Winner was No 6. Huge cheers around me so lots of people backed Plutos Rena it seems. Favourite No 1 was right out the back for large parts of the race. A late surge got Usual Story into third. Ballycaum Lass was second. A very popular winner that one...

Lots of money for Usual Story, the dog in Trap 1. Winner has come from that slot in the last two so not bad logic. Price on the Tote is now 7/4

Have to say, there is a great buzz at the Stadium tonight. Huge crowd, a fair few winners going in and everyone seems in top Friday form.

As for the next race, there are two clear favourites in this, 1 and 6 but the danger could be 3/1 shot Townsend Star, a dog that usually runs at Longford and one that has had a few lay offs of late. Are the owners down to raid the tasty €1000 prize pot?

Next up the race named after one of the best races of the year, the Corn Cuchulainn, a stayers race held every summer at this track.

And No 1 wins. I'm two for two... the night just got even better. In fairness, number 2 was really ining on the leader before stumbling around the third bend. Four was second, five was third.

Considering who the race is named after it is a nice touch that this is race 7. Continuing the theme surely the first two will add up to his famous number. In that spirit, we'll go for 6 to come second. If not it will be 3 from 4 or 2 beating 5, right?

There is little to choose between the six dogs here. We're going to go with No 1 again, Abbey Clara but I have never seen a betting market so even. All the dogs are priced between 11/4 and 6/1. Should be some contest.

The next race commemorates one of the biggest nights in the Stadium’s history, and there wasn’t a dog to be seen. In January 1976 the legendary George Best played for Cork Celtic against Shelbourne here. 5,500 turned up that day to watch the Belfast Boy. According to reports of the day, he didn’t do much but to say you saw the great George Best play was enough for most. Cork Celtic won 1-0 and Best was involved in the goal. There was obviously still a bit of that old magic left.

And No 1 Incitatus wins. Led all the way, No 6 Greenisle Molly second, Nans Pet was third.

This 1010 yard race is not run that often and only one dog in the field, Greenisle Molly (No 6), has won over this distance. Only five go too as No 2 is a non-runner. A very tricky one to call but we like No 1, Incitatus, who has had success in races of 7590 and above. Thi sis a long trip but it's even money to do it.

Presentation on the track to the winner of the last Ballymac Best. Trained by Pat Buckley, that was a hell of a run in the 325.

Before the next race gets going, a marathon 1010yd effort, here's a little explainer on the bets, should you decide to head to any of the fine Stadiums around the country.

There are three easy ways to bet at the greyhounds. The simplest is the straight win, just like at the horses. The second is the forecast, where you pick first and second. You can double your chances by doing a reverse forecast but that will cost you double.

Then there is the trio, where you pick the top three. This is very tricky but if you do it ‘all ways’ covering all six possible combos, you have a great chance, and you could win big too, as we have already seen twice tonight with two trio returning very tasty odds.

Second for Bulmers Baby, winner was 5. A fair few cheers near me so lots happy they had the reverse I'd say. By the way, what a run by the winner Ballymac Best. Leaped out of the traps and flew home, lead all the way.

Yet another race where the trio paid out over 40/1. Big money being made here, but sadly not by me...

Asking around Bulmers Baby is in every forecast and trio here. If it wins it could be very noisy here...

By the way, a dog called Bulmers Baby is in Trap 6 in this one. It is odds on and while it is a good dog, I suspect the weight of money on it is related to the name too...

Just before the next race goes off, big shout out to Phillip and all the folks at Harold's Cross Stadium. I've been here as a punter a few times but this was the first timeI had a chance to try the grub. It's top stuff and it's no wonder the place is heaving tonight.

Next up is a sprint, a 325 race. Of all races this is the best one to have a trio always on as a bad start can scupper your dogs hopes in a race that can take less than 18 seconds.

The correct trio there paid out at over 40/1. Trio Always winners in the vicinity are very, very happy...

1, 3, 4. No luck for the favourite there, who was bumped on the first bend and while she ran on well she just had too much to do.

Number 6 Chloe Gold the favourite here. Let's see

They have just shown the photo finish of the last race on the screens here. Not even a nose in it...

This race, the Spanish Battleship 3 time Derby winner, is, obviously, in honour of the great dog that won two of those Classics when it was run at this track. He took the title from 1953-5. This race is a tricky looking one, with all having chances.

Surely a dog called Fear Na Gcon has a shot tonight though...

Cleveland Tebow was fifth. As many American sports fans think, God hates Cleveland...

And 3 gets it, Miss Gold Bars, the favourite. Rough on Castlehill Aris backers (No 6) who led early, lost it and almost got it back in that epic 750 yard race. Great entertainment.

Another great race, gone to a photo... between 3 and 6

I have decided to follow the advice of the programme and have backed 3 and 4 in a reverse forecast. Ignoring Tebow.... brave

One for NFL fans in Race 3 as a dog called Cleveland Tebow is in Trap 1. Funnily enough, he a reserve dog who has stepped in for a non-runner. Too many jokes there but as Tim Tebow has God on his side, we might not mess with his four-legged friend here

Okay, while we wait for the next race, here's a nugget of history from the programme. In 1985 the track held a match race between two superstars of the game, Ballintubber One and Moneypoint Coal. The owners of the former felt slighted by their exclusion from an Irish team for an English international and challenged the winner of the International at Shelbourne, Moneypoint Coal, over the famous 525.

A huge crowd turned up and saw Ballintubber One win, vindication for owners Danny and Jimmy Driscoll, who also pocketed £10,000 from the race. Nice work lads.

What a race that was! No luck for me but 5, Loughisle Lady, just held off a super fast finish from 4, with 1 second. Once again, the forecast in the programme won the trio. Serious money to be made if you read the tips at the top of the page it seems...

Right, as the second race is about to get going the plac is absolutely jammed now. Birthday parties, groups of lads, couples, a few kids, it really is a great crowd. By the way, your humble correspondent has gone for 1 and 4 in a reverse forecast, meaning if they come first and second, in any order, I win. You wouldn't begrudge me a few extra euro would you?

Right, as we said, the Stadium is 85 years and two days old today. To put that in perspective, the first appearance of Mickey and Minnie Mouse in a Disney movie happened a month later and work began on the Hoover Dam later that year too. Yep, this placehas been around a while, and looks great for it too.

Right, while we gather our breath it is worth mentioning that the top class programme they have put together for tonight recommended that trio.

And as often happens the dog with the best name wins, Have A Gawk romped home from the traps to the line. A very popular winner in here too. Loads of whoops of joy already. Second was Highview Option, third was Jake Side. Lots of happy punters already! Always a good sight.

The dogs are in the traps now, we'll have a result for you real quick and then we'll tell you about more about the history of the place and what the vibe is like here. A Little hint; it's buzzing.

The dogs are on parade now and all the money, so far, is for 3/1 shot Buchail Rosie, from Trap 6. In Trap 3 we have another strong fancy, called Have A Gawk. If we get a better name for a dog all night we'll be impressed!

Not long now until the first race of the night, The Welcome to the 85^th Birthday Party of Harold’s Cross Greyhound Stadium 525. There’s already a massive crowd in on a lovely night in Dublin. All we need now is a winner.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of a very special night for a very special place. Harold’s Cross Greyhound Stadium, one of the most storied sports arenas in the country, is celebrating its 85^th birthday tonight. The first race was actually held on April 10 1928, but what’s two days between friends.

We’ll be here for the full race card to bring you all the news from the track, a bit of history of the Stadium and maybe a good tip or two. We hope...