Graham Holland makes it a double with a £20,000 win at Nottingham

Graham Holland’s journey across the pond was worth the effort as he recorded a double in the opening round of the Premier Greyhound Racing Eclipse at Nottingham.

The 68th running on the event kicked off on Monday with the fastest three greyhounds in six qualifying heats advancing to the following week’s semi-finals before the Grand Final is held on November 27th.

Holland was victorious with Juvenile Derby & Select Stakes champion Clona Duke who won his heat in a time of 29.70 as the 4/9 favourite.

The brilliant Bockos Crystal secured the double for the popular trainer after she scored in 29.59 as the 11/10 favourite with a fast 5.01 sectional.

Duke is 5/2 to win the title while Bockos is the 4/1 second favourite to add Category One success to her CV.

The Mark Wallis trained Newinn Syd went fastest in the opening round as he clocked 29.48 and is rated at 5/1 to be crowned the winner.

A host of star names have qualified for the semi-finals including, Romeo Command (6/1) and Savana Beau (25/1) who have all reached the English Greyhound Derby final in recent campaigns.

Outright prices have been quoted here from BoyleSports bookmakers. Sarah Kinsella, spokesperson for Greyhound Racing Ireland, said:

“The Premier Greyhound Racing Eclipse is one of UK greyhound racing’s most prestigious competitions. It’s great to see a strong Irish team heading into the semi-finals on Monday with Clona Duke the strong outright favourite at 5/2. His kennelmate Bockos Crystal is no stranger to success either with 4/1posing good value.”