Grand National return is on hold due to insufficient entries

STAR PELAW has been thwarted in its bid to revive greyhound racing’s hurdles Classic, the Grand National, for this year at least.

Having announced earlier this year that the competition, last staged in 2024 at now closed Crayford, was to be reintroduced, the north-east track has been staging regular one-off hurdles racing albeit from a limited pool of greyhounds.

And that led to insufficient entries being received for the planned £10,000 competition over the 435m hurdles course leaving no option but to postpone it until next year at the earliest.

Kim Sanzone, Head of Greyhound Racing Operations for Star Sports, said: “It’s very disappointing that the Grand National hasn’t filled but we are still looking to continue with hurdling and are hoping to run a maiden event in the New Year to encourage some new greyhounds to the jumping scene.

“We’re also hoping that some other tracks bring back hurdles racing which would obviously increase the hurdling pool as well.

“We plan to re-advertise the Grand National next year when we hope to be in a far better position numbers-wise.

“In the meantime, our weekly Saturday night meeting continues with one-off hurdles opens regularly advertised.”

The north-east track, aided greatly by trainer Rick Holloway, reintroduced jumps racing in March after a 14-months gap following the closure of Crayford in January 2025 with Holloway's Mickys Tribute the undoubted star performer having won his first 15 at the track including setting the initial track record than breaking it on three occasions.

Star Pelaw was set to become the sixth Grand National host track following White City [1927-1984), Hall Green [1985-1998], Wimbledon [1999-2011], Central Park [2012-2022] and Crayford [2022-2024].