salty

True, but last year the pick was to ensure one Brit in the series. No way will a 2nd Brit get picked this year. Will Tomasz's sponsorship from Monster help him get a pick if he requires/wants one?

If, for example, Andersen and Bjerre qualify from Poole, then you can't see MJJ getting a pick to have 4 Danes. Sweden will get at least one.

Surely the 3 picks (one will go to Holder) will depend a lot on who gets through at Poole. I would imagine the authorities would be hoping for a Swede or two to get through otherwise that may well affect the make up of the wild cards. Personally, I would like to see another Russian in the series.

In that case why have a run off? Just reward consistency by giving the slot to the Brit with the top average.

Middlo talked about 4 riders - 3 races to decide the winner. As I said before - was never going to happen.

I can't imagine an FIM event would have ever agreed to Middlo's run off idea. Might have helped the attendance, but very unlikely to have been given the go ahead. As reagrds the OP's question, haven't a clue I'm afraid.

Interesting post as ever Arthur. I agree - it's Plough Lane or nothing for Mr Taggart. I'm fairly sure he has declared an interest in Oxford as well.

As far as I recall, the qualifiers from the UK are decided by finishing positions at the British Final. In 2012, Danny crashed out and therefore didn't get to do the qualifiers in 2013. The only three Brits who took part were Kennett, Nicholls and Harris, but you could argue that anyone who entered the 2012 British championships did "take part" in the 2013 GP qualifiers. I agree with Phil Rising, there should be no wild card through to the final. Totally unfair for someone to be parachuted in 5 rides from qualification and it's not as if Danny's presence in the meeting is going to add much to the attendance.

As far as I recall Phil's Grandad used to have a pitch in the main ring at Wimbledon. I also kept him gainfully employed whilst he was doing his degree. The lease thing at Wimbledon (I posted the RP link above) suggests to me that RCP are playing the long game and going to keep the Stadia ticking over (with negligible investment) until conditions are more suitable for development. Feltham talks about spending to upgrade the facilities (much needed) but the place is a disgrace at the moment and if I was Hills and lobbing 200k of prize money at the Derby I'd want a better stadium to hold the event.

I know you will rush to defend the SLP, but that is a wee bit behind the times. http://www.racingpost.com/news/greyhounds/new-lease-deal-will-keep-the-gra-tracks-racing/1319343/top/ Maybe there has been such a glut of sports stories this summer they had to wait the best part of three weeks to fit the GRA story in. Arthur Cross - Interesting stuff regarding the history of Wimbledon, I didn't know of the hstorical reason for the distrust between the footballing Dons fans and the Council. One thing though, Kingstonian's traditional colours are red and white hoops.

Great crowd, super stadium. The racing let the occasion down somewhat. Strange to see Emil win, his bikes looked down on power all night.

Did I say that? Just pointing out that one party declining to comment hardly constitutes a "war of words". Has the W&SLP made any comments regarding what they would prefer to be the chosen plan for Plough Lane? I repeat, there is nothing there that wasn't in the public domain 2 or 3 weeks ago.

Hardly a "war of words" though. Just reporting what was in the public domain a couple of weeks ago.

Hope all goes well at Berwick tonight and there is a bumper crowd. I'd love to see Bellego go well.

I loved Emil's interview with Steve Brandon last night, showing his skill at using the words in the question to frame the answer. "so is it pick up the points and make the semi final?" "Yes, pick up points and make the semi final" Reckon Latvia will suit Emil more than Italy, but it is refreshing to see two new combatants for the title who apparently get on well and show it.

Great effort by Emil to get to the final, but e looks seriously underpowered compared to the other three. Hope he wins just so Pearson and Tatum will button it with the Wuffy, wuffy, wuffy garbage.

Fingers crossed. Hope he's Ok.

Just to clarify, the Bord na gCon (Irish Greyhound Board) is a semi-State company and Paschal Taggart presided as chairman for about 10 years up until 2006. Taggart certainly has the werewithal to do the necessary at Plough Lane (as long as RCP are receptive to a reasonable offer) and I do believe he has the interests of Greyhound Racing at heart. If he feels that the Speedway community can help swing things with Merton Council then I'm sure he'll welcome any support.

Good to see the Kings break their duck.

Evolved into a good meeting after a slow start. Looked like a good crowd which enjoyed some good, hard racing. Thought Vaculik was a bt unlucky in Heat 20, but was going to be tough on whoever was excluded.

Had forgotten this meeting was on, until I spotted it in the TV mag this morning. Thought I must have missed the preview in the Star, but no, there is not a mention of it. In their defence that is just the same amount of coverage the European Championships has always attracted, reflecting the GB's lack of interest, but one would have thought given the much higher profile of the event, some space could have been found. Still at least I now know whats been happening in Canada since mid May and the random thoughts of some correspondents, who with all due respect, are largely stating the bleeding obvious.

Certain politicians in specific constituencies have been supportive of the sport. Andrew Davies, I think, is the local MP for Oxford and he has been very supportive and active in the ongoing fight to save the stadium. I tend to be cynical about all things political, but even if it helps a little bit it can't be a bad thing can it?

Can't be a bad thing for the sport to have some sort of collective representation in parliament. Only time will tell whether it will have any worthwhile effect.

Must be one of the things on the local police's "to do" list. Every so often raid and search Mike Lee's house and get an easy bust. Pointless.

You mention Danny King as one of the three top riders to be picked. You have told us repeatedly that nobody could have done any better than your Neil, but don't seem to make the connection that Middlo picked 4 other riders before King. Sure you also posted more than once on the WTC team selection thread that you didn't think Kennet was the right choice, but have then spent over a week defending Middlo. Doesn't really make sense does it?