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The Oaks aftermath: Romford Car Two can help Mullins top a great year

Blonde Jeannie trainer may still collar Lister in the Trainers Championship hunt...

Greyhound racing never ceases to amaze. Almost every high-profile meeting leaving us with a decent talking point, and Tuesday's Oaks final card at Wimbledon was no exception.

Just as we expected to be heralding Spiridon Louis' amazing year and patting connections on the back, he was beaten by (a very good) Droopys Nelson. It might have served as an anticlimax to some, but certainly not his terrific young trainer Dean Childs and his partner Mim. Well done.

But fear not, Blonde Jeannie provided enough ammunition to fill conversations in the bars afterwards. The brilliant bitch, whose career might have been over but for great patience shown by John Mullins and his team after a serious tendon injury last year, blasted to Oaks glory and put the Mullins name, arguably the most famous in greyhound racing, on the bitches' Classic roll of honour.

And it means that maybe, just maybe, that Mullins can overtake Charlie Lister at the top of the Trainer of the Year standings. Competitions at Nottingham (National Sprint) and Coventry (Tom Fruit St Leger) would determine the outcome, with Mullins strongly represented in both with Blonde Chico and Romford Car Two. But be sure that Lister will be sending out an army of dogs out to battle in the days leading up to December 31st.

If Mullins does win, great credit must go to Blonde Jeannie. She has had a wonderful year, winning three Oaks titles (Midland and Yorkshire versions, too), the Global Windows Invitation and running-up in the Masters. Definitely bitch of the year.

In terms of the future, the bitch who impressed in defeat was the youngster Lethal Frankie. Definitely one to keep on the right side as she was noted staying on very well. Ronnies Hustle continues to give the impression he is a serious Derby dog for next year after his puppy win. His trapping remains a touch inconsistent, indeed he trapped behind most on Tuesday, but you cannot but be impressed by his gears to the bend and all-round zip.

A messy 460m saw Milldean Buster take a tumble, but Blonde Buster was also in the wars but showed aeroplane place behind, although the effort was understandably short-lived. He is sure to win before the year's out.

The winner, Eye Onthe Force, remains a nice type, as does Ballymac Under, who took the step up in class in his stride in the top division of the puppy stakes. Things were made easier when Horseshoe Moth middled, and tougher tasks await him, but he looks a likely type for the Classics in 2008.

From bitch of the year earlier, to hurdler of the year, Kildare Lark. He was faultless, but runner-up Snazzy Time was hardly disgraced behind, while Droopys Nelson should continue to make hay over six bends with his terrific speed to halfway. But 688m remains as far as he wants, and Spiridon Louis also lost nothing in defeat. What a year he's had!

Sadly, first-bend carnage also put paid to most chances in the 480m event, although thanks heavens Pea Ball finished the course after an horrific tumble. He remains one to follow next year. And it was good to see Baran Pedro frank the form of the Racing Post Festival.

Merry Christmas all.