Racing supremo Tom Kelly has told officials at Oxford Stadium that their Sunday BAGS racing is safe.

After last week’s announcement that the track’s Friday afternoon meeting will stop on January 1, there were fears more cuts could follow.

But I understand that Kelly, the BAGS chairman, has confirmed that a five-year deal between the Greyhound Racing Association (GRA) and BAGS means that Oxford’s Sunday card is safe.

Kelly is set to make his annual visit to Sandy Lane next Friday when I am sure he will face plenty of questions.

A further boost came this week when champion trainer Angie Kibble turned down the offer to join a rival track.

Kibble is optimistic that the future of Oxford is not as bleak as some are predicting, and joins the likes of Gilly Hepden, Maurice Massey and Ron Bicknell in committing their future to the track.

Steve Rayner, meanwhile, is reported to have gone dual-attached to Hall Green.

JOHN Haynes, the track supremo at the Greyhound Board of Great Britain, has released funds to renew the drainage system at Oxford.

Work will be carried out at the first two bends, with Haynes sanctioning the move as he believes that racing will be secured for at least two more years at Sandy Lane.