[4] A record 140 entries were received at the initial stage of the 1951 English Greyhound Derby, which left the White City Racing Manager Major Percy Brown with the difficult task of selecting 48.
Three other pre-competition 100-1 shots also sealed heat wins, they were Guineas champion Derryboy Blackbird, Junes Idol and Moon Again.
[1] In the first semi-final Atomic Line held off the challenge of the Ballylanigan Tanist, with Rushton Smutty (1950 Trafalgar Cup and Puppy Derby champion)[5] taking the third qualifying place.
[1] On the final night a crowd of 62,000 witnessed Atomic Line breaking from the starting traps first but Rushton Smutty forced his way inside going to the first bend.
By the third bend only Black Mire looked a danger to Ballylanigan Tanist after he overtook Rushton Smutty on the back straight to move into second place.