Abducted greyhound Clares Rocket recovered ‘safe and well’

Irish police reported on Wednesday morning that Clares Rocket, the star greyhound abducted from the kennels of trainer Graham Holland in Tipperary, has been found and is safe and well.

Irish police had previously stated that an investigation was taking place into the apparent theft of the dog, who is second-favourite for the 2017 English Derby.

Clares Rocket, who is owned by a Limerick syndicate, was the ante-post favourite for the BoyleSports Irish Derby this year, but was withdrawn with an injury after finishing second in the first round.

He has since recovered, but was again beaten on his return when a hot favourite to win one of the valuable races on the showpiece Night of Stars at Shelbourne Park in November.

It in understood Holland, an Englishman who has been hugely successful since switching to train from his base in Golden, Tipperary, was returning from holiday at the time the dog went missing in the early hours of Monday morning.