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A keen student of racing, as well as a successful handler, Scottish Derby winning trainer Pat Rosney has agreed to cast an eye over the first round of the 2018 Star Sports English Greyound Derby.

Here are his views on the first nine heats.

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I can see trouble near the inside here with Image Coches in particular  trying to make his way to the rail. King Eden is drawn to perfection on the outside with a slow breaker on his immediate inside and he should get a peach of a run,

On all known form this should be dominated by Droopys Expert. I think he will will in, but it certainly wouldn’t be a race where I would be punting. Everything really needs to go right for the favourite. He would need one of his better breaks, and to avoid the two on his outside moving inwards and the red moving to the middle.

I looked at Lenson Blinder who is clearly an impressive young dog though this is a big step up in class from A3 in Ireland. Given the make up of the race and the draw I would edge it to Roxholme Ray in trap six.

Straightforward enough one for me. Although he only just gets the trip, it has to be King Elvis. The dog is a natural born winner.

There are a couple of very strong finishers here in Slippy Cian and Calico Ranger. But I reckon Forest West could take a soft lead from the inside and they just might not catch him.

In my view Whoops Jack is one of the better Irish dogs in the Derby. He did a brilliant trial (sub track record with going allowance) and he gets 550. I expect him to lead up and not be caught.

This has to be one of the most competitive heats in the Derby. Look at the times in and around 29.14-29.15. I would settle for our lad getting through. If I had to oppose him, I would be looking at Power Local. I’ve heard that the kennel think they have a good one and have supported him in the betting.

The best heat of the Derby in my opinion, though heat 23 on Saturday would run it close. There are class runners and Cat One winners throughout. I really rate Matt Dartnall’s pup, and he should get a clear run on the rails with a very slow breaker on his inside, though I think he would prefer a slightly wider draw. Dropzone was superb in Scotland and a genius trains the six. But I do really like Dorotas Wildcat. He is a tremendous greyhound on a track that he loves and he is my selection.

This is a softer heat without a lot of early pace. I saw Crossfield Will trial and liked what I saw – he is a monster of a dog at nearly 38kg. But bearing in mind most of the field lack a bit of early, Black Zack certainly doesn’t and if he gets on the bunny, I don’t think they will pick him up.