The third and final night of first round Star Sports English Greyhound Derby action at Towcester this evening.  We’ve already been treated to a whole host of performances right out the top drawer and tonight promises to be no different.
HEAT 22
Paul Young’s BUBBLY APACHE is one of the leading UK hopes heading into this year’s competition and he’s fancied to get his campaign off to the perfect start.  He’ll need to be smartly away from traps with Graham Holland’s Irish St Leger Finalist drawn to his inside but he can just about clear that rival before kicking on for victory.
HEAT 23
FAUGHAN REBEL aims to win yet again around Towcester in what has been a superb career.  Not getting any younger by any means but he’s still putting in performances of a very high level and he’s found himself in a first-round heat which he really should be winning.  The now Diane Henry trained Adeles Duke isn’t in the same kind of form as this time last year and the main danger looks set to be the Richard Rees trained Burnchurch Mick who can get off the front but is susceptible to a finisher and in this case it can be Rebel who picks him off late.
HEAT 24
Lynn Cook’s CHURCHILL HOLLY can ping out and lead all the way in a very winnable race for a bitch of her class.  Her recent trial around here of 2936 off the back of a 415 split would see her getting off the front and winning this.  She’s since been back to Nottingham for a trial which understandably may have been needed from a fitness point of view but is of slight concern to the bitches’ chances of trapping in her best style.  I’ll take a chance that she’s alert at lid rise and if getting off the front can hold on from Nathan Hunt’s strong running Storys Peewee.
HEAT 25
Karol Ramsbottom’s DEADLY SHOWTIME is a classy sort who recently reached the semi-final of the Kirby at Limerick.  He does lack a look around and that has to be of concern but he could easily turn this race into a procession with anything like a break.  That being the case Patrick Janssens Romeo On Tilt would automatically drop into a lovely position against the rail to follow the selection home for second.
HEAT 26
If you were looking to land an early round touch then this is exactly the type of heat you’d have wished to be drawn in.  Lisa Stephenson’s JUMEIRAH JIMMY is equally at home over both four and six bends.  He’s ideally housed against the rail here and put that draw to full use.  Alison Kelly-Pilgrim’s Deanridge Skippy can pace up on the outside but a quick look to the inside should see Jimmy far too close , far too soon.
HEAT 27
Seamus Cahill’s POCKET LOLA can find herself exactly where she wants to be from the outset in this heat and that’s dominating at the head of affairs.  She can make every post a winning one here with Graham Holland’s strong running Bockos Viera running on for second.
HEAT 28
Brendan Matthews WIDE OPEN was simply sensational throughout the recent Maiden Derby here over course and distance with only a missed break and trouble on the run up costing her in the final.  Her future looks set to be over further but for now she’s capable of mixing it with some of the best around over four bends.  This is a race where she can be laying handily by halfway and is fancied to come through in plenty of time to land the spoils.  Liz McNair’s Havana Bale Out is one of the fastest UK bitches in training but is inconsistent at the start and this often sees her put out of contention in races by the second turn.  That said this isn’t the hottest of heats and she can find a way to follow the selection home.
HEAT 29
Graham Holland’s ROMEO MAGICO is fancied to get the upper hand on kennel mate Knight Tornado to provide the Irish based Englishman a one two.  Easter Cup Finalist Magico (6th) has a huge engine and should be well suited by the test that Towcester provides.  He just about got the upper hand on Thorn Falcon recently but that refresher of the circuit on what was his first look round since his second-round elimination behind Bockos Belly last year will bring him on.  Kennel mate Knight Tornado who also run in the aforementioned Easter Cup final (5th) can take second place.
HEAT 30
ROMEO ON FIRE gained plenty of experience of Towcester when trained by John Mullins and put that to good use when landing a race here for Graham Holland a few weeks ago.  He should come on again for that and can lead all the way.  Peter Cronin’s All About Ted looks the main danger to the selection but will likely need to lead him by the second bend in order to win and I’m not convinced that will happen if both dogs trap as well as they can.  Rob Hall’s Headford Mike stays well and can run on to claim third.
HEAT 31
Liam Dowling has so far seen 3 of his 4 Derby entries qualify for the next round and his BALLYMAC LEON is fancied to not only qualify but to win this heat and win it well.  He’s a young dog with plenty of ability who maybe hasn’t shown it to the maximum of yet.  He can get off the front here though and win well from Kevin Boon’s Farneys Richie who is drawn a little wider than he’d like but can get across in time to keep the selection up to his work.
HEAT 32
The final heat of the first round looks set to be between the inside trio of runners with Patrick Janssens Laurels semi-finalist ROMEO DE NIRO fancied to come out on top.  He’s capable of winning off the front or from just off the pace and with a trouble free run to the back straight he should then really begin to motor and prove too strong for his rivals.