The first round of the Star Sports & TRC English Greyhound Derby gets underway two weeks this coming Thursday (25th May) and the action really begins to hot up this afternoon with a full 14 race card of trial stakes for the event.  Graham Holland landed the event for the first time when his Romeo Magico (40/1 Star Sports) landed last years £175,000 to the winner final for owner and breeder David Firmager.  It was a night to remember for the pair who have put so much into the sport.  The British Bred August 2019 whelp is fast approaching his fourth birthday but has remained in good form for Graham Holland the team.  He lines up in the third trial stake of the afternoon on what will be his first appearance on a UK track since that memorable night last June when claiming the most famous trophy in the sport of greyhound racing.  Lining up against the likes of the now Nathan Hunt trained Hopes Paddington (22/1 Star Sports) and Dolores Ruth’s Mustang Jet (66/1 Star Sports) he will have to be near his best if he’s to return to the Northamptonshire track with a victory.  The reality is however this is a stepping stone and in more than capable hands he should use as a refresher course on his way to week by week improvement.  Holland is also represented by recent Bresbet Easter Cup champion Swords Rex (16/1 Star Sports) in a hot first trial stakes of the afternoon where he will be looking to build upon last week’s third place finish behind the fast improving Barrie Draper trained Distant Podge (33/1 Star Sports) and also by Clona Duke (22/1 Star Sports) who recently added The Time Greyhound Nutrition Select Stakes at Waterford to his CV having landed the RPGTV Juvenile Classic at Shelbourne in 2022.

Derby champ training team: Graham’s wife Nicky Holland with son Timmy and daughter Rachel and the star of the show Romeo Magico
Towcester 25th June 2022.  Magico is looking to get back to winning ways on his first return to Towcester since his night of glory.
Photo: © Steve Nash

 
Dolores Ruth meanwhile is double handed at today’s meeting with the lightly raced but hugely talented Tullig Raven (currently unlisted with the sponsor but priced between 33/1 – 66/1 elsewhere) lining up in the aforementioned trial stakes one of the day as well as Mustang Jet a hugely pacey sort who finished runner up in The Matchbook Betting Exchange St Leger 550 Final behind Bobsleigh Dream back in December.