It is THE night of the year in greyhound racing.

English Derby Final night – sponsored by Star Sports – is what the Wimbledon men’s singles is to tennis, The Open is to golf, or the Premier League title is to football. It has a history tracing back to 1927. The Derby defines our superstars but tonight’s meeting inaugural Derby meeting from Towcester is about so much more. Racing Post journalist Jonathan Kay succinctly described it as the best British meeting he has ever seen. It is hard to argue in terms of both the variety and class of runners on display.

Quite simply – it doesn’t get any better than this.

Race 1 – 500m (one full lap and a race to the winning line)

The first race is the final of a consolation competition for dogs knocked out of the early rounds of the Derby and in Dorotas Wildcat we have one of the hard luck stories of the last month. The locally based runner would have probably started as favourite for this race with a full field but with neighbour Paradise Valdez withdrawn from the race, he can be expected to lead all the way. But the Wildcat will be a very short price in the betting. So it might be worth remembering that there are no certainties in greyhound racing and Kent born and bred King Kid, who was only narrowly beaten by the Wildcat when they last met, is rated at around 8-1 with the bookies. Ignore the Kid at your peril.

Favourite: Dorotas Wildcat  (T1) Outsider: Rising Razor (T5) Guru Guide: King Kid  (T6)

 

Race 2 – 480mH (just over a full lap but with five hurdles to jump)

The final of the Champion Hurdle features – with due respect to the others – two of the fastest hurdlers over the last couple of years. Razldazl Raidio has won 32 of his 46 races but his record at Towcester is not so special. In opposition, is the 2016 Hurdler of the Year Ballymac Manix who broke the track record just a week ago and he is our selection. The race will also feature one of the night’s biggest priced runners in Julius George who was being quoted at 66-1 in some quarters this morning.

Favourite: Ballymac Manix  (T5) Outsider: Julius George (T2) Guru Guide: Ballymac Manix  (T5)

Race 3 – 500m (one full lap and a race to the winning line)

There are a plenty of greyhound fans who fully expected to see Bubbly Bluebird in tonight’s Derby final – he is one of the most exciting runners in training with 12 wins from his 17 races.  The Romford runner has a huge army of fans who be expecting another “bang and gone” performance from the handsome blue dog. Needless to say, he has plenty on his plate here so absolutely no mistakes at the traps. The big danger is probably Irish runner Garryvoe Bobby.

Favourite: Bubbly Bluebird  (T2) Outsider: Whoops Jack (T5) Guru Guide: Bubbly Bluebird  (T2)

Race 4 – 686m (just over a lap and a half)

A very high class long distance race featuring six hounds who would all be top contenders in their own right. The two leading fancies are drawn in traps one and two. Frankie Lady is the talented young Irish bitch Frankies Lady and her nearest neighbour is the best long distance runner in England. Rubys Rascal absolutely loves Towcester, and is, according to his trainer, ‘in the form of his life’. If the trap draw had come out differently, we could also make a very strong claim for Cloran Paddy though he would have preferred a much lower trap number.

Favourite: Frankies Lady (T1) Outsider: Russalena Reggie (T4) Guru Guide: Rubys Rascal  (T2)

Race 5 – 500m (one full lap and a race to the winning line)

This race is in memory of a very popular lady owner who was a great enthusiast and made many friends as she followed her runners around the country. It features six very promising pups. The likely favourite is Irish entry Jaytee Yankee who is ideally drawn near the rails in trap one. However the Guru is going for girl power in Donation who has won four of her five races since arriving in England in impressive style and looks certain to get a clear run with Calico Ranger normally slow from the traps.

Favourite: Jaytee Yankee  (T) Outsider: Calico Ranger (T5) Guru Guide: Donation  (T6)

Race 6 – 500m (one full lap and a race to the winning line)

Bruisers Bullet appeared to be the host track’s most likely winner of the Derby until eliminated in the semi finals. He will start favourite tonight. As good as he is, the betting market does not seem to represent his chances in a very tough race. If you are looking for better value for money, the giant Carn Brea is the complete outsider at 10-1, a price that does not reflect his chances. This really is almost impossible to call.

Favourite: Bruisers Bullet  (T1) Outsider: Carn Brea (T4) Guru Guide: Carn Brea (T4)

Race 7 – 500m (two full laps and a race to the winning line)

The Dorando Marathon named the Italian who won the 1908 Olympic marathon title at White City – original home of the Greyhound Derby – but was then disqualified for receiving assistance when he collapsed. The Dorando is run every Derby Final night and carries great prestige. Tonight is the first time that it will ever have been staged for eight runners.

Half the field are known to stay this long distance, roughly half are tackling it for the first time. Likely favourite is Irish runner Jaytee Patriot who has won over further than this – 1,010 yards (934m). Ribble Atom is also comfortable over the distance having contested two TV Trophy finals here.

As for the likes of Aayamza Breeze or Slick Strauss, they are into unknown territory. The Guru reckons 12-1 Slick Strauss looks like a chance worth taking.

Favourite: Jaytee Patriot  (T7) Outsider: Adamant Jim (T8) Guru Guide: Slick Strauss  (T2)

 

Race 8 – THE STAR SPORTS DERBY FINAL 500m (one full lap and a race to the winning line)

THE BIG ONE!

On all known form, there is little between the two chief protagonists here – Clares Rocket and Tyrur Shea who are both trained in Ireland. Rocket started the Derby as ante post favourite and has reached the final unbeaten. In theory, he should be a ‘good thing’.

The big question – can he get a clear passage in the early stages of the race with his inside two neighbours Hi Butt and Droopys Acrobat both very fast to the first bend? Butt is particularly interesting in that he is running over a distance generally considered to be on the edge of his stamina limitation. But he is one of the fastest hounds of his generation and also reached last year’s Derby Final.

Tyrur Shea posseses all-round ability but is most noted from his strong finishes. He has absolutely thrilled the crowd by winning from seemingly impossible positions with displays of speed and track craft. Trainer Seamus Cahill has two of the outsiders in Droopys Acrobat and Astute Missile who would both probably need the opposition to encounter traffic problems if they were to prevail – but there would be no more popular winner, than the Hove based Irishman who is liked and respected in equal amounts.

Finally, a mention for the popular Norfolk boy Kevin Boon and his runner Murrys Act. The wider runner broke the track record at the start of the Derby but has struggled to get a clear run ever since and he has run remarkably to keep qualifying. His expected price of 25-1 really does not reflect the chances of a very good greyhound.

Favourite: Clares Rocket  (T3) Outsider: Astute Missile (T4) Guru Guide: Clares Rocket  (T3)