Horse racing has the Epsom Derby, the Gold Cup and the Grand National. In greyhound terms, the Star Sports English Derby carries as much clout as at last two of those three combined.

We started out with nearly 200 runners and tonight are hoping to reduce that number to just a dozen as 24 greyhounds go to traps in four heats – first three to qualify.

The final is in 11 days time and carries a first prize of £175,000.

Tonight’s televised meeting starts off with four heats of the Derby Plate – a consolation chance for some of the runners who considered themselves unlucky to be eliminated from the main event.

The course is the same as Tuesday with all runners running over 500 metres, that is a full circuit plus a run to the winning line.

Traditionally, the quarter finals – with only three days since the last round – always brings its share of shocks.

 

Race 1

The first heat features probably the most high profile runner NOT running in the Derby in Dorotas Wildcat.

The locally trained black had won his previous five races in a row and had broken the track record when he inexplicably stumbled from the traps in the Derby first round. There is definitely a hard luck story in there. Be prepared for him to make amends.

But this is far from a gimme for the Wildcat who will be a very short priced favourite. For example, King Kid has actually recorded faster times than the favourite. The Kent born runner will also be a favourite with the crowd – they love a pacey blue dog – and great value at around 3-1.

There is a reserve – Stand Alone in trap four.

Favourite: Dorotas Wildcat (T2). Outsider: Stand Alone (T4) Guru Guide: Dorotas Wildcat (T2)

Race 2

If this race were run according to the bookie’s predictions, the result would be T1-T6-T5.

The favourite then is Ipswich based Bar The Warrior, trained by Paul Dale. He has the best strike rate having won a third of his 24 races to date. But if your money is on The Warrior, you had better hope he is in front in the early stages because there will be a posse of strong runners challenging in the latter stages.

They would include Silverhill Conor, who would almost certainly be favourite if they had an extra half lap added on. The Guru though has a hunch for the Birmingham raider Maglass Razzle, another who will need to lead, and being quoted at odds of around 3-1.

Favourite: Bar The Warrior (T2). Outsider: Chilli Squid (T3) Guru Guide: Maglass Razzle (T6)

Race 3

If this race was being staged in Dublin, the locals would not be able to see past Sonic who was the beaten favourite in last year’s Irish Derby Final. So far he hasn’t shown a particular flair for Towcester, but if you believe that old adage about form being temporary, he could be the boy for you.

South coast punters, on the other hand, might edge towards Black Zack (T4) who will probably start favourite. The big question mark remains, will he get a clear run between Sonic (T5) and his kennelmate Impressive Guy who runs from trap three.

If you are feeling a little braver, don’t rule out Paradise Valdez, a very lightly raced young dog in trap one and likely to start at around 5-1.

Favourite: Black Zack (T4). Outsider: Dunham Sleepy (T6) Guru Guide: Paradise Valdez (T1)

Race 4

The final heat of the Plate features another of the ‘big guns’ who was expected to be thereabouts at the business end of the Derby. We are talking about the Irish raider Drive On Tipp, who runs from trap two.

The black in the blue jacket is another former track record holder who inexplicably walked from the traps when favourite to win his heat. If he gets clear – it will be a case of ‘how far?’.

The bookies then struggle to decide his biggest danger with very little in the betting between traps 1-4-5-6. The outside is the inexperienced Capoguin Al who was beaten in his only race.

So – go with the favourite – or roll the dice?

Favourite: Drive Up Tipp (T2). Outsider: Capoquin Al (T3) Guru Guide: Graces Blueboy (T6)

 

Race 5

And so onto the first – and probably the most exciting of the four quarter finals.

It features two or the biggest names in racing in Clares Rocket in trap one and Bruisers Bullet in trap three. ‘The Rocket’ has been Derby favourite since last year when he was the outstanding racing dog in Ireland.

He was beaten in first two races at Towester but has won the last three and is second favourite in the betting to win next week’s final. Bruisers Bullet is the local boy come good.

He has only had seven races in his entire career and seems to improve with every race. There is little between the pair in the betting.

Third favourite in trap six is Fweshfromthesesh, trained by 19 year old Alfie Herbert in his first year as a trainer. Are you tempted by the fairytale and 7-1?

Favourite: Clares Rocket (T1). Outsider: Astute Missile (T2) Guru Guide: Fweshfromthesesh (T6)

 

Race 6

The second Derby quarter final sees the 2016 Greyhound of the Year Droopys Buick scratching for some form. Noted from his ‘catch me if you can’ racing style, he has been very slow to start in his last couple of races. Against lesser hounds, you can recover from the occasional lapse, but this is serious opposition!

Drawn on his outside are five of the fastest runners to the bend still left in the competition and include possibly the biggest dog in training, the giant Carn Brea.

On racing styles, the five inside runners are likely to veer to their left as they race to the first bend. That might just open up the options for the brindle Forest Con in trap six.

On all known form, he will be running short of gas by the last few yards, so any bumping behind just might give him the edge.

Favourite: Droopys Buick (T1). Outsider: Crossield Hugo (T2) Guru Guide: Forest Con (T6)

Race 7

The third qualifier features a bunch of runners who have probably exceeded most punters’ expectations.

The betting suggests a close tussle between the two unbeaten runners to date – Birmingham based Danzey Exception in trap one and Romford’s Pacey Bambi in trap four. On times, Exception has the edge on his last run, but Bambi was quicker in the other two races.

Murrays Act is a former track record holder and Droopys Acrobat boasts a tremendous record of nine wins from 21 races.

Overall then, this is probably the tightest of all the qualifiers to call with only Sallows Ford considered a real outsider.

What’s your lucky colour?

Favourite: Danzy Exception (T1) & Pacey Bambi (T4). Outsider: Sallows Ford (T5) Guru Guide: Murrays Act (T6)

Race 8

Finally, the track record holder and Derby favourite Tyrur Shay (T5), up against the defending Champion Jaytee Jet in trap six.

Between the two Irish runners in the betting is one of the most popular British runners for the past two seasons, Hiya Butt, who also reached last year’s Derby Final.

This really is a pen-chewer. At his best, Hiya Butt would be away and gone with connections hoping that the two wide runners get in each other’s way as Butt holds on grimly to his lead.

The problem is, he hasn’t been flying to the bend. The favourite Shay, on the other hand, sometimes bombs away, or sometimes just bombs at the traps and relies on a breakneck finish.

Everybody know what Jet will do, he will follow the leaders on the outside and put in a tremendous finish in the last half lap.

So – now you know – it should be simple! Of course there is always Airport Jumbo who was trading this morning at 66-1.

Favourite: Tyrur Shay (T5) Outsider: Airport Jumbo (T5) Guru Guide: Tyrur Shay (T5)