Following a draw re-think, there will be tension all the way from heat one to heat 48 in the first round draw for the William Hill Greyhound Derby with two to qualify from each heat. 33 of the heats will be for five runners, the remainder will be for six dogs.
Wednesday kicks off with a clash between the two highly rated Lenson Sanchez and Paradise Maverik. Three heats later, the Racing Post Juvenile forecast Newinn Yolo and Ballymac Brogan renew rivalry.
The highlight of Thursday’s card is probably the heat 18 clash between 28.20 trialstake winner Riverside Pat, Gymcrack winner Stay Loose and last year’s semi finalist Aero Nemesis. Not that heat 20 is far behind with the clash between Pat’s kennelmate Clares Wonder and East Anglian Derby winner Swift Keith.
Defending champ Salad Dodger goes in heat 28 on Friday, while Scottish Derby winner Swift Hoffman features in probably the best heat alongside top Irish pup Sidarian Vega and the talented Swift Perth (ht 34).
The 2014 runner-up Droopys Ward gets his campaign underway in Saturday’s heat 42. Derby favourite Droopys Nidge doesn’t make an appearance until the penultimate heat but will need to be on his toes to clear the extremely useful Coolemore Joe. The round reaches an exciting conclusion with track record holder Fiery Splendour, Scottish Derby finalist Face The Don, Arc finalist Calco Flyer and the talented veteran Roxholme Ted, all in the mix for the two qualifying spots.
