The 93rd English Greyhound Derby has fully lived up to the great history of the event.

At a little after 9.15pm, the ultimate Roll of Honour in British greyhound racing will have an additional name. 38 days and five rounds ago, Undulation set the ball in motion. Although ante post favourite Fromposttopillar went out in the opening round, Swords Rex, Romeo Command and Clona Duke – the three shortest priced runners in the final – were in the top five of the betting back on May 25.

The primary ingredient of a great Derby is that great greyhounds go all the way to a glorious showdown.

Towcester’s new starting traps have barely been mentioned, in terms of inconsistent opening or positional favouritism. The track has run fabulously conistently throughout the event. Serious injuries have been thankfully few.

The gates open at 3pm and the first race gets underway 167 minutes later.

The sun is expected to shine, a huge crowd is expected. . .it’s going to be bloody brilliant!

TIPPING CHALLENGE

Betting Guide: 8/11 Maree Champion, 6-5 New Destiny

The Puppy £10k Match Race where the winner takes all gets a fantastic Derby night card off to the classiest and most intriguing of starts.  With the Puppy race itself failing to fill the sporting connections of two of if not the leading pups in the UK got their heads together with the result being this sensational head-to-head.

The Seamus Cahill trained Alf Ashe , Shaun Gresham and Dave Lawrence owned Maree Champion was eliminated from the Derby at the third-round stage but he remains one of the leading pups in the country with a record to date of 6 wins and 1 runner up position from just 9 career starts.  Arriving in the UK unraced he is still open to any amount of improvement and his 2883 solo trial here last week shows him to be in rude health.  Mark Wallis’s New Destiny owned by the MWD Partnership who as an October 2021 whelp has to give away 2 months in age to her rival arrived in the UK with a record of 3 wins from 4 starts in Ireland with the last of those victories coming in an A3 Stake Final at Newbridge in a superb 2842.

Since arriving at the kennel of Champion trainer Mark Wallis she has firmly put herself on the map with 3 wins from just three starts the last of those coming just last Saturday over this course and distance.  Pinging from the traps she led up but allowing Liz McNair’s newcomer King Memphis to claim the lead rounding the turn she had to prove she has the determination as well as the pace in order to preserve her unbeaten UK record.  Coming through late and strong Destiny got back up to win by half a length in 2900 dead before pulling further and further clear to the pick up in the style of a young greyhound who may get further with age.

Match up’s such as this rarely get off the ground due to the time needed between the mooting of such and the eventual dual taking place with injury , season or a variety of other reasons coming into play.  With just a matter of days between the suggestion and the event on this occasion no such concerns have prevented it happening.  This really is too close to call and I’m reluctant to call a result.

The advice is simple and that is to get to the track in plenty of time to secure a position on the terraces for what could well be one of the most exciting races of the night.  This could well put to bed the claims from some quarters that the public don’t want shoot outs such as this.  If this pair go head-to-head up the straight we shall let the roar of the crowd determine their worthiness or not.

 

Betting Guide:9-4 Faypoint Jet, 7-2 Savana Hero, 4-1 Bombay The Best, 6-1 Aero Arran, 10-1 Milton Noah, 16-1 Kaluki

John Mullins FAYPOINT JET (Owner Mrs P Flanagan) has just the 1 start on his card here in the UK which came when beaten but far from disgraced in a top-grade sprint event here at Towcester last week.  He appeared to take a little bit of a stumble not long after leaving the boxes and the race was gone from him very early.  He didn’t give in though and ran on to get within 1 ¼ lengths of a decent winner in Merlins Mate who crossed the line in 15.86.  He has a couple of real good quality wins on the card over at Enniscorthy whilst competing in and reaching the Future Champion And Michael Fortune Memorial Unraced Final.  He’s a classy recruit for the Mullins kennel who should be winning plenty over the coming months.

 

Betting Guide: 7-4 Crossfield Cora, 4-1 Millbank Peach, 6-1 Leighas Dream, Whitings New Era, 8-1 Moments Of Magic, 20-1 Arthur Chicken

The MWD Partnership will be hoping that they’ve already tasted success with New Destiny in the evenings opening match affair and they will be hoping that CROSSFIELD CORA can get the job done in the RPGTV Champion Bitch Stake (Duplicated).  There is plenty of early pace in this race and though Cora does stay this trip and more she will need a lively enough start in order to get into a decent position heading onto the back straight.  If doing so she can take up the running heading into the third turn and kick on for Derby final night glory for her recently formed ownership team.  Barry Denby’s Leighas Dream owned by Northwood Pub is in sensational form at present and will be looking to complete a four timer having won at Perry Barr on her last start despite a missed break.

 

Betting Guide: 8-11 Signet Goofy, 9-2 Singalong Stacey, 11-2 Wolf Moon, 12-1 No Rush, 25-1 Westwell Emer, 33-1 Who Needs Wings

The BGBF Truframe Champion Stakes Final is next up and John Mullins SIGNET GOOFY can win for the 30th time in a sensational career.  The 2022 Steel City Cup Champion at Sheffield has regularly taken on and beaten the very best in training and arrives in tonight’s final in top form having won heat and semi-final of this competition.  He’s well drawn to smash out and make all with Carol Weatherall’s No Rush selected to confirm the form of last week’s semi and chase the selection home in second place.

 

Betting Guide: 11-4 Savana Heross, 3-1 Untold Rupee, 10-3 Luna Jezabelle, 6-1 Teds Dexter, 13-2 Bubbly Scorcher, 50-1 Snooty Rose

Track promoter Kevin Boothby is as passionate a greyhound man as you will find and he like any of us would love nothing more to have a winner on the biggest night in the sport.  SAVANA HEROSS has been in super form in recent times for Diane Henry.  His last competitive start came when winning over 660m at Sheffield but since then he’s enjoyed a short break prior to trialling well over four bends here and then last week over tonight’s trip of 712m in a top class 42.94.  Heross is drawn for a smash break in trap 3 and if hitting the front early the roars from the balcony will be heard for the duration.

 

Betting Guide:3-1 Havana Bale Out, 4-1 Fabulous Azurra, Faypoint Susie, Undulation, 8-1 Distant Emma, 12-1 Whats Up Eva

The RPGTV Champion Bitch Stake and what a race this is.  One of the finest bitch races staged on either side of the Irish sea for many years and selecting the winner is a near on impossible task with cases to be made for each and every one of the six runners.  A tentative selection is given to John Mullins FAYPOINT SUSIE who can just about make the bend in front and set sail for home.  There is a case to be made for Brendan Matthews bitch Undulation who could well have a nice draw to work from if she can just about hold her pitch into the bend and may well be worth a small stake saver.

 

Betting Guide: 4-5 As I Say, 4-1 Jet Stream Wind, 10-1 Deanridge Skippy, 12-1 Innfield Billy, Makeit The Bear, Savana Titan

The Maurice Newman Memorial Trophy is next up and Brendan Matthews As I Say will be popular with some and certainly no surprise if he were to win but at the likely odds he’s sure to be one that the bookmakers will be keen to get in the book.  On value grounds there simply has to be juice elsewhere and that could come in the shape of local trainer Frank Gray’s MAKEIT THE BEAR who is well at home around here.  He’s had his issues this year but the Gray team have shown their usual patience and that could well be rewarded with success on the biggest stage of all.

 

Betting Guide: 5-4 Burnchurch Mick, 7-4 Warzone Tom, 13-2 Ballymac Conti, 14-1 Chelms Switch, 16-1 Kantoher Jack, 66-1 Deanridge Awesom

John Mullins CHELMS SWITCH has never reached the heights that an early career 28.27 trial around Perry Barr suggested he would do but all the same he’s run some fairly decent races when coming away in good style.  His shrewd handler will no doubt have him primed for tonight and in what is an eminently winnable race he could well look very big in the market by the time they head onto the back straight.

 

Betting Guide: 6-4 Ballymac John, 15-8 Savana Top Cat, 6-1 One Day Scooby, 12-1 Coppice Trophy, 16-1 Naney Jezabelle, 25-1 Rapido Lady

The www.greyhoundtrader.com stakes final is next up.  A superb initiative by a flourishing business which has been a hugely welcome addition to greyhound racing here in the UK.  The partnership of Nathan and James Corden are highly respected in the sport and it’s no surprise to see the pair putting back into the game with the winner of tonight’s final set to take home £2500.  Confined to greyhounds purchased through the Greyhound Trader business (track sale , online and privately) the final itself can got to Paul White’s ONE DAY SCOOBY who dug in well to qualify in third place in his heat before improving massively with an eye catching second place finish in his semi-final.  Mark Wallis’s Ballymac John is the obvious danger but at the prices and from a perilous draw in trap 4 he’s opposed by a greyhound who can land Paul White and his team big race success in his final days as a trainer.

 

Betting Guide: 15-8 Jacktavern Bella, 5-2 Ballyhimikin Mel, 6-1 Coonough Crow, Darbys Delight, 8-1 Salacres Smasher, 33-1 Roxholme Duchess

Peter Harnden’s SALACRES SMASHER holds a perfect two from two record over six bends as he heads into tonight’s RPGTV Derby Final Night Stayers and though this is another step up in class he’s take to hold on.  On what we’ve seen so far this trip is most certainly at the upper end of his optimum but he’s a greyhound whose early and middle pace over this kind of trip will break the hearts of many.  Smasher who is jointly owned by Peter himself and Lee Pitman can do exactly what it says on the tin he can smash out from his trap five berth and make all but supporters will have at least one eye looking in behind with any number of his rivals well capable of some power packed finishes.

 

Betting Guide: 4-7 Gougane Jet, 9-2 Newtown Sydney, 10-1 Crossfield Larry, Dubh Gasta, 12-1 Savana Flying, 25-1 Merlins Mate

The puzzling omission from the line up here of Quarteira very much opens up the door for kennel mate GOUGANE JET.  Mark Wallis’s greyhound is a top-class sprinter and he may well have won this in any case but the presence of the lightly raced but extremely talented Quarteira would certainly have made for a much more intriguing race and without doubt a much more backable price.  As it stands however it is what it is and though he will be short enough it’s difficult to see past the 2022 Sprinter Of The Year who can win for the 26th time in just 35 starts.

 

Latest betting: 2-1 Fromposttopillar, 3-1 Brookside Richie, 5-1 Rioja Joey, 13-2 Blackhouse Harry, 7-1 Whyaye Man, 16-1 Droopys Google

The RPGTV Derby Plate Final is a tricky race to call.  Fromposttopillar is about the fastest UK greyhound in training ‘with a run’ but that tag isn’t always as easy to secure as it is to write.  The Liz McNair trained performer will need things to drop perfectly from a horrible looking drawn right out in trap 6 and though he’s well capable of winning the selection falls on Jimmy Fenwick’s BROOKSIDE RICHIE to make all from a lovely make up with against the rail.  Just about beaten in the heat after a sensational performance from Pillar he showed the benefits of front running when just holding him off in their semi-final.  A win on the big night for Jimmy and the team with the roars likely to be heard as far away as St James Park if he gets the job done.

 

Latest betting: 5-6 Swords Rex, 11-2 Clona Duke, Romeo Command, 10-1 Gaytime Nemo, 33-1 Cochise, 66-1 Ninja Kerry

The BIGGEST race of them all.  The Star Sports & TRC English Greyhound Derby Final with a winner’s prize of £175,000.  Graham Holland’s SWORDS REX has been simply flawless throughout the competition so far and if landing the final will surely go down as one of the greatest Derby winners of all time.

A sublime greyhound who simply has it all he can fly the lids and set sail for an imperious victory for the Riverside kennels team and owner Barbara Lowndes.  Rex announced himself to the masses with a superb victory in the 2022 running of the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial and amongst other big race successes added the Bresbet sponsored Easter Cup earlier this year.  A win tonight though would cement his place as an all-time great and there aren’t many who would begrudge him that.

There will off course be challengers and at huge odds and from a nice draw against the rail can Cochise land the Rees family yet more English Derby glory?

The Billy Evans owned runner will need to be at his very best but with the Graham Holland trained/Brendan O’Connell owned Gaytime Nemo likely to move off from his trap 2 berth he could very well take advantage if it did get messy up the middle.  Nemo himself is well capable and if producing a start he will put himself right into contention.

Patrick Janssens Romeo Command arrived in the UK ironically from the Graham Holland kennel looking a supremely talented but somewhat often unlucky in running greyhound but he’s really come of age since arriving in the UK and in the hands of a man not averse to finding the very best breaks from his greyhounds when it really matters could Command add further success to both his trainers CV and that of owner David Firmager ?

Clona Duke owned by Kevin O’Brien is the third of Graham Holland’s finalists and though drawn a little wider than ideal he arrives here in the form of his life having set a new track record of 2869 in last week’s semi-final.  He’ll need a smash but is well capable of producing one.

Last but by no means least is Belinda Green’s Ninja Kerry.  Yet to win during the course of the Derby could he be saving his very best till last?  It will take some performance from the greyhound owned by Alan Balard and Barry Sadler but his trainer has been in the form of her life in 2023 and will have left not one stone unturned.  A superb Derby final that sponsor Ben Keith of Start Sports and the TRC brand can be phenomenally proud of.

 

Betting guide: 15-8 Burj Khalifa, 3-1 Brinkleys Magic, 9-2 Mystical Mario, 8-1 Thunder Black, 12-1 Newinn Ranger, 16-1 Salacres Mac

The Time Greyhound Nutrition Challenge Trophy is the penultimate race of the night and John Lambes MYSTICAL MARIO is selected to make every yard from his inside berth.  He will move off from the inside but he’s enough pace to soon take up position nearer the middle of the track.  Brendan Matthews Burj Khalifa did well to make the semi final of the Derby and is well enough drawn here to follow the selection home and fill the forecast position.

 

Betting guide: 6-4 Space Jet, 9-4 Ower Smasher, 15-2 A Mystical Love, 8-1 Savana Queen, 33-1 Mystical Lucas, 100-1 Romeo Blade

The Sportystuff.tv Dorando brings a superb evening’s racing to and end and what a race it is.  Matt Dartnall’s Space Jet and June Harvey’s Ower Smasher will dominate the head of the market but this race has been the target for Diane Henry’s SAVANA QUEEN for some time.  Queen comes into this fresh off the back of more than decent four and six bend trials and can land this much to the delight of her owner and promoter of the Derby venue Mr Kevin Boothby.