ENGLISH GREYHOUND DERBY PREVIEW: In this week’s preview Barry previews the opening round of the English Greyhound Derby staged at Towcester on Friday and Saturday.
FRIDAY
Heat 1
1 Foxwood Christy
2 Ballymac Ralf
3 Silverhill Adam
4 Noellie
5 Priceless Romeo
6 Aero Pumpkin
🟪 Verdict: The opening heat of the opening round gets underway at 6:20 on Friday evening and here the well-bred Ballymac Ralf looks set to go off favourite for Liam Dowling. Ralf has been highly tried in his brief career to date and has managed just one win from five outings. He moved well on his first look at the track last week and any improvement on that effort would see him hard to beat. Silverhill Adam rates the main danger. A three-time winner at the track, he moves well from halfway and will be finishing best of all. Noellie won the Gold Collar Final at Hove late last year and has had just the one start this year, while we have yet to see the best of Priceless Romeo and, at the current prices, he will be my selection in a tricky opener.
Selections (5-2-3)
Heat 2
1 Glengar Kane
2 Getup The Boy
3 Newinn Oscar
4 Aero Pepinillo
5 Not So Steady
6 Ballymac Tibet
🟪 Verdict: Irish Champion Plate winner Ballymac Tibet returns for his second crack at the title. He was eliminated in the third round last year and will be looking to go much further this time around. Tibet has only had the two starts this year and needs to step up on recent form. Getup The Boy won the Juvenile Derby at Shelbourne last November and made it to the semi-final of the Kirby at Limerick recently. He has huge pace down the far side and, if breaking like he can, could build up a useful lead. The unbeaten Glengar Kane won an unraced stake at Enniscorthy recently and falls under the “could be anything” bracket. Getup The Boy sets a decent standard and could just make his experience pay.
Selections (2-1-6)
Heat 3
1 Rackethall Brute
2 Droopys Bookem
3 Ballymac Blanco
4 Scooby The Lady
5 Flashing Fender
6 Texas Jack
🟪 Verdict: Last year’s semi-finalist Droopys Bookem is a fascinating runner in the third heat. He gave connections a mighty thrill last year and only narrowly missed out on a place in the final by three parts of a length. This will be his first run back at Towcester since last year’s Derby, but he has continued in good form since. He made it to the final of the All England Cup at Newcastle late last year and has returned from a short break winning both outings at Newcastle in 2026. Scooby The Lady is another who has been in superb form of late. She won the Kent Plate at Central Park last month and ran better than the placings suggest last time out. She will be looking to make every yard. Texas Jack is a greyhound I like. He has huge ability, but luck has been against him in recent outings. I don’t think we’ve seen the best of him at Monmore and he carried no luck last time out. He is not without a chance in a good quality heat.
Selections (4-2-6)
Heat 4
1 Unassuming
2 The Other Kodi
3 Grouchos Jack
4 Singalong Polly
5 Robbies Glory
6 Epic Rebel
🟪 Verdict: Grouchos Jack ran well on track debut after missing the start last time out. He does need to break much better than last time but his trial form suggests he can. He’s short enough at the current odds and could be worth taking on. His kennelmate Singalong Polly has some cracking Irish form and will be running on strongly, as too will Unassuming in the red jacket. There is a lack of early pace in this heat and, at a massive price, Robbies Glory could just find himself in front at the opening bend. Yes, he will need to build up a big advantage at halfway, but the current 20/1 on offer looks too big and I think he will be much shorter come race night.
Selections (5-1-4)
Heat 5
1 Rapido Benny
2 Droopys Aladdin
3 Zenith Sultan
4 Faypoint Harvey
5 Slick Skylark
6 Longacres Daddy
🟪 Verdict: Droopys Aladdin will be a warm favourite to take heat five. He comes here on the back of four straight wins after winning the Laurels at Dunstall unbeaten. He made the quarter-finals last year and looks sure to go well in this heat. He’s certainly the one to beat. Faypoint Harvey took a heavy fall last time around here and may be best watched on this occasion. Rapido Benny has run well around here in the past and can grab a place.
Selections (2-1-4)
Heat 6
1 Swords Style
2 Donishall Sam
3 Carmac Cash
4 Teejays Buddy
5 Underground Jim
6 Tiffield Tarquin
🟪 Verdict: Cracking heat. Swords Style has been a talking dog over the last couple of weeks as he has really taken to the place and displayed blinding early pace. He has certainly improved for the switch to Towcester. He was already a classy sort when running at Shelbourne, but the improvement has surprised me. Teejays Buddy and Underground Jim are two former Irish greyhounds. Buddy, formerly known as Droopys Painting, was unlucky on a handful of starts in Ireland but got back to winning ways when last seen at Shelbourne. I was there that night and it was a hell of a run. His best form in Ireland would match that of Swords Style and I wish connections all the best after his recent sale. Underground Jim made it into my Ten To Follow when running under the name Rallying Mac. I thought he looked destined to be a star over six bends but he hasn’t really stepped forward since his move to the UK. Tiffield Tarquin is a real winning machine. He always gives you a run for your money and has strong winning form over four and six bends. He made it to the quarters last year and deserves respect. Teejays Buddy has had his issues but there is a big run in him, and it could come on Friday night.
Selections (4-6-1)
Heat 7
1 Hackney Toast
2 Droopys Graph
3 Carrick Scholsey
4 Ballymac Odin
5 Salthill Sydney
6 Noirs Pocket
🟪 Verdict: Carrick Scholsey got the better of Ballymac Odin last time out and it’s hard to see Odin turning that form around, drawn on the outside of Scholsey once again. Carrick Scholsey is a decent sort and, if leading over this sort of trip, would be a hard nut to crack. On this occasion I will be with the impeccably bred Droopys Graph. Pat Janssens’ runner has a cracking card with seven wins from twelve starts. He ran well in the recent Kent Derby at Central Park and should take the beating here off a level start.
Selections (2-3-1)
Heat 8
1 Bombay Hawk
2 Gav Nificent
3 Dunbolg Formula
4 Coloursaregreen
5 Bockos Buster
6 Bockos Diamond
🟪 Verdict: He’s back—Bockos Diamond. It’s great to see him return to the track and he has gone somewhat under the radar. Last year’s finalist has not raced since August but reports are that he is going as well as ever. He has only had the one trial outing on his card but expect the champion trainer to have him near peak fitness for this engagement. The draw could have been kinder as he has Bockos Buster on his immediate inside. Buster has huge early gears and can race to the corner if starting well. Irish Easter Cup winner Coloursaregreen is better than his run last week but faces a tricky draw and needs a fast start. Gav Nificent can go up well on the inside but is another who needs luck. All eyes will be on Bockos Diamond and it would be great to see him back to winning ways.
Selections (6-5-4)
Heat 9
1 Lennies Eddie
2 Salacres Lock Up
3 Unanimous Leo
4 Ballymac Siun
5 Zenith Legend
6 Bossman Buddy
🟪 Verdict: Lennies Eddie has taken really well to the track, winning both outings. He has landed a perfect draw on the fence and should race clear with a decent break. Ballymac Siun and Unanimous Leo have strong Irish form but both look to be facing tricky draws. Irish Produce Stake winner Bossman Buddy (formerly Lemon Joey) has a perfect draw out wide as the sole wide seed. Salacres Lock Up is improving with each and every run and will have his supporters, his latest effort reads well but he needs to reproduce that start. Zenith Legend will be running on late but needs luck.
Selections (1-2-6)
Heat 10
1 Droopys Alltheway
2 Shudacudawouda
3 No Better Feelin
4 Salacres Lucia
5 Glengar Silent
6 Ballinabola Joe
🟪 Verdict: Trainer Pat Buckley has a strong hand in heat ten with the classy pair of Ballinabola Joe and Glengar Silent. Joe was the winner of the recent Cesarewitch at Mullingar and also impressed in his latest outing at Shelbourne when winning by a wide margin over 575 yards. He has winning form around here from last year, where he won the opening two rounds, and has a cracking draw in six. His kennelmate and likely favourite Glengar Silent really impressed in a recent trial here. Last year’s Irish Derby third is highly thought of by connections and arrives as one of the ante-post favourites for outright glory. He may just lack a yard of early pace but he is a greyhound of huge power and it will take a good one to beat him. The Buckley pair should dominate, with Droopys Alltheway best of the rest.
Selections (5-6-1)
Heat 11
1 Zenith Aslan
2 Unthinkable
3 Ballymac Malinas
4 Happy Jet
5 Bubbly Charger
6 Slick Sentinel
🟪 Verdict: One of the more open heats. Currently Ballymac Malinas heads the betting at around 6/4 and I’d be surprised if he were not bigger on the night. He has some solid Irish form but remains a maiden, albeit one that has been highly tried. His trial was decent behind Ballymac Stud and he does set the standard. Happy Jet is pacey but frustrating. One win in his last nine does not reflect his true ability and he often finds ways to lose races. Bubbly Charger has been lightly raced this year and can race prominently, while Slick Sentinel looks the safest option. He has raced in good company around here in the past and I would be surprised if the current 7/2 was still available come the off. Slick Sentinel for me, but at a price Happy Jet is worth including.
Selections (6-4-3)
Heat 12
1 Epic Ace
2 Ballymac Sargie
3 Eagles Respect
4 Deerjet Rocket
5 Kranky Drake
6 Swift Magnison
🟪 Verdict: On his day Epic Ace is one of the fastest greyhounds in Ireland. The last dog to beat Bockos Diamond, he did it fair and square. Ace has only had the one start this year where he finished last at Shelbourne Park. I was in attendance that night and you can easily forgive that run. He missed the kick slightly and was in trouble from a very early stage. He is far quicker than his recent 28.80 trial would suggest and can really shift when doing things right. I don’t think he is the type to do things right for six weeks, but on this occasion you feel he will put in a big performance. I respect Kranky Drake and Swift Magnison but I believe Epic Ace is in a different league and he is a confident selection in heat twelve.
Selection (1-2-5)
Heat 13
1 Grouchos Cossie
2 Snazzy Bolger
3 Sole Focus
4 This Approach
5 Ballymac Stud
6 Ragdoll Rosie
🟪 Verdict: Recent sales purchase This Approach got off to a winning start for new connections last time out and there could be further improvement on the cards as he settles in. The draw is far from ideal and he will need to make a slick exit. A greyhound I like here is Ballymac Stud. His recent form has been well short of his best but this track could just suit him. He was highly thought of last year and made the Irish Derby semi-final. Still relatively lightly raced, he could put in a big performance this weekend. I’ve had a few quid each-way at big prices and feel a return to form could be just around the corner.
Selections (5-4-1)
Heat 14
1 Ballymac Duffle
2 Zenith Pasha
3 Aero Boris
4 Teddie
5 Malcolm Bosh
6 Thor Odinson
🟪 Verdict: The final heat on Friday night can go the way of Ballymac Duffle, another one of my ante-post fancies. Duffle made it to the final of the Juvenile Classic at Tralee before putting up some big displays in this year’s Kirby Memorial, where he reached the semi-final. He has a perfect draw on the fence and moved really well on his first look at the track last weekend. To be honest, it’s not one of the strongest opening round heats and it would be a surprise if Duffle was turned over. Teddie looks the main rival, with Malcolm Bosh another who could nick a place.
Selections (1-4-5)
SATURDAY
Heat 15
1 Loxleys Forest
2 Ballymac Kobe
3 Ello Ello
4 Teejays Chelms
5 Slippery Brian
6 Uncle Keith
🟪 Verdict: The action on Saturday night kicks off at 6:20 and one that could go well here at a big price is Uncle Keith. It’s safe to say he’s not straightforward, but he does have a massive engine. This is his first run at the track and it may just suit him. His Irish form is as good as some of the more fancied runners in here and his price is simply too big. Slippery Brian has improved since the switch to Towcester and is unbeaten at the track with two wins from two. Ello Ello put in some big runs in the Kirby at Limerick recently and will have his supporters, but Uncle Keith is an interesting runner in the opener and just gets the nod.
Selections (6-3-5)
Heat 16
1 Cmon The Brom
2 Brunch Pal
3 Ballymac Setanta
4 Heres Ringo
5 Bubbly Hogan
6 Behemoth
🟪 Verdict: I have long been a fan of Ballymac Setanta. He missed the break in the final of the Kirby at Limerick a few weeks back but on his day he is as quick as any. He is towards the top of the ante-post betting for good reason and is firmly the one to beat here. Brunch Pal has been a real star since his switch from Ireland, winning ten of his fifteen starts for new connections. He is sure to go a long way, a really likeable, consistent type. Bubbly Hogan is another recent new recruit from Ireland where he ran under the name Upper Horgan. I liked him during his Irish days but he looks a level or two below Ballymac Setanta.
Selections (3-2-5)
Heat 17
1 Romeo Arran
2 Droopys Berries
3 Westfield Forno
4 Toddys Tank
5 Lennies Desire
6 Cheap Sandwiches
🟪 Verdict: Irish Derby champion Cheap Sandwiches returns to action. The star of the Irish track last year has not been seen since getting the better of Ballymac Setanta at the Winter Racing Festival at Shelbourne. He usually goes well fresh, but I’m sure he will step forward from this run. Lennies Desire may just be the one to side with on this occasion. When he’s good, he’s very good and last week’s run, albeit disappointing, should leave him spot on for this. He can make use of his fitness advantage and get the better of Cheap Sandwiches. Droopys Berries will be running on and can make the frame.
Selections (5-6-2)
Heat 18
1 Soapy Suds
2 Gaytime Clyde
3 Zenith Jimbombom
4 Jimmyjimmyjimmy
5 Holding Aero
6 Vacant
🟪 Verdict: The first of the five-dog heats can go the way of Zenith Jimbombom. His last two runs read well in the context of this heat, which is not the strongest. The early lead looks up for grabs and Jimbombom looks a likely leader. He made all to get the better of the re-opposing Gaytime Clyde last time out and looks likely to get first run on that rival again. Soapy Suds can take a qualifying place.
Selections (3-2-1)
Heat 19
1 Kellies Emerald
2 Garfiney Warrior
3 Droopys Sort
4 Betgoodwin Ben
5 Vacant
6 Droopys Deploy
🟪 Verdict: Garfiney Warrior was a real eye-catcher in defeat last time out. He does lack a yard of early pace but he is going to be hard to keep out of the frame in this year’s Derby. He will need the gaps to appear but none will be finishing faster. Droopys Deploy made the final of last year’s Irish Derby; his recent form is well below his best and he needs to get back there. At a big price it may be worth siding with Betgoodwin Ben. He has some cracking form around Shelbourne and may be able to get to the front. The current 14/1 on offer looks too big.
Selections (4-2-6)
Heat 20
1 Quill Quids
2 Strike It Skye
3 Droopys Trade
4 Hackney Corner
5 Vacant
6 Advantage Rule
🟪 Verdict: This looks a match according to the betting between Strike It Skye and Hackney Corner (formerly Left Corner Back). Hackney Corner was very highly thought of as a youngster and still remains lightly raced. His latest win around Shelbourne over 575 yards was one of the best times ever recorded for the distance and he must have a serious chance here. Strike It Skye has an experience edge having won around here on numerous occasions in the past. Droopys Trade is not out of it but needs a fast start. The race to the corner could be crucial, but I’ll side with Hackney Corner to come out on top.
Selections (4-2-3)
Heat 21
1 Mulveys Champ
2 Gaytime Joachim
3 Goldcash Warrior
4 Cartoonist
5 Vacant
6 Turnthemagicon
🟪 Verdict: Goldcash Warrior has been lightly raced of late but has impressed in trials. This looks a good opportunity for him to lead. Mulveys Champ impressed when winning here on Sunday but this looks a big step up in grade. The five-dog race will suit Cartoonist, he will be finishing best of all. Gaytime Joachim should be in the mix but it’s hard to look past Goldcash Warrior; he should be up to making all in this heat.
Selections (3-4-2)
Heat 22
1 Optic Pharaoh
2 Low Profile
3 Chelms Charmer
4 Ballymac Deniro
5 Grantstown Cross
6 Alright Twinkle
🟪 Verdict: Betting once again suggests this rests between Ballymac Deniro and Low Profile. Low Profile has the benefit of a couple of runs around here and couldn’t have been more impressive when winning last time out. He is a strong sort and once he led it was game over for the opposition. He doesn’t always break like that and looks short enough to me. The lightly raced Ballymac Deniro gets my vote. He impressed when winning the Juvenile Classic at Tralee and had no luck in the opening round of the Kirby. His recent Towcester trial was electric and even a repeat would suffice. Grantstown Cross can follow the pair home.
Selections (4-2-5)
Heat 23
1 Salacres Lincoln
2 Proper Heiress
3 Romeo Ability
4 Down Tothe Wire
5 Ballymac Axel
6 Lennies Dynamic
🟪 Verdict: Cracking heat. Proper Heiress needs no introduction. He lit up last year’s Irish Derby and was a star of the track in the UK to match. He went on to take the Eclipse and the Olympic at Hove late last year and returned this year to make the final of the Kent Plate at Central Park. Knocked out at the second round stage last year but has improved since. There is early pace inside him but his class should see him through. Lennies Dynamic arrives with a big reputation. Although beaten last week, I feel he will come on plenty for that run and he’s one I fancy to go a long way. Romeo Ability is no slouch and Ballymac Axel will have supporters. At the prices I’ll side with Lennies Dynamic to get the better of Proper Heiress.
Selections (6-2-5)
Heat 24
1 Salacres Amara
2 Ernie Webb Mate
3 Underground Gold
4 Naochra
5 Romeo Tomcat
6 Bluey Bullet
🟪 Verdict: Underground Gold looks potentially top class. The son of Callaway Pro Am has won six of his seven starts and was sensational when winning the Puppy Derby final at Monmore. He features high on the ante-post list and it’s easy to see why. His main market rival is Romeo Tomcat. He won the Derby Plate final here last year and has a huge experience edge. In seven visits to the track, he has only finished outside the top two once and commands respect. It looks between the two, but slight preference is for Underground Gold. Naochra is best of the remainder.
Selections (3-5-4)
Heat 25
1 Yorkie Ollie
2 Burrows Charm
3 Carrigoon Milo
4 Rebel Alaska
5 Crossfield Dean
6 Westfield Vicky
🟪 Verdict: Where do we start with Yorkie Ollie. He has all the pace in the world but can be frustrating. Perfectly drawn in red, he has no excuses. He had two starts here last year, winning a couple of Derby trial stakes before injury ruled him out of the Derby itself. After a five-month break he returned in September. It took him six runs to win again but his last couple of outings have been promising. Very good on his day, but hard to know what to expect. If he is on a going day he is fast enough to beat these. Rebel Alaska and Burrows Charm look main rivals but don’t ignore Crossfield Dean at a big price.
Selections (1-2-5)
Heat 26
1 Bartlemy Mainoo
2 Romeo Empire
3 Hardy Bucko
4 Toddys Storm
5 Radical Story
6 Lennies Tank
🟪 Verdict: Easter Cup finalist Lennies Tank has his first start at the track and will need to step up on last week’s trial. He showed flashes of brilliance in the Easter Cup but was ultimately disappointing when leading in the final. On a going day he has a fine chance to race prominently here as the sole wide seed. The obvious danger is Romeo Empire. He has cracking form over four and six bends and last year’s quarter-finalist has a good record at the track. He will need to come from off the pace but if he can get a run at Lennies Tank he could prove too strong. Empire is chosen to get the better of Lennies Tank late on, with Radical Story another who can finish strongly. Bartlemy Mainoo is better than recent form suggests but needs luck.
Selection (2-5-6)
Heat 27
1 Droopys Script
2 Dereks Legend
3 Droopys Maximus
4 Ballymac Dave
5 Burrows Zeus
6 Deadly Disco
🟪 Verdict: Strong runners line up in the penultimate heat. Dereks Legend, Droopys Maximus and Deadly Disco all have winning form over six bends and it may be an opportunity for a lesser-fancied runner to steal a march. Burrows Zeus is interesting. He has not raced since switching to the UK but had classy Irish form over two and four bends. This heat lacks early pace and it would be no surprise to see Zeus lead. Fitness needs to be taken on trust but he looks a likely leader. Dereks Legend beat a good field last time and will be on the premises, while Deadly Disco will be flying from halfway.
Selections (5-2-6)
Heat 28
1 Farmway Shady
2 Carrick Fergie
3 The Other Chief
4 Ballintemple Gen
5 Newinn Deejay
6 Ballymac Iroko
🟪 Verdict: The final heat of the opening round can go the way of The Other Chief. It’s not the strongest heat and his recent form reads well. He is strong enough off the front and this looks a good opportunity to lead. Irish raider Ballymac Iroko represents a leading kennel and must be giving all the right signs but does need to step up on recent form. The old boy of the party Carrick Fergie will have his supporters but is not quite the force of old. Stakes to a minimum. The Other Chief a tentative selection.
Selections (3-6-2)
The very best of luck to all connections.
Barry.
