ENGLISH GREYHOUND DERBY PREVIEW: In this week’s preview Barry focusses on the English Greyhound Derby set to start next week and takes a look at a couple of ante post selections that could represent some value.
With the English Greyhound Derby set to commence next week, we’ll look at a few contenders who could offer value further down the ante-post list. Some have caught the eye in recent Derby trial stakes, while others have impressed in trials. Here are four worth noting.
🟪 Lennies Dynamic (Dorotas Wildcat – Pennys Jetstream)
His sire landed this in 2018, while his dam, Pennys Jetstream, has already produced smart performers including Uncle Keith and Bockos Frankel. He qualified well around Newbridge and Shelbourne last September but made headlines for the wrong reasons on debut, with the race comments reading “DidNotStart, DidNotFinish”—far from ideal. Despite that, he arrived with a big reputation and was subsequently sold to Brendan Cocoman and Lee Craze, now running from the Paul Hennessy kennel.
He made amends on his second outing, winning a 400-yard contest at Dundalk in a slick 21:31. Back at Shelbourne over 550, he was miles clear at halfway before tying up late to score by three parts of a length in 29:98. Better followed over 525 at Shelbourne, beating a useful field in 28:30. He impressed again at Limerick, clocking 28:26 in a trial, and improved further when winning the opening round of the Kirby Memorial in a rapid 28:05. A mistimed break ended his Kirby bid in round two, but he shaped well in a Towcester prep trial and ran with credit when fourth behind Dereks Legend last weekend. That outing should bring him on, and if he continues to trap as he can, few will match him to the bend. One to keep firmly onside from a kennel that knows what it takes. Best price: 33/1.
🟪 Ballymac Duffle (Ballymac Cooper – Ballymac Wisdom)
An intended runner for the Dowling kennels, Ballymac Duffle also featured in the Kirby Memorial, exiting at the semi-final stage. His dam was a star over four and six bends and has already produced top-class speedsters, most notably Ballymac Patriot, winner of the 2024 Juvenile Classic.
Duffle followed a similar path, reaching the Juvenile Classic final where he had little luck. The Kirby was next, and after posting a rapid 28:09 in round one, he made it back-to-back wins with a strong late run in round two. He found only his classy kennelmate Ballymac Setanta too good in the quarter-finals but emerged with great credit, clocking 27:93 in defeat. Luck again deserted him in the semis, yet he has shown plenty of quality in just seven starts. He both starts and stays, and if it all clicks, he could develop into a serious contender. Best price: 40/1.
🟪 Ballymac Stud (Droopys Sydney – Ballymac Pete)
Another from the Dowling camp, Ballymac Stud is easy to underestimate. His recent form may not reflect his true ability, but Towcester could spark a revival. He won the valuable Celtic Cooling and Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Novice at Shelbourne, dead-heating with Magical Major, and has shown flashes of brilliance since.
His standout performance came in the third round of last year’s Derby, where he clocked a flying 29:35, only Proper Heiress went quicker in that round. His run ended at the semi-final stage behind Cheap Sandwiches. After a winter break, he returned with a smart win in the opening round of the Tote Gold Cup, later finishing second to Swords Style before again exiting at the semis. Recent sprint outings at Cork haven’t gone his way, but a return to four bends should suit. Still lightly raced, he could be a major player if rediscovering last year’s form. Best price: 66/1.
🟪 Glengar Silent (Droopys Sydney – Singalong Sally)
Out of Singalong Sally, runner-up in the 2021 Derby, Glengar Silent finished third in last year’s Irish Derby behind Cheap Sandwiches. A hugely fast greyhound when in the clear, his 29:26 semi-final run in last year’s Derby was among the quickest recorded in the competition.
He has been lightly campaigned since, posting a couple of eye-catching trials before finishing second to Droopys Faithful at the Winter Racing Festival, his only race start since the Derby final. He moved well in a recent Towcester trial and remains open to significant improvement. With Pat Buckley in charge, he could shorten quickly after a round or two. Best price: 22/1.
We’ll be back early next week with a full preview of the opening round.
The very best of luck to all connections.
Barry.
