JONATHAN HOBBS: It’s semi-final night in the Star Sports/TRC Events & Leisure English Greyhound Derby 2021 at Towcester – with three places up for grabs for a crack at next week’s £175,000-to-the-winner final.

Defending champion Deerjet Sydney is still in there!

He’s less than a minute away from greyhound immortality as a Double Derby winner and spearheads a powerful Irish charge on the famous race – with eight of the 12 semi-finalists from across the Irish Sea. So let battle commence again . . .

The Derby semi-finals aside, Towcester breaks new ground with two heats of the Dorando Marathon with an appearance from Greyhound of the Year Aayamza Royale and the defending champion Affirmed.

Let’s have a look.

Towcester

6.24: The first heat of a bitches’ event kicks off the card and Holdem Lauren with a ping-start takes all the beating. Expect improvement on her trial, although a handy position from Aayamza Lexie makes her a player. She stays this trip strong for the Mark Wallis camp.

Play: Aayamza Lexie

6.42: Droopys Aoife might be popular here. The draw looks decent and she’s strong-running sort. However better value could be had with Magical Firebird – Kevin Hutton’s runner is an improving sort with graded wins here achieved in decent times.

Play: Magical Firebird

7pm: Bettys Book moved well in her comeback trial. Kevin Boon’s runner is a strong-running sort who looks well pitched between slower starters and could turn handy – and might even lead. Tromora Birdie is coming forward with each run and is respected.

Play: Bettys Book

7.17: Mr Roo will be fancied to run well here again at Towcester – he’s got a good record here as the Northamptonshire Sprint second. That said, Knighganny Lad showed pace over four bends recently and John Mullins’ dog is interesting dropped in trip – at a price.

Play: Knighganny Lad

7.35: Another Mullins runner could surprise some talented sorts – if getting things together from the get-go. The red jacketed runner can trap fast at times and could give himself every chance inside, although certainly needs others to falter on the clock.

Play: Notouttheway

7.54: The first heat of the Dorando and the first of two hot favourites. Diane Henry’s Savana Volcano should win well, but the value to be best of the rest might be Droopys Bird who ran well enough at Crayford last time and has enough speed to turn handily.

Play: Droopys Bird e-w

8.14: No opposing Mark Wallis’s Aayamza Royale, the reigning Greyhound of the Year and TV Trophy champion. She was beaten by Bubbly Angel here in April but raised her game since and should win well. Dorando Double could run a big race especially if leading up.

Play: Dorando Double e-w

8.34: The first of the Derby Plate semis and Glengar Bale is again a strong fancy. Pat Buckley’s dog ran a good race last week, keeping on well behind Angry Dad, but is fancied to dominate tonight. He starts and stays well and is fancied over Angry Tornado.

Play: Glengar Bale

8.51: Angry Dad is an improving pup who should soon dominate here in this second Derby Plate semi. He posted a good clock last week when beating Glengar Bale and the form of that race looks rock-solid. Peter Cronin’s dog can make it another Irish win.

Play: Angry Dad

9.09: The first Greyhound Derby semi-final now. Deerjet Sydney is the only unbeaten dog left in the competition and has proved able to handle an inside draw. Pat Buckley has a strong hand tonight and the reigning champion can lead the way proving he comes away. The Double Derby dream is still very much alive. That said any mistakes and Toolmaker Sydney takes advantage. He finished behind his compatriot last week but just stumbled slightly on exiting the boxes and a smoother start certainly puts him in the mix.

Play: Deerjet Sydney

9.27: Knocknaboul Syd won well enough last week to potentially land the Buckley double. He’s a solid front runner and could soon be on the march given the same black jacket draw he’s worn for the last two weeks. Bockos Belly is the alternative here, especially if coming away better than last week. He’s so powerful and qualified brilliantly – and quite easily in the end – when looking in trouble. A handier slot makes him a big player tonight as one of three Patrick Janssens-trained runners in this second semi.

Play: Knocknaboul Syd

Good luck all.

@Hobbsy67