AUTHOR: Star Sports Content
EMILY WALLIS: Greyhound Derby Blog 2
Welcome back to the second blog for this year’s Star Sports English Greyhound Derby, writes EMILY WALLIS.
It’s been an exciting week since my first blog with lots of Derby developments, which I’m looking forward to delving into!
⭐ STARSPORTS.BET GREYHOUND BETTING ⭐
⭐ The first round officially starts next week so there’s not long to wait but there’s plenty to be excited about this week too. Entries officially close this evening at 7pm and Star Sports will be posting a full list afterwards so we can see every dog who will be going to the traps in the exciting three nights next week. Then, there’s not long to wait until the draw on Friday, which is being done slightly different this year.
Scott Harvey from Greyhound Racing UK said: “We are holding a special three-course meal to celebrate, the evening will be a mix of industry faces, owners and trainers. It will be a good test run for the new caterers at Towcester, plus the first round draw has never been celebrated like this before so I’m looking forward to it.”
Of course, the draw will also be live-streamed through Star Sports so watch out for the link for that on the website and X. I can’t wait to see all the heats, I’m sure with the quality of entry there’s going to be some hot first round races!
⭐ We have seen some of the entries coming in over the last week via Greyhound News UK and it’s great to see the list being updated, the list has already had multiple stars and contenders added to it including Wicky Ned and Proper Heiress. However, there are a lot of names still to come on the full entries list including an inevitably strong team from Graham Holland.
⭐ Last week at Towcester we saw two leading contenders from the Holland kennel including Bockos Diamond and Cheap Sandwiches, the latter was impressive in winning his trial stake as well as his first race of 2025; he beat a good field in a time of 28.94 and is another one sure to come on as the Derby goes on. This week, it was the turn of another very fast wide runner unleashed by the kennel in the form of Bombay Pat.
He was ultra impressive yesterday in winning a hot trial stake that included March On Freddie, Barntick Bear, track record holder, Droopys Pivotel, a semi-finalist last year, and the ultra consistent Vixons Filofax. It was also Bombay Pat’s first run this year and he clocked a rapid 28.60 on a track which didn’t seem to be on the fast side at all.
It is said every year, but Graham Holland and his team really do have some ammunition this year, and I’m looking forward to getting some insight into the team next week for the blog!
⭐ STARSPORTS.BET GREYHOUND BETTING ⭐
⭐ In the last week, I’ve finally found out the answer to one of the most asked questions in greyhound racing. After mentioning about Proper Heiress’ name in my blog last week, I was finally enlightened by Liam Aspin, kennelhand to my Dad, through Dave Lawrence that there could have been a slight mix up in the paperwork with Proper Heiress and his litter sister Hogans Hawk, the recent Hunt Cup winner at Oxford, as pups.
It’s nice to know why he is called what he is but we certainly don’t mind, his pet name ‘Harry’ suits him perfectly and I’m sure Seamus Cahill doesn’t mind either as his bitch won him another Category 1, even with a masculine name.
⭐ There was an over 7 length winner in another warm trial stake yesterday, however he was a much bigger price than Bombay Pat was in his! Ballymac Kobe led until the run home in the Puppy Derby final at Towcester last November and has been slightly hit or miss since, but he certainly wasn’t stopping yesterday beating a good field including Dynamic Force, a nice type for the Hennessy’s, Romeo Command, a multiple big race winner and Derby runner-up, Bombay the Joker and Faypoint Susie. His breeding suggests he shouldn’t have any issues with 500 metres and he could be getting that bit stronger as he gets older, with performances like that yesterday his ante-post price could look slightly too big.
⭐ Maxine Locke, trainer of Ballymac Kobe, has unleashed another future star at Hove in the last couple of weeks in the shape of Headford Asher. Rumours were circulating beforehand that he was meant to be even quicker than his brother and Monmore Puppy Derby winner, Headford Dane, and that does seem to be the case.
On Saturday night, he won the Hove Puppy Cup, a competition which has thrown some real stars over the last few years, in one of the fastest times ever over the trip – 28.88. Connections may be cautious about entering him because of his age as he is just an August 2023 pup, but it’ll be interesting to see if his name is on the list later on. If not, he could definitely be high up in the betting for next year.
⭐ There is another trial session at Towcester tomorrow with more dogs who will be entered. Once again this year, it’s great to see the trial sessions being live streamed on the track’s YouTube channel and the times being posted on their X pretty much straight after the dogs go round.
⭐ One interesting dog on the trial card for tomorrow is Antigua Kestrel, the sole entry for Kevin Hutton this year. Kevin won the Derby back in 2018 with Dorotas Wildcat on an unforgettable night for his kennels; although his team only has one entry this year, no one should be discounting Antigua Kestrel. He was entered in the Derby last year for Kevin on just his first UK start and it’s fair to say it did come slightly too soon for him despite progressing to the second round. He hasn’t had too many races since but has impressed in the starts he has had including a 28.60 at Central Park.
On him, Kevin said: “I think he’s the type of dog that will give a good account of himself, if the draws are kind. He’s strong and will take the races very well so we’re hoping for some luck along the way. He posted 28.89 last week and another trial should have him in good order ready for the start.”
⭐ STARSPORTS.BET GREYHOUND BETTING ⭐
⭐ In Tuesday’s trial session, we get to see the defending champion De Lahdedah! I recently did a kennel visit with his trainer, Liam Dowling, who seemed quite keen on the dog’s chances again. He’s had a handful of good runs in Ireland since his victory last year but will be fresh and ready to go for another tilt at the competition.
It meant so much to Liam to win the Derby last year and there were some great scenes at Towcester when De Lahdedah crossed the line. After years of trying and finally getting his name on the trophy last year, could Liam do it again this year? He went through the whole team in my recent kennel visit which included some young, exciting prospects too.
⭐ Best of luck to anyone with a runner going into the draw on Friday, I can’t wait to see them all and really start looking forward to the first round. I’ll be back next week discussing the draw and giving more Derby updates!
Views of authors do not necessarily represent views of Star Sports Bookmakers.
STAR PROMOTIONS
Most Read
GREYHOUND DERBY 2026: Semi-Final Draw...
Following the conclusion of the...
GWA GREYHOUND DERBY 2026 TIPPING CHAL...
The GWA Greyhound Derby Media...
ALEX CROOK: Tales of the 2025/26 Prem...
Star Sports ambassador ALEX CROOK...
