17 IRISH IN DERBY ACTION AS OPENING ROUND CONCLUDES AT TOWCESTER
Ian Fortune
The opening round of the Star Sports & Orchestrate English Greyhound Derby will come to a conclusion this evening and a total of 17 Irish trained runners will be on show, many attempting to match the exploits of our seven winners in Friday’s opening session.
It’s entirely possible the raiding party could match, or even better, Friday’s tally but plenty will need to go their way. Indeed, Towcester sent out a reminder on Friday night that any mistakes in the early yards can prove very costly.
Of the Irish in action, Irish Derby champion Cheap Sandwiches and Ballymac Setanta are the most-high profile, but many more are expected to go deep in the competition.
SANDWICHES AND DESIRE MEET
Cheap Sandwiches and Lennies Desire, who lost his track record on Friday, line-up side by side in Heat 17.
The former will be a hot favourite and is set to justify his lofty position in the betting despite his lack of recent action.
Indeed, this will be the first time Cheap Sandwiches has raced since the Winter Racing Festival. Lennies Desire is hugely fast but hasn’t won over four bends since August. He will need to be at his very sharpest in the early yards.
SETANTA TO SHOW HIS CLASS
Ballymac Setanta makes his Towcester bow in Heat 16, the second of the evening.
Liam Dowling chose to skip a planned trial at the Derby venue after his exploits through the Kirby, instead giving his superstar a small break.
Should he trap on terms that won’t be a problem, however. Ballymac Setanta has raced at four very different tracks and handled the challenges of each. A true professional, he can remind those doubting his chances that he is a special hound.
AN IRISH TRIO
Three Irish lines out in the opening heat, Ello Ello, Slippery Brian and Uncle Keith.
Any of the trio can play a part but a lively exit would certainly help. Slippery Brian is two from two around Towcester, going quick in each, and that track experience could make the difference.
CLYDE AND WARRIOR ON THEIR OWN
Gaytime Clyde is amongst the favourites in a wide-open looking Heat 18.
If finding his trapping boots, he could certainly go close although there is little room for error. His kennel companion Garfiney Warrior is the sole Irish representative in Heat 19. The powerful galloper has been installed favourite despite probably wanting further. Irish Derby finalist Droopys Deploy is now based in the UK and looks a serious threat.
CORNER TO TAKE ON SKIES
Hackney Corner has been one of the most popular greyhounds in the ante-post market to a point where he is amongst the favourites for outright glory.
His credentials will be tested in Heat 20 where he takes on the UK’s fastest female Strike It Skye. The pair dominate the betting and it’s difficult to see beyond them. Hackney Corner may have too much early speed for his rival and is chosen to give Pat Buckley another opening round winner.
JOACHIM A PLAYER
Gaytime Joachim is amongst the favourites for Heat 21.
Representing the team of Graham Holland and Brendan O’Connell, who won the classic in the recent past with Gaytime Nemo, the son of Roaming Turbo is likely to figure and will look to get first run on likely favourite Goldcash Warrior.
IRISH DOMINATE MARKET
The Irish have a very strong hand in Heat 22 with Low Profile and Ballymac Deniro dominating the market.
Low Profile was mighty impressive in his latest outing at Towcester, making all to score in 28.50. A repeat of that form would see him go close but Ballymac Deniro is potentially very special. The Juvenile Classic winner flew around in his only trial at Towcester, stopping the clock in 28.43. If avoiding traffic, the Irish duo can come home clear of their rivals.
DYNAMIC TO TEST HEIRESS
2025 Irish Derby finalist and multiple Category 1 winner Proper Heiress is seen by many as the UK’s best hope this year but he will be tested by the Paul Hennessy trained Lennies Dynamic in Heat 23.
Brendan Matthews also sends out Down Tothe Wire.
Proper Heiress will be odds-on to score but don’t be shocked if Lennies Dynamic gives him plenty to think about. With four to qualify, the strong running Down Tothe Wire can improve on his recent trial to progress.
OLLIE WITH AN IDEAL DRAW
Yorkie Ollie is Ireland’s sole hope in Heat 25.
He was denied his chance to contest the Derby last year when picking up an injury in his preparations but he has returned to his best in recent months and faces an ideal draw on the fence. As a result, he heads the market and is certainly respected.
TANK TO ROLL OVER RIVALS
Perhaps the most interesting runner on the entire card is the Paul Hennessy trained Lennies Tank.
There is no doubting his ability but his tendency to steer a wide course really shouldn’t suit the Towcester circuit.
But it is worth noting he ran Cork extremely well last year when landing the valuable Bart Leahy Memorial. He was last seen when narrowly denied in the final of the Easter Cup. From an ideal draw in the stripes, he is chosen to lead home his rivals in Heat 26 but it will be worth noting how he runs the track.
IROKO LAST INTO ACTION
The final Irish trained runner in action will be Ballymac Iroko in the last of the 28 opening round heats. He didn’t trial great, finishing over six lengths behind his kennel companion Ballymac Duffle, although that form did get a boost with the latter broke the track record on Friday.
From an ideal draw in six, Ballymac Iroko will look to turn close before getting the chance to use his power from halfway. It isn’t the strongest heat so don’t be surprised if he adds another victory to the Irish tally.
English Greyhound Derby – Round 1, Night 2
(Irish runners highlighted in BOLD capitals with trainers listed)
Heat 15 (6:20) – 4 to qualify
1 Loxleys Forest
2 Ballymac Kobe
3 ELLO ELLO – Brendan Matthews
4 Teejays Chelms
5 SLIPPERY BRIAN (M) – Graham Holland
6 UNCLE KEITH (W) – Mark Robinson
Heat 16 (6:38) – 4 to qualify
1 Cmon The Brom
2 Brunch Pal
3 BALLYMAC SETANTA – Liam Dowling
4 Heres Ringo
5 Bubbly Hogan (M)
6 Behemoth (W)
Heat 17 (6:58) – 4 to qualify
1 Romeo Arran
2 Droopys Berries
3 Westfield Forno
4 Toddys Tank
5 LENNIES DESIRE (M) – Paul Hennessy
6 CHEAP SANDWICHES (W) – Graham Holland
Heat 18 (7:18)
1 Soapy Suds
2 GAYTIME CLYDE – Graham Holland
3 Zenith Jimbombom
4 Jimmyjimmyjimmy
5 Holding Aero (M)
6 Vacant
Heat 19 (7:38)
1 Kellies Emerald
2 GARFINEY WARRIOR – Graham Holland
3 Droopys Sort
4 Betgoodwin Ben (M)
5 Vacant
6 Droopys Deploy (W)
Heat 20 (7:58)
1 Quill Quids
2 Strike It Skye
3 Droopys Trade
4 HACKNEY CORNER (M) – Pat Buckley
5 Vacant
6 Advantage Rule (W)
Heat 21 (8:18)
1 Mulveys Champ
2 GAYTIME JOACHIM – Graham Holland
3 Goldcash Warrior
4 Cartoonist (M)
5 Vacant
6 Turnthemagicon (W)
Heat 22 (8:38)
1 Optic Pharaoh
2 LOW PROFILE – Graham Holland
3 Chelms Charmer
4 BALLYMAC DENIRO (M) – Liam Dowling
5 Grantstown Cross (M)
6 Alright Twinkle (W)
Heat 23 (8:58) – 4 to qualify
1 Salacres Lincoln
2 Proper Heiress
3 Romeo Ability
4 DOWN TOTHE WIRE (M) – Brendan Matthews
5 Ballymac Axel (M)
6 LENNIES DYNAMIC (W) – Paul Hennessy
Heat 24 (9:18) – 4 to qualify
1 Salacres Amara
2 Ernie Webb Mate
3 Underground Gold
4 Naochra (M)
5 Romeo Tomcat (M)
6 Bluey Bullet (W)
Heat 25 (9:38) – 4 to qualify
1 YORKIE OLLIE – Graham Holland
2 Burrows Charm
3 Carrigoon Milo
4 Rebel Alaska (M)
5 Crossfield Dean (M)
6 Westfield Vicky (W)
Heat 26 (9:54)
1 Vacant
2 Romeo Empire
3 Hardy Bucko
4 Toddys Storm (M)
5 Radical Story (M)
6 LENNIES TANK (W) – Paul Hennessy
Heat 27 (10:14) – 4 to qualify
1 Droopys Script
2 Dereks Legend
3 Droopys Maximus
4 Ballymac Dave (M)
5 Burrows Zeus (M)
6 Deadly Disco (W)
Heat 28 (10:30)
1 Farmway Shady
2 Carrick Fergie
3 The Other Chief
4 Ballintemple Gen (M)
5 Newinn Deejay (M)
6 BALLYMAC IROKO (W) – Liam Dowling