We're off and running in the Star Sports/TRC English Greyhound Derby and Friday night sees another ten heats of the £175,000 Classic.
Here's my look at heats 11 to 20 - with 11 more heats to follow on Saturday:
Heat 11 (18.35): If 2023 was a good year for Queen Joni (Produce Stakes, British Bred Derby), 2024 has been even better (Kent Plate, Brighton Belle) and Liz McNair's tough-as-teak sort can power to another win. Up-in-trip Hopes Hurricane (Pat Buckley) will look to make all, while huge respect to another Irish star Clonbrien Treaty (Graham Holland), the Easter Cup champion. What a way to start the night - just a great heat.
Sel: Queen Joni
Heat 12 (18.51): It's great to see Liam Dowling's evergreen Ballymac Finn back at Towcester - we know he loves the place. However, it's a baptism of fire this time for the Irish star as the McNairs' ante-post favourite King Memphis goes here and his blistering burst of pace surely seals the day. That head-to-head with Swords Rex a fortnight ago stands up well and Memphis can lay claim to outright honours in the best possible way.
Sel: King Memphis
Heat 13 (19.10): Maxine Locke has a terrific kennel just now and Droopys Pivotel is an exciting and precocious sort representing the Romford trainer here. He gave the track record a shake at Hove recently and, just fourth time up in this first-round Derby heat, has real scope for improvement still. Conversely, Graham Holland's Bockos Crystal has been there, seen it, done it and looks well pitched towards the inside here.
Sel: Droopys Pivotel
Heat 14 (19.29): With Queen Georgia staying at Sheffield where she lines up in Sunday's Time Greyhound Nutrition 3 Steps To Victory Final, Droopys Supply (Patrick Janssens) could make hay and go clear with space inside now. However, if close enough, Burj Khalifa (Diane Henry) is definitely good enough as a strong-running sort who first came to prominence for Brendan Matthews in the Derby last year and runs Towcester really well.
Sel: Burj Khalifa
Heat 15 (19.47): Graham Holland is looking to make it three English Derbys in a row - a feat only matched by Nick Savva - and brings a strong team to Towcester. The expectation here is that Romeo Steel takes some holding after a pillar-to-post trial stakes success. A repeat from the same trap one draw looks on the cards. Compatriot Ballymac Dapper (Liam Dowling) is bred to be a champion and has trialled in well.
Sel: Romeo Steel
Heat 16 (20.05): A greyhound who barely needs an introduction, Swords Rex represents the all-powerful Graham Holland team and is tough to oppose. His record at Towcester is second to none - well, perhaps behind Gaytime Nemo, his conqueror in the final last year. A trial stakes defeat of King Memphis was top drawer. Cochise (Richard Rees) finishes fast and reached the final last year. Druids All Go (Patrick Janssens) has lots of speed.
Sel: Swords Rex
Heat 17 (20.22): Two years ago, Mr Chelm nearly won the England Derby! Previously known as Kildare, he was edged out by Romeo Magico but remains a force to be reckoned with. Peter Cronin's classy sort needs to be sharp early to hold off the more than capable Wrighty (John Mullins) and the pair could produce an exciting buckle. A lead looks all-important and a pitch inside his chief rival could help the white-jacketed runner.
Sel: Mr Chelm
Heat 18 (20.40): Ballymac Patriot's withdrawal has opened this up. Antigua Hawk (Pat Buckley) boasts smart Irish form and is respected, as is Savva Roberts' recent intake Clonroosk Sydney, who has trialled in well and has plenty of class, too. However, Hawkfield Abbie catches the eye for John McGee. She completely missed the break behind Clonbrien Treaty in a trial stakes - but look where she was after the line.
Sel: Hawkfield Abbie
Heat 19 (20.57): The draw looks interesting for Faypoint Susie and might prove a help rather than a hindrance. Expect her to move off but a turn of early pace from Graham Holland's Cork Oaks runner-up could take her clear, as has been the case in back-to-back Towcester trial stakes wins. Kennelmate Newinn Port looks a clear danger after himself landing a Towcester brace, especially if the red jacket gets held up at all.
Sel: Faypoint Susie
Heat 20 (21.15): Enter the stage the defending champion Gaytime Nemo. Graham Holland's star will hope to save the best for last on this Friday night session and showed enough in a narrow trial stakes defeat last month to Aero Convey that he retains plenty of ability a year on. Bettys Jack will look to take off early doors, boasting plenty of speed. Kevin Boon's dog might be the one the champion needs to pick up here.
Sel: Gaytime Nemo
