Across the next five weeks - starting this week with a split first round on Thursday, Friday and Saturday - the fastest canine talent on both sides of the Irish Sea will strut their stuff over 500m at Towcester, which stages the world's most famous greyhound competition for the sixth time this year.
From London's White City (1927-84) - and Harringay in 1940 - through to the Wimbledon years (1985-2016) and more recently at Towcester (2017-18), Nottingham (2019-20) and back to Towcester (from 2021), the English Greyhound Derby has a rich tradition and an impressive roll of honour.
Time will tell whether there is a Mick the Miller, Patricias Hope, Some Picture, Rapid Ranger or Westmead Hawk among the original 193-strong entry - a number of withdrawals have since taken that number down - but punters and enthusiasts alike will have more idea after this week.
Ten heats take place on Thursday, ten on Friday and 11 on Saturday with a mix of first-three and first-four heats setting up a 96-runner second round next week.
So who takes down the £175,000 prize? That's the six million dollar question - and all the major bookmakers are offering ante-post prices on the Classic with heat prices and various specials - leading Irish-trained runner, top bitch, best sectional etc.
A larger-than-usual Irish entry is the result of a later staging of the Irish Derby this year due to renovations at Shelbourne Park and Towcester has definitely gained in that respect, but it means the Irish will again make it difficult for the home challenge as the visitors look to defend a recent impressive record.
Irish-trained runners have won four of the last five Derbys, with Co. Tipperary-based Englishman Graham Holland winning the last two runnings with Romeo Magico (2022) and Gaytime Nemo last year - and the latter is back to defend this crown.
As ever, the overall entry oozes class with big-race winners and finalists aplenty - and in terms of the Irish entry it's great to see Pat Buckley back with runners along with the likes of regular visitors Peter Cronin, Liam Dowling, Paul Hennessy, Graham Holland and Brendan Matthews. John 'Ginger' McGee also travels, as does Brendan Maunsell.
However, the home guard is the strongest it has been in recent years. Liz McNair's team is ultra-powerful, while the likes of Derby-winning trainers Kevin Hutton, Patrick Janssens and Mark Wallis, now a 14-time champion trainer and two-time English Derby winner, are back looking to create history again with live chances.
So, my four against the field are:
Barntick Bear (Patrick Janssens): A strong-running sort who caught the eye during the Monmore Puppy Derby. Looks tailor-made for Towcester and is well drawn in his heat.
De Lahdedah (Liam Dowling): Burst onto the scene as a youngster with some electrifying runs. More experienced now, the back-straight at Towcester should play to his strengths.
King Memphis (Liz McNair): Blisteringly fast and, along with Queen Joni, gives his trainer a huge hand. Has the pace and track know-how to overcome any draw. Fingers crossed!
Rioja Joey (Kevin Hutton): Great to see him back. A dark horse last year until first-round disappointment, Joey boasts exceptional pace and could improve as the event unfolds.
2024 Star Sports/TRC English Greyhound Derby
First round: May 23, May 24, May 25
Second round: May 31, June 1
Third round: June 8
Quarter-finals: June 15
Semi-finals: June 22
Final: June 29
Prize-money
1st £175,000
2nd £25,000
3rd £12,500
4th £10,000
5th £7,500
6th £5,000
Winning breeder £4,000
Winning kennelhands £1,000
BGBF British-bred bonus £2,000 (for British-bred greyhound who progresses furthest)
Further info: https://towcester-racecourse.co.uk/
