The first of three nights of high-octane canine action takes place at Towcester on Thursday night as the first batch of first-round heats of the Star Sports/TRC English Greyhound Derby (500m) will have UK and Irish greyhound racing fans purring.
The talking now stops and the race to succeed last year's winner Gaytime Nemo is the aim of the 180-plus runners heading to traps on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Towcester is staging the famous race for the sixth time and the UK takes a narrow advantage - three wins versus two - over Ireland in terms of Derbys at the Northamptonshire venue, albeit Irish-based runners have won the last two!
So, here's my look at the first ten heats - with ten to follow on Friday and 11 on Saturday:
Heat one (18.39): Narrow preference is for Mark Wallis's Newinn Syd, the Eclipse champion. He takes on Paul Hennessy's Towcester Maiden Derby victor Jaytee Etienne in a real UK v Ireland clash. Will the outcome of this head-to-head set the tone? A fast start is needed, but potentially back-running one of the leading home challengers will not be easy here.
Sel: Newinn Syd
Heat two (18.56): Another for Team Wallis? Crafty Shivoo didn't hit her straps in the Brighton Belle behind Queen Joni but got closer to that rival a week later. Her times at Towcester are exemplary as the Empress Stakes winner. The withdrawal of Easter Cup finalist Undulation clears the way for the speed of Patrick Browne's Brinkleys Ginger early.
Sel: Crafty Shivoo
Heat three (19.14): Patrick Janssens looks to have a good team this year and Edwards might always be pushing for the victory here. He's returned with smart trials, albeit a sharp start is required to tack across to the rails but a handy position looks on. Ex-Irish star Antigua Kestrel looks a nice arrival into Kevin Hutton's kennel and must be respected.
Sel: Edwards
Heat four (19.31): One of the most popular racers in training, John Mullins' Signet Goofy eyes another Towcester win. The Blue Riband hero over C&D in January, this is the track he first came to real prominence, stepping up from sprinter to Derby semi-finalist in 2022. Whyaye Man, Mark Wallis's reigning Derby Plate winner, also enjoys Towcester.
Sel: Signet Goofy
Heat five (19.51): Kevin Boon reached the Derby final with Murrys Act a few years back so knows the time of day and could enjoy a decent campaign with ex-Irish Bockos Thunder. A semi-finalist in the KAB Maiden Derby, a recent 29.20sec trial catches the eye and he has first-run potential over the strong-running Gary The Arb of Belinda Green's.
Sel: Signet Goofy
Heat six (20.09): Irish Derby winner The Other Kobe is one of the star entries in this year's English Derby. Now with Graham Holland, he gets the vote over kennelmate Faypoint Harvey, the Juvenile Championship winner, albeit both have recorded sub-29 seconds runs for the 500m at Towcester and could both go deep in the competition.
Sel: The Other Kobe
Heat seven (20.26): One of the highest profile runners in the Derby after his record purchase at the sales, Scaglietti can shine for Ricky Holloway. The draw inside can help this Irish Derby quarter-finalist who moved well in a recent 29.19sec trial. Patrick Janssens' Droopys Doughnut has speed to burn and is an obvious danger.
Sel: Scaglietti
Heat eight (20.43): An Irish Derby semi-finalist last year, Liam Dowling's De Lahdedah was a hugely precocious performer who took the breath away with some of his early performances. Last seen in the Easter Cup, he arrives at Towcester fresh and ready to go. Richard Rees's Churchfield Syd has great speed and will look to cut loose outside.
Sel: De Lahdedah
Heat nine (21.01): With his blistering early pace, Liz McNair's King Capaldi could get away and might not be pegged back here. For that to happen, however, a smash break is needed to allow this tight railer to tack across from a midfield slot. Cooliogold (Maxine Locke) and powerhouse performer Aayamza Sydney (John Mullins) are live threats.
Sel: King Capaldi
Heat ten (21.18): The final heat of the night sees Patrick Janssens hold a strong hand with Puppy Classic winner Slick Sabo and Miracle, with preference for the latter given his better early pace and leadability claims. Ireland's Singalong Dolly (Pat Buckley) made the final of the Shelbourne 600 and will not be stopping inside from a plum pitch.
Sel: Miracle
