AFTER six weeks of high-octane action for what has been a canine Classic, the 2024 Star Sports/TRC English Greyhound Derby Final is down for decision tonight - and two of our four ante-post picks are through. And they dominate the market.

But first let's set the scene.

Towcester has played a blinder this year. The racing has been top notch, the performances of a number of runners exceptional - note the fast times - and the perennial battle between England and Ireland has been keenly and respectively fought.

Coming into the 190-plus runner event, the Irish had the stronger hand overall. A boosted Irish entry this year due to the renovations at Shelbourne Park and delayed Irish Derby had many of the half-empty brigade here anticipating a drubbing. Far from it.

Ireland might have won the last two runnings with Romeo Magico and Gaytime Nemo, albeit they were trained by an Englishman in Graham Holland!

Granted we claimed victories for Seamus Cahill (Astute Missile) and Patrick Janssens (Thorn Falcon) as ours, too - not for Ireland or Belgium - but hey. And don't let's start on a Scottish husband and wife team behind the hot favourite tonight!

So to this year's final - and we have the perfect mix.

Three English-trained runners - Whyaye Man (Mark Wallis), King Memphis (Liz McNair) and Churchfield Syd (Richard Rees) - against three Irish-trained runners in Ballymac Gizmo and De Lahdedah (both Liam Dowling) and Boylesports Bob (Paul Hennessy).

And what a race we have in prospect, so many ifs and buts. You can truly make a case of each and every runner, from the guts and determination of well-drawn outsider Whyaye Man to the precocious talent of Ballymac Gizmo, the youngest finalist.

Churchfield Syd has been flying to the bend and will again look to set the tempo, while our ante-post pick King Memphis has largely been foot-perfect right from the word go having equalled the track record in the first round. He will also look to make all.

Boylesports Bob is the fastest from the last bend to the line and if surely good enough if close enough, while De Lahdedah, also one of our long-range picks, has proved he can handle a midfield pitch - and his trainer is surely on the verge of English Derby glory.

However, all said and done, it is King Memphis (9.15) who gets the vote to wear the biggest crown tonight and realise an English Derby dream for the McNairs stretching back to their first Derby finalist Caulry Fast Trap back in 2007 at Wimbledon.

He is yet to really time the start to perfection - what better night to do that? - but that unreal pace to the bend will be tough for these to hold if he comes away level, with the midfield slot actually to his advantage of this dead railer on this occasion.

The make-up of the race surely could not have been chosen better for King Memphis, albeit a smash break from any of his rivals makes it game on - even Boylesports Bob turned in a pitch on quarter-final night and we know how strong he is.

The quality of the undercard is strong - and right from the start given the appearance of Droopys Clue (6.01) in the opening 500m contest.

He is the joint-track record holder after all and can set the tone of the night by producing a powerful display to raise the roof for Seamus Cahill and the team.

Barntick Bear (6.51) is so interesting for Patrick Janssens over 712m.

Stepping up massively in trip, this impressive first-round Derby winner is a class act and could go well clear, albeit with the likes of Derby semi-finalist Ballymac Slick and Coronation Cup runner-up Cooladerry Dust as rivals no chickens will be counted!

Savana Top Cat (7.47) might be the answer - again - to the greyhoundtrader.com Stakes Final, although a fast start is required for Chris Hamblin's dog. There is pace and power inside but his form at Towcester is always top notch.

Mark Wallis's Crafty Shivoo (8.05) and Liz McNair's Queen Joni (8.22) are our two top bitches and can both land finals in the Bombay Bitches Trophy and Townview Kennels Derby Plate.

A tough-looking draw can be overcome by Patrick Janssens' Romeo Command (9.39) in the BGBF TruFrame Champion Stakes Final. He's a class act, as is the Wallis-trained Ballymac Taylor (9.55) who should take down the closing Fox Sports Surfacing Dorando Marathon.

Towcester Tips

Droopys Clue (6.01)

Barntick Bear (6.51)

Savana Top Cat (7.47)

Crafty Shivoo (8.05) 

Queen Joni (8.22)

King Memphis (9.15)

Romeo Command (9.39) 

Ballymac Taylor (9.55)