Another week of Derby clues in Towcester trials

2025 Star Sports English Greyhound Derby trials

Before we look over the important Derby trials from the last week, Towcester has announced that they will host a stand-alone Derby trial session on Monday, April 28. With entires closing next week, this is the perfect opportunity to give potential Derby dogs a look around ahead of making an entry. 

All of the Derby trial sessions can be watched live on Towcester's YouTube channel. 

Tuesday, April 15

An interesting sprint session this time last week with Maxine Locke getting a look into some of her Derby team. A string of times in the 15.80s read well over that distance, with a number of them stepping up to 500m for another look this afternoon after racing. 

Thursday, April 17

Pat Godfrey's pair went fastest on Thursday with Arthur Job taking the top spot during the session. A PGR Puppy Derby finalist and BresBet Gymcrack semi-finalist, he looks just the type who will relish the test that comes with coping with the long run to the pickup each round of a Derby. 

Friday, April 18

A couple of solid trials on Friday from the Phil Milner-trained pair Keefill Maverick and Keefill Rocky. Both were finalists in the British Bred Derby at Sheffield in December with the latter emerging as the champion. Vixons Filofax was runner-up to Gary The Arb in the Greyhound Trader Stakes on Derby final night last year and moved well enough in his look around. 

Saturday, April 19

Nothing flashy on the clock from the English Puppy Derby winner Bombay Birch in a trial but he has had very limited action since winning that Cat One final back in November and is sure to come on for the run. Teejays Chelms was a big money purchase at the recent Towcester sales, rattling round in a sprint trial to a very smart time. 

Le Pur Sang finished behind eventual winner Headford Dane in both heats and semis of the PGR Puppy Derby at Monmore. He has huge early pace, though 500m at Towcester will test him.

Sunday, April 20

Sunday's race action at Towcester was exceptional but those who were there early will have listened to the trial results whilst watching the fascinating discussion between Harry Findlay and Gary Wiltshire. The four trials on the track were all smart with Jaytee Craze going quickest of them. That was even more eye-catching given that he won the 750y contest on Winter Racing Festival night.

Monday, April 21

Tiffield Tarquin is a strong runner over Towceter's 500m distance. A 28.83 winner in March, he did that despite not hitting the front until the third bend. He got not luck early in the ARC Laurels semis after being quickest in the opening round. Antigua Kestrel exited the Laurels at the same stage, he was an Eclipse finalist last year, just going fastest in the 500m trials. 

Over the sprint trip the consistent Droopys Extragud showed up well although he just had to give best in terms of time to Antigua Mario.