Derby and TV Trophy on same card - and Conneely is Mad for it!

Barking Mad Betting will be live from Towcester

TOWCESTER on Saturday stages one of the best meetings of the year.

Third round night of the Star Sports & Orchestrate Ltd. English Greyhound Derby is always a key night with places up for grabs in next week's quarter-finals of the £125,000 Classic.

However, this year is different - and extra special with the final of the Barking Mad Betting TV Trophy also on the card.

The marathon showpiece, worth £12,500 to the winner, is one of the sport's most famous races with a great history - and Mongys Wild is hot favourite to retain his title after a record-breaking win last year.

That track record is now the property of Droopys Rated after Paul Young's young stayer set new figures for the 942m trip in last week's heats in winning his heat to initiate a heat double for Team Young after Innfield Fifi's later success. Mongys Wild also won his heat but Mark Wallis's class act and multiple big-race winner almost tipped over exiting the traps and lost a lot of ground before coming through to win.

Either way, it might not be straightforward for the favourite and Ryan Conneely, whose YouTube channel Barking Mad Betting is backing the Category One eight-bend contest, says that adds to the anticipation.

"I’m buzzing to be involved in what has become the most talked about race of the year," he said. "Going into the heats everyone believed Mongys Wild would win comfortably but now we have a  genuine race on our hands and nobody seems certain of what is going to happen. There are so many questions to think about "Will Mongys Wild trap like last week? And if he traps better where will he turn?

How far will Bubbly Evie lead?

"Can Droopys Rated get a clear run from trap six?

"And the one question I think is hardest to answer, and will likely lead this to being an absolute thriller, is . . .

"If Mongys hits the front, will Rated be able to reel him in late?

"It’s a fascinating race and full credit to all of the finalists!

"Innfield Fifi will be staying on strong and can be in the mix off the last bend. Frankton Ivy ran the race of her life to qualify and connections are delighted with their own-bred star being in this line-up! Remember Betty has the early to be at the front and, if she is, she will be hard to pass.

"The best place to watch the race is at Towcester Racecourse but if you can’t make it then Barking Mad Betting will be going live on YouTube from 6.45pm-9.45pm.

"I cannot wait!"