Droopys Plunge facing a race against time to be fit for the Derby
Reigning champion Droopys Plunge is facing a race against time to make it back to Towcester to defend his Star Sports and Orchestrate English Greyhound Derby crown.
Droopys Plunge setback makes him unlikely to defend his crown
Droopys Plunge is a huge doubt for his defence of the Star Sports & Orchestrate English Greyhound Derby.
A setback last month for the Classic champion has seen Patrick Janssens face a race against time to get his champion ready for Towcester, and the trainer revealed on Wednesday that his second English Derby winner might not make the line-up this time round.
"He's walking okay, but it's an earlier Derby this year and I'm not sure we can get him fit enough to take his chance in the Derby in the time we've got," said Janssens in an interview during a pilot for a new greyhound show on Sky Sports Racing.
"He's well in himself and, while I'm not completely ruling it out, you'd have to say it's unlikely at this stage."
The Star Sports & Orchestrate English Greyhound Derby begins with the first of three nights of first round action on Thursday, April 30. The £125,000 final takes place on Saturday, June 6.
Latest betting on the 2026 Star Sports & Orchestrate Greyhound Derby from the sponsors: 14 Ballymac Setanta, Magical Luka, 16 Bockos Diamond, Proper Heiress, 18 Cheap Sandwiches, Romeo Tomcat, 20 Droopys Kathleen, 22 bar.
