Joe Conneely's 2025 Star Sports/TRC English Derby final prediction

Joe's Star Sports/TRC Derby final tips

Well we are finally here. The final six go to traps in what has been a memorable Star Sports / TRC English Greyhound Derby from minute one and we have an absolute belting final to look forward to.

In trap one we have Droopys Plunge for Patrick Janssens who was quickly backed at big prices when he come out the drum first on Monday at the Derby Lunch. He has shown a maturity we haven’t seen in the past to make it to this stage and rule him out at your peril from a very favourable draw. His strong running style will give him a big chance if things do not go to plan for the others.

Trap two is the youngest in the field, Sole Mio. Runner up in the Con & Anne Kirby Memorial final, he has gone from strength to strength for Peter Cronin showing brute early speed when he gets going. He will move off slightly from trap two but if he starts well he will clear the two either side of him to give himself every chance.

The defending champion De Lahdedah is back to try and take his title home to Ireland for Liam Dowling from trap three. On paper, he looks the worse drawn dog in the race being drawn immediately outside Sole Mio but this dog has shown unbelievable guts, determination and track craft to make it here again with arguably his best run in the competition last Saturday catching Sole Mio.

Bombay Pat runs from trap four, the first of three wide seeds all trained by the master Graham Holland. He has been frustrating to follow as of late with some tardy starts but this dog has all the pace in the world when doing it right as he showed in round two when clocking 28.53 off the front. He needs to come away to give himself the best chance but his price of 20/1 is way too big for a dog of his capabilities.

Trap five is one of the most consistent greyhounds we have seen for many years in Cheap Sandwiches. He is a consistent trapper with smart early pace and when able to dictate matters he is never for catching. However, he has found himself behind Bockos Diamond in the Irish Derby final in November when second and also in this competition finishing second to his kennel mate in the third round and semi-final. If Bockos Diamond was to slightly miss the break on his outside and Cheap Sandwiches comes away running he will take some stopping.

The fastest greyhound on the planet according to plenty is Bockos Diamond who goes from trap six. His devastating early pace and brute speed from the second to the third bend are there for everyone to see. However, if there has been an Achilles' heel at Towcester it is his trapping that has been hit and miss. If he gets it right at the boxes he will be extremely difficult to beat but this trip is testing him coming home so he needs to be out in front.

The race entirely depends on what Bockos Diamond does at lid rise and with that in mind you have to be with him and expect Graham Holland to get him out worse case level where he would lead and win. If he doesn’t start then it brings Cheap Sandwiches into the race who thoroughly deserves a big race success. 

De Lahdedah needs to avoid Sole Mio to give himself the best chance possible and Sole Mio has one way of winning and that is trapping well being in front of the early pace wide runners at the bend and holding on. Droopys Plunge has a live outsiders chance from a very good draw so would not put anyone off having a small each-way play on him and Bombay Pat needs the break of his life to show us how good he is and give himself a chance.

1st - Bockos Diamond
2nd - Cheap Sandwiches
3rd - Droopys Plunge

Whatever happens it truly is one of the best Greyhound Derby finals we have had for a long time so may the best dog win and all the very best to all six sets of connections!!!