Joe Conneely's ante-post Star Sports/TRC Greyhound Derby portfolio

We have asked Joe Conneely to open up his private portfolio of bets on the Star Sports/TRC English Greyhound Derby. Those of us in the 'office' know that he has been chipping away for months so - at the risk of trumpet emojis flooding the X feed - here we go...

Joe's Greyhound Derby ante-post bets

As well as the two we released yesterday (Cheap Sandwiches & Romeo Empire) I have another eight ante post selections in the bag at a mixture of prices.

I managed to take 28/1 about Proper Heiress before the Ladbrokes Winter Derby final at Monmore at the end of February with the reasoning being if he managed to do what he did in that final the price would collapse so we are sitting on a 28/1 ticket about Proper Heiress.

One of last years finalists Boylesports Bob is another who I have played at 50/1. I’m not sure Boylesports Bob can win the Derby but 12.5/1 to make the final seems a fair enough price on a dog who loves the track and his strong running style will always give him a chance of finishing in the top three.

Next is Jaytee Craze who was added to the team late at 66/1. Another strong running type for Paul Hennessy who can continue to qualify. He should find himself safely into round two then it’s about getting good draws and a bit of luck along the way but 66/1 was too big.

Now we get to the three figure prices and first up at 100/1 is Ballymac Axel. A dog who seems to be fairly well fancied heading into this competition he really caught the eye when competing in the Con & Anne Kirby Memorial after an impressive first round victory. He is trained by Maxine Locke who sends her strongest team yet to Towcester and this improving dog can go deep.

Clona Ice is next at 100/1 purely on the fact he could be absolutely anything for Pat Buckley and looks another strong running wide runner who can continue to quality. Only an October 2023 puppy the lack of experience may catch him out but his 100/1 price could look silly after a couple of round so wanted to get a bit of that price about Clona Ice.

Another of last year's finalists now and that is Sunnyside Broxi also at 100/1. Formally known as Ballymac Gizmo, Sunnyside Broxie was a typical Liam Dowling Derby dog last year who just went about his business quietly qualifying in behind and making it to the final. Now trained by Ted Soppit I can see similar to last year with him dropping back down in trip having been running over six bends and he can continue to qualify catching tired dogs for second and third.

Two now at 150/1 and the first is Gary The Arb. He has been laid out for this competition following his runner-up spot to Proper Heiress at Monmore in the Winter Derby Final and has trialled extremely well at Hove in preparation for this. 150/1 was too big for a brilliant competition dog who loves the track having won the Greyhound Traders Final on Derby Finals night last year so 150/1 looked a more than fair price for Gary The Arb.

Finally we have played Ballymac Rapid at 150/1 for Liam Dowling. He is in an extremely tough heat so just want him to qualify in the first three spots in round one but he looks one of Liam’s to stay on the right side of who has trialled extremely well at Towcester. He is only an August 2023 and a handful of races but his form is solid so at 150/1 on a pup with an exciting future we had to play.


Cheap Sandwiches 22/1
Proper Heiress 28/1
Boylesports Bob 50/1
Jaytee Craze 66/1
Romeo Empire 66/1
Ballymac Axel 100/1
Clona Ice 100/1
Sunnyside Broxi 100/1
Ballymac Rapid 150/1
Gary The Arb 150/1