Just four weeks until trial stakes start for the Derby

Countdown to the Derby is on at Towcester

Towcester will begin the countdown to the Star Sports & Orchestrate English Greyhound Derby with the first in a series of trial stakes from March 15.

The Classic begins on Thursday, April 30, and tickets for ALL rounds, including the final on Saturday, June 6, are now available from Towcester Racecourse via the track’s website towcester-racecourse.co.uk.

Entries for the 500m Classic, which this year has a first prize of £125,000, close on Monday, April 20, with the draw to take place at Towcester Racecourse at 1pm on Friday, April 24.

The first round will be staged across three nights - Thursday, Friday and Saturday (April 30 to May 2) - with the second round the following week across two nights (Friday May 8 and Saturday May 9).

Third round night is Saturday, May 16, with the quarter-finals on Saturday, May 23, the semis on Saturday, May 30, and the final of the world’s greatest greyhound race on Saturday, June 6.

Six weeks of Star Sports & Orchestrate English Greyhound Derby Trial Stakes will run every Sunday from March 15 to April 19.

Towcester has said that trials will be accommodated before racing Tuesday to Sunday. Subject to demand, Monday sessions may also take place.

Star Sports & Orchestrate English Greyhound Derby - race dates

First round: April 30-May 2

Second round: May 8-9

Third round: May 16

Quarter-finals: May 23

Semi-finals: May 30

Final: June 6

Star Sports & Orchestrate English Greyhound Derby - draw dates

Entries Close: Mon 20 Apr, 7pm

First Round Draw: Fri 24 Apr, 1pm, Towcester 

Second Round Draw: Sun 03 May, 11am, Towcester  

Third Round Draw: Sun 10 May, 11am, Towcester 

Quarter Final Draw, Sat 16 May, after racing

Semi Final Draw, Sat 23 May, after racing

Final draw - Derby Lunch, Mon 01 June

*Seeding changes can be made up to and including the third round.

*Guarding will take place up to and including the second round.