Seven chances left for a puppy winner of the Star Sports/TRC English Greyhound Derby

Although there are strictly 10 puppies at present in the second round of the Star Sports/TRC English Greyhound Derby, three of those are June whelps so we have a list of seven who could lift the Derby crown as a pup.

The most recent puppy to win the Greyhound Derby was Salad Dodger in 2004, the June 2002 whelp won the Derby on May 31, a single day before he lost his puppy status. 

July 23 whelps

Three July whelps remain, Arthur Job, Droopys Aladdin and Droopys Trade. 

Arthur Job - 125/1

Strong-runner produced a huge run in the opening round, perhaps costing himself the win by moving off at the second bend. He has been drawn in a seriously deep second round heat that includes Proper Heiress and Romeo Tomcat who have already shown they can go sub 28.70.

Droopys Aladdin - 33/1

The best chance of the pups according to the prices from sponsors Star Sports. He was one of the stories of the first round, out trapping Proper Heiress and having enough to keep him at bay throughout the contest. His early pace is a potent weapon.

Droopys Trade - 50/1

Winner of his heat, holding off Arthur Job, he showed plenty of consistency on his way to the final of the BresBet Gymcrack. Being able to keep that level of form going could see him end up as the top pup.

August 23 whelps

There are four August born pups still in the competition. They are Ballymac Pebb, Ballymac Tibet, Droopys Heiress and Flashing Fender.

Ballymac Pebb - 50/1

One of the more interesting winners of the first round, Pebb showed excellent trackcraft for one of his age to time his run to perfection. He had run in just three races in Ireland prior to being sent over to Towcester, all of them sprints. 

Ballymac Tibet - 66/1

Tibet was arguably the Liam Dowling runner with the weakest form coming in but that was only from five starts so it would be harsh to judge him on that. He was a solid runner-up in his opening heat but is another to take on Proper Heiress in round two.

Droopys Heiress - 150/1

The only bitch from the puppies in with a chance of winning. She clearly has an engine but looked like a typical puppy in her heat so is going to need to grow up fast if she is to progress a long way.  

Flashing Fender - 100/1

28/1 for his heat but he massively outran those odds to qualify behind Sole Mio and March On Freddie. He has found himself in another hot heat in the second round but was a finalist in the Juvenile Classic at Tralee so he was underestimated last week.