Star Sports & Orchestrate Ltd. English Greyhound Derby Ante-Post

Greyhound Derby ante-post

There is plenty of competitive action this weekend, with very few easy looking heats. It looks the most competitive Derby from top to bottom in a long time with the ante-post market currently sat at 16/1 the field with sponsors Star Sports.

It does look a year where a tilt at a few at nice prices is the way to go, and there are plenty in here that can have a case argued for them. We did a Greyhound Derby A-Z yesterday looking at each and every runner in the field, so there is plenty to get stuck into before the traps open for the first time.

All prices quoted in this piece are from the Derby sponsors, Star Sports. There are six spots open in the final, so we'll hedge our bets with six against the field from a couple of the favourites to some much bigger prices. 

Ballymac Deniro 25/1

One of a few for Liam Dowling that tick the 'could be anything' box. Got no luck in the Kirby when he was knocked over in the opening round but that might just work in his favour here without that hard campaign that a few of them had. Showed raw, brute speed to clock a flying trial around here and could be a superstar in the making. 

Glengar Kane 25/1

Broke the track record at Enniscorthy in an unraced competition in December and has not been seen in race action since. Has trialled brilliantly and although there might be some ring rust there after the lack of race action, he looks to be a potential monster and is in great hands to fulfil that potential.

Soapy Suds 50/1

A leading contender for top bitch in the competition, this test could be absolutely perfect for her. She has already shown the class that she possesses by picking up Bouncing Monarch in a Doncaster contest back in January. Produced a smart first look here which suggests she already likes Towcester more than she did Newcastle. The potential is there for a big run to the latter stages. 

Slick Sentinel 100/1

A semi-finalist last year, although he is a year older, this is the track that has always suited him best. As with last year, he should be able to get his preferred draw for a long way through this competition. There is going to be others with younger legs but few who have the wealth of experience that he has of this track and that can take him deep into the competition once more. 

Brunch Pal 150/1

Has done absolutely nothing wrong since joining the kennel of Dave Lee, winning 10 of his 15 starts. They have included some smart winning times over four bends around Central Park and Hove as well as over six at Romford. Only twice in those 15 starts has he been out of the first three, one at Nottingham without a look and the other when walking out at Central Park when 3/1 against Romeo Tomcat. 

Burrows Charm 200/1

Anyone who has read the open race reports over the last 18 months will know that I have a real soft spot for this lad. The speed over four bends to make it to an East Anglian Derby final but the stamina to set a new track record over 664m at Central Park. He was a BetGoodwin and JR Racing Maiden Derby finalist at this track last spring, producing a 4.03 split and stopping the clock at 28.82 in his semi-final win. Already a Kent Plate finalist. this year, that level of form suggests 200/1 is massively overpriced.