Star Sports & Orchestrate Ltd. English Greyhound Derby Heats 15-28

Saturday's Tips

After the excitement of night one, we are only halfway through the opening round of the 2026 Star Sports & Orchestrate Ltd English Greyhound Derby with another 14 heats to go through for this evening. Seven of our top picks finished on top from the 14 heats last night.

Heat 15 - 6.20 

Slippery Brian has been impressive in his two trial stake wins around Towcester, and he can get it right again to kick off the competition itself with another win. It was no more than a moderate trial for Ello Ello compared to his Irish form on his first look at Towcester but a 28.03 at Limerick shows just how talented he is and that makes him the main danger to the Graham Holland-trained runner. 

5-3-2

Heat 16 - 6.38  

The second heat of the night sees the UK debut of one of the most exciting dogs in training, Ballymac Setanta. He got to the final of the Kirby recently, with connections taking the decision not to give him a trial around here to try and freshen him up. As a result, if there is a time to take him on, it is probably now in the opening round and in Brunch Pal, he has a very smart type on his inside. Bubbly Hogan is a decent type as well and can qualify.

2-3-5

Heat 17 - 6.58  

This is a superb clash in prospect as track record holder Lennies Desire takes on 2025 Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby winner Cheap Sandwiches. The former looked well in need of the return around here when all over the place on his first run back but at the same time, Cheap Sandwiches didn't exactly light the track up in a trial and will be brought along steadily through the competition. Droopys Berries is no back number to get involved for Kevin Hutton.

5-6-2

Heat 18 - 7.18  

This is an open event with all of the five all holding a strong chance of coming home in front. A draw right on the inside for the strong-running Soapy Suds could be the right position for her to get her head in front. She has some very smart form to her credit already, including a win over Bouncing Monarch. It would be no surprise to see any of the others getting through as well with Zenith Jimbombom and Gaytime Clyde narrowly preferred. 

1-3-2

Heat 19 - 7.38 

Garfiney Warrior will need to trap a little better than he has in either his trial or trial stake but that is entirely possible as he hasn't had that many opportunities. He is a strong runner over this trip so if he happened to go around in front, he would be very hard to contain. Droopys Deploy was an Irish Derby finalist last year which entitles him to plenty of respect and Droopys Sort is a decent type for all that he is lacking a look.

2-6-3

Heat 20 - 7.58 

There has been plenty of ante-post support for Hackney Corner and he can justify that with a win in his heat. It is not all going to be plain sailing for him by any stretch as he has some smart types inside of him in Droopys Trade and Strike It Skye. The former made the final of the Laurels recently and the latter the decider of the Brighton Belle which means both are deserving of plenty of respect. 

4-2-3

Heat 21 - 8.18 

There is plenty of early pace to the bend here so the trapping is going to be all important. Goldcash Warrior has looked a very smart runner so far in his career, beaten a length by Slippery Brian in his trial stake here after an excellent 28.65 trial. Slippery Brian is trained by Graham Holland as is main danger Gaytime Joachim which is going to make the betting an interesting watch. Cartoonist is better known as a stayer but might well be capable of filling out the frame.

3-2-4

Heat 22 - 8.38 

After a 28.43 trial, Ballymac Deniro is one of the most anticipated runners in the Derby. He was an impressive winner of the Juvenile Classic at Tralee but had absolutely no luck in the opening round of the Kirby when getting knocked over. That could be a blessing in disguise with him coming in with a lighter campaign than some. Low Profile was a spectacular 28.50 trial stake winner and will be no pushover in what should be a super battle.

4-2-6

Heat 23 - 8.58 

There was a breathtaking sectional from Lennies Dynamic in a trial stake but he got a little lost around the opening couple of bends, forfeiting a huge amount of ground before flying home. With that experience under his belt, a repeat of a 3,75 split will see him around in front and given his stamina, he might not be coming back. Mark Wallis seemed at pains to keep Proper Heiress with as light a campaign as possible this year but that could leave him a touch short for the opening round. He and Romeo Ability can qualify.

6-2-3

Heat 24 - 9.18 

Another of the exciting clashes here will see Ladbrokes Puppy Derby champion Underground Gold taking on Romeo Tomcat. The trial times of the former are probably best taken with a pinch of salt as a few of the trial sessions took place on unsuitably slow ground. He is still a super prospect in the making with burning speed but this is a stiffer track than Monmore and one where Romeo Tomcat has already shown some top form. He might just prove too strong for Paul Young's runner late on.

5-3-4

Heat 25 - 9.38 

An injury cost Yorkie Ollie a crack at this race last year when he was flying around in trial stakes. He is back but a year older and his sprint trial wasn't as good as perhaps would have been expected. In Burrows Charm, he faces a rival who is just as capable over four and six bends, is a recent Kent Plate finalist but has also made a Cat One decider over this track and trip. Rebel Alaska is a smart type when getting space and can get involved. 

2-4-1

Heat 26 - 9.54 

Runner-up in the Easter Cup when last in race action, Lennies Tank can take off around the outside. His win in the second round of that competition was spectacular, clocking 29.37 over Shelbourne's 550y distance. Romeo Empire showed in the BGBF British Bred Stakes that he is still more than capable of producing big runs over a stiff four bends and he will have a perfect second hare to chase down in the selection. 

6-2-5

Heat 27 - 10.14 

There could be a bit of a surprise in Heat 27 in the form of Ballymac Dave. He kept warm company in Ireland and got off to a decent enough start in England for Esther Driver. 480m around Dunstall just looked a little sharp for him, so this is going to suit better and he will have a great target on his outside in Burrows Zeus. Jason Heath's runner is a class act but the lack of a four-bend look since November is a concern. This is a race which could change complexion massively from the final bend with Deadly Disco and Dereks Legend both running on strongly. 

4-6-2

Heat 28 - 10.30 

The Other Chief could be the way to go to round out the heats. When he gets things right, he is the type who could go a long way in this competition, but he is going to need a little bit of luck as he can do things wrong. There is going to be better to come around here from Ballymac Iroko and he is without a question the main danger with Carrick Fergie potentially landing a blow for the veteran brigade and making the frame. 

3-6-2