Star Sports & Orchestrate Ltd. English Greyhound Derby Third Round - Spotlights and Tips

Derby 3rd round tips

The Star Sports & Orchestrate Ltd. English Greyhound Derby reaches the third round stage tonight - marking the first time we can guarantee the 2026 champion will be in action!

Heat 1 - 6.58

Lennies Eddie was in front of Zenith Jimbombom when they met from identical draws in a trial stake in mid-April and that form can be confirmed by the Paul Hennessy-trained runner. He has a vacant trap on his inside which can help him take control of the rails early and do enough to see off his kennelmate Lennies Tank. It's hard to pick a third in here but the move to middle might just see an improved performance from Getup The Boy who we are yet to see the best of at Towcester. 

2-6-5

Heat 2 - 7.18

The key to this heat would appear to be whether Gaytime Clyde can hold a front rank position as they head into the opening turn. He will appreciate the draw off the immediate rails this evening compared to the red jacket last week, pacing himself up into trouble. Swift Magnison has a lovely draw on the outside to exploit which should see him safely though ahead of what could be a bun fight for the final qualifying spot.

2-6-4

Heat 3 - 7.38

Proper Heiress is really growing into the competition this year, shaping as if his best runs are still to come. Even with that said, he has won his opening two races in the Derby and despite having a little more in the way of early pace inside of him this evening, he is still liable to prove too strong for these. The outside pair can chase him home with Lennies Dynamic and Priceless Romeo both set for clear enough runs.

3-6-5

Heat 4 - 7.58

It is hard to oppose Ballymac Duffle after he set a track record in both the first and second round of the competition. He might be hard pushed to go quicker tonight which would make it one of all the all-time great feats, but he can book his place in the quarter-final stage with style. Brunch Pal ran a huge race from the black jacket last week and can follow him home with Rebel Alaska continuing to impress, filling out the frame.

1-4-5

Heat 5 - 8.18

This is a brilliant heat with Glengar Kane the pick by virtue of having the innermost draw. If he can hold his position on the inside to the first bend to keep all of his rivals around the outside of him, he can come home in front. Scooby The Lady is down to the top two in the best bitch in the competition and she can make it another stage. This is by far the biggest test of Underground Gold in his career with the sheer pace and quality inside of him and he may lose out to Glengar Silent who we have not seen the best of yet in this competition. 

1-2-5

Heat 6 - 8.38

The first round win from Epic Ace was excellent, the second round victory from him was absolutely spectacular. He showed in Ireland just what a machine he can be when he gets things right and this should be perfect for him to get on the bunny early once more. Both Texas Jack and Dereks Legend are strong runners and can use that power late on to pick top the qualifying places on either side of the field. 

2-6-1

Heat 7 - 8.58

There could be a surprise here with Kranky Drake taken to finish this off the best and grab control of things off the final bend. He lacks the early gears of a couple of these but he is too big in the market to ignore. Hackney Corner has been a narrow winner of both his heats but he had some luck with Stike It Skye picking the wrong wide of him multiple times in the opening round and then somehow avoiding any trouble from a slow break last week. Speaking of trouble, it is no sure thing that Ballymac Ralf (who is the quickest of these on the clock) clears the 37kg hulk of Sole Focus on his inside into the first bend.  

6-5-2

Heat 8 - 9.18

A tricky closing heat with Ballymac Deniro and Ballymac Stud perhaps drawn the wrong way around for Liam Dowling. Stud is arguably the more consistent of the pair and that can see him take control of the outside to qualify. On the inside it can be another smart display from Droopys Aladdin who has his box in one on the inside of his main rails rival of Strike It Skye. As long as the pair avoid one another at the opening turn, they can both make it through into the final 24.

1-6-2