Matt’s 2021 Greyhound Derby preview and tips

The Greyhound Derby kicks off this week with a first round split over three days. Thursday, Friday and Saturday will see our greyhound tips in action at Towcester. You can catch every race in this years Derby live on RPGTV from 6pm on Sky 437, Freesat 250 and at sportystuff.tv.

Long time followers will remember our antepost winner of the Irish Derby in 2019. Lenson Bocko was put up at 25/1 before the competition and then there was Kilara Icon making the final and landing the 150/1 each way money in 2020.

We’re back with five antepost picks for the 2021 English Greyhound Derby, including 175/1 and 200/1 outsiders!

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The Ping Breaker – 33/1 (bet365/Betfair/Paddy Power)

Richard Rees had a finalist in the 2020 Derby, Southwood Jet going off favourite for the decider. The kennel have a similar early-paced type for this year in the shape of Hilight Arkle. He has shown himself to be a hugely talented and consistent trapper so far.

He is perhaps a touch vulnerable in the final 50m or so of this stiff 500m test but he has not had much racing and should get stronger as the competition goes on. It would be no surprise to see Rees have a finalist in back to back years.

The Strong Runner – 200/1 (Hills)

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While it is generally preferable to be off the front end and out of trouble, Kilara Icon showed the way for strong runners in the Irish Derby last year. A similar type who can keep sneaking a place and continuing to qualify with each round is another from Richard Rees in Amazing Wink.

Runner-up in the recent KAB Maiden Derby over this course and distance, he had previously filled that same spot in the Ladbrokes Winter Derby at Monmore. He looks the perfect type to just keep on qualifying and flying under the radar.

The Puppy – 66/1 (Betfair/Paddy Power)

Just an August ’19 whelp, Romeo Magico is still a baby in this field. He is undoubtedly classy, clocking 28.18 at Limerick in April, a flying time for one so young. He has only had a handful of races in his life so his inexperience is a slight concern but 2013 winner Sidaz Jack had even less experience ahead of his Derby winning campaign, so it can be done.

By the superstar Magical Bale who made the 2018 Irish and 2019 English Derby finals, he shaped well in his first look at Towcester and is one who should continue to improve through the competition.

The Dark Horse – 125/1 (Sportnation)

It’s fair to say that in recent years Liam Dowling has been the dominant force in Ireland, His Ballymac prefix is famous worldwide and he has brought over a fearsome looking team. Ballymac Fairone could be the underestimated one of those who is flying under the radar.

From a repeat mating to Ballymac Matt, the first litter to that sire produced Ballymac Cooper who was third in the 2020 Irish Derby having been a quarter-finalist in 2019, knocked out by a neck. Fairone has the same look about him and can go deep into this competition granted some luck.

The Left Field Choice – 175/1 (bet365)

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Finally we have Minglers Popeye for trainer Stuart Tighe. He made a 20K final in Ireland in February before making his way over to these shores, showing plenty of pace at Newcastle, clocking a 28.70 in just his second race.

He looked completely lost on his first try at Towcester but he showed his customary early pace and if he can sneak through a round or two and become better acquainted with the track, he may just outrun his price.

Watch greyhound racing every night on Racing Post Greyhound TV from 6pm on Sky 437, Freesat 250 and at sportystuff.tv.
RPGTV is free to watch and dedicated to greyhound racing.