Plans Fluid For Towcester Big Guns As Holland Launches Classic Campaign

GRAHAM HOLLAND, the County Tipperary-based Englishman who has actually two times won Towcester's English Greyhound Derby, began his preparation for an assault on this year's Classic with a three-pronged raid on the on Sunday.


His kennel emerged with one winner in Slippery Brian (28.65 sec, fastest of the day) and two seconds in Gaytime Joachim and Swords Style, with the latter in particular standing out on his very first appearance at the circuit.


Holland, who has yet to finalise his full Towcester raiding party, said of last month's Tote Gold Cup finalist: "He definitely flew out [3.75 sec sectional] and I believe if anything he captured the hare chauffeur out.


"He was three lengths clear entering into the bend however came out of it 2nd as he moved off towards the hare. He ran well enough after that behind the winner [Kevin Hutton's Rebel Alaska] and it was good to provide them all a look round.


"I'm pleased that Towcester have brought the brand-new traps in. I have actually flagged that as a problem for lots of years now and it's good to see that things are being put right there by the brand-new management at the track.


"I was also pleased to see Towcester retain the competitors this year under Mike Davis. I'm not encouraged that the brand-new circuit developed at Dunstall Park is right for the Derby. You require an appropriate test and a track where early speed isn't whatever."


Having won back-to-back crowns with Romeo Magico in 2022 and Gaytime Nemo in 2023, Holland was once again well represented in in 2015's final won by Patrick Janssens' Droopys Plunge, with his 2024 Irish Derby hero Bockos Diamond finishing second, subsequent 2025 Shelbourne champion Cheap Sandwiches running 4th and Bombay Pat also reaching the decider.


The latter is presently recuperating from a major injury which required an operation and plate placed, but Holland explained himself as "confident" that his 2 Shelbourne super stars may yet make a return for another fracture at the English crown.


"They've both had concerns, however we're working away in your home and I'm delighted with how they're going," he said. "I could not say for certain today that they'll be coming over but if things continue to advance then we've got a possibility.


"Bombay Pat was fortunate to be alive after his injury, but he's doing well after the operation and we'll probably attempt him with a number of bitches when the time's right."


Sunday's runners took a trip over with Holland's wife Nicky and the team will as soon as again be lodging at the kennels of Kent-based fitness instructor Jamie Kingsley for their Classic campaign.


Holland, who was at home monitoring his kennel's weekend runners in Ireland which included a hat-trick of winners in the 2nd round of Limerick's prominent Kirby memorial, said: "Nicky took a trip over on her own with the pets and all worked out in regards to the journey and settling in at Jamie's base.


"As for the Kirby, the team ran well and we have actually some good canines in there. With concerns to the Derby, if we're lucky adequate to get any through to the final at Limerick then there's no method they 'd be heading over.


"The Kirby is a tough competitors and just ends up a number of weeks before the Derby begins. These are young dogs so you don't wish to over do it with them."


The start of the Star Sports & Orchestrate Greyhound Derby is now just one month away, with the first-round action set to be run over 3 successive nights, starting on Thursday, April 30, and goes through to the final on Saturday, June 6.