ROMEO COMMAND set the standard with a fastest-of-the-night 28.75sec (normal) as the third round of the 2023 Star Sports & TRC English Greyhound Derby produced its usual mix of high-class performances and hard-luck stories.

On a night which saw Romeo Magico’s defence of the title come to an end, the reigning champion’s owner and breeder David Firmager still had a decent enough night given victory for not just the British Breeders Stakes winner but also Magico’s litter-sister Fabulous Azurra. Firmager not just bred both, he also owns both.

Lining up in heat three, Romeo Command got away to his best start in this year’s Classic as the Patrick Janssens-trained son of January 2021 son of Dorotas Wildcat and Drive On Betsy was soon in command on his way to a runaway eight-and-a-half lengths success over Signet Otis (Kevin Hutton) and Boylesports Gift (Paul Hennessy).

Janssens would later notch an impressive double as dual British Bred Derby winner Fabulous Azurra, lining up against her litter brother Romeo Magico, was always handy after a slick exit and chased down leader Mystical Mario, who blasted to a 4.01sec sectional, to join issue with that rival and win by half a length in 29.30sec.

Ballyhimikin Leo qualified in third here just ahead of kennelmate and last year’s winner Romeo Magico, so mixed fortunes for the Graham Holland kennel here, especially having kicked off third round night in the best possible style with victory for Swords Rex, who was flawless in winning heat one.

Well away in the midfield, the Easter Cup champion and former track record was soon clear and raced away to win by 11 and a half lengths from Romeo Top Gun (Patrick Janssens) and Ballymac Finn (Liam Dowling) in 28.93sec.

Romeo Hanzo, another Firmager-bred runner, landed the Holland team a double in heat five as the April 2021 son of Romeo Recruit and Fabulous Mila trapped well inside and was never headed for a near four-length victory in 29.19sec ahead of Aero Arran (Richie Taberner) and Ninja Kerry (Belinda Green).

Brinkleys Magic followed up his smart second-round success with a sparking victory in heat two as Tom Heilbron’s litter half-brother of Irish star Bobsleigh Dream paced up to lead into the turn and was never headed before winning by seven and a half lengths from Clona Duke (Graham Holland) and Untold Zloty (Carol Weatherall) in a fast 28.79sec.

Ballymac Marino again impressed as he maintained his unbeaten record in the English Greyhound Derby in heat four. Trapping smartly, Liam Dowling’s June 2021 whelp was never in danger of not justifying odds-on favourtism and drew away to score by four and a half lengths from Hopes Rhino (Jason Heath) and Drive On Lad (Richard Rees).

However, the victory in 29.24sec drew mixed feelings from breeder and trainer Dowling who, while delighted the son of Vulturi had won, told Derby sponsors Star Sports: “He did everything right. I was bit disappointed with the time, but coming off the back of a week of sickness might be a factor. He’s got a full week now and hopefully comes forward.”

Distant Podge, beaten in the previous rounds after moderate exits, timed his start to perfection in heat six to set up a two-length victory over last year’s finalist Savana Beau (Diane Henry), running on well in second, and Gaytime Nemo (Graham Holland). The winning time for the 500m trip was 28.86sec.

Burj Khalifa then notched another victory for Ireland in this year’s event when powering to victory in a competitive heat seven as Brendan Matthews’ wide-running two-year-old swooped to the front into the third bend and went away readily to win by five lengths from compatriot Jacktavern Bella (Graham Holland) and Cochise (Richard Rees) in 29.14sec.