COCHISE gave the home-trained challenge a real boost as Richard Rees’ powerhouse clocked the fastest time in Saturday’s final batch of second round heats of the 2023 Star Sports & TRC English Greyhound Derby at Towcester.

After Irish runners had posted the fastest clocks on the first two nights of Derby action, including a new track record from Graham Holland’s Clona Duke on Friday, it was the turn of Hove raider Cochise, the reigning Arc Cesarewitch champion at Central Park, to set the standard as he lined up in heat 24.

The June 2020 son of Droopys Sydney and Lemon Stacey, better known as a stayer, revels over Towcester 500m and also finished third in the Kent Plate Final at Central Park. So once trapping in front, Cochise was always in command and raced away for a seven lengths-plus win over Burj Khalifa (Brendan Matthews) in 28.94sec (normal).

Jackie Rees, wife and assistant trainer to her husband, said: “It was fantastic to see him come out so well and, when he does that over this trip, you’ve got to fancy your chances. We gave him a spin round Hove last week just to keep him fit and it’s worked. The owners wanted him in the Derby just to keep on qualifying – so it’s not a bad start!”

Next quickest on the night was the 28.96sec (normal) posted by Whyaye Man (pictured) in heat 30 as the January 2021 son of Droopys Jet and Droopys Megan made a sparkling winning UK debut for champion trainer Mark Wallis.

Well away towards the inside, the Kirby Memorial semi-finalist and two-time Limerick and Shelbourne winner was never troubled as he stretched five lengths clear of My Girl Mia (Seamus Cahill) and Late Bolger (Heather Dimmock) at the line.

Beepers Lauriat struck for 21-year-old Jack Kennelly, the youngest trainer with a Derby entry this year, in heat 23 – a heat which saw the elimination of ante-post favourite Fromposttopillar after a moderate start and being forced wide and then, when making a move to qualify, crowding at the fourth turn.

Taking advantage of the favourite’s misfortune, Irish entry Beepers Lauriat hit the front down the back-straight and gamely held Savana Bailey (Diane Henry) and Newinn Ranger (Mark Wallis) by half a length in 29.53sec (normal).

Patrick Janssens landed a quickfire back-to-back heat double in heats 25 and 26 as Romeo Command improved his Towcester record still further as BGBF British Breeders Stakes winner and RPGTV Juvenile winner runner-up, came through a battle with Who Needs Wings (Seamus Cahill) to score by a length and a half in 29.54sec (normal).

Deelish Frankie, a semi-finalist last year, then completed the Janssens double when powering to the front off the second bend on his way to a five and a quarter lengths success from Kaluki (Vicki Lea) in 29.35sec (normal).

Ballymac Joey kicked off Saturday night for the Irish in the best possible style as Liam Dowling’s September 2020 son of Ballymac Bolger and Ballymac Arminta raced away for a two-and-three-quarter lengths success over Hopes Woofwoof (Jason Heath) and Lautaro (Patrick Janssens) in 29.17sec (normal).

Best race of the night saw the Paul Burr-trained Supa Nova finished best to edge out longtime leader Bens Lad (Julie Luckhurst) and the always-handy Bellmore Lola (Barry Denby) by a head and half a length in 29.25sec (normal) for the 500m trip.

The other heats were won by Carol Weatherall’s Untold Zloty (29.20sec), who made all impressively in heat 28 from last year’s Coral Sussex Cup winner Ninja Kerry; Paul Foster’s Goldies Perryman (29.28sec) with a rock-solid trap-to-line success in heat 31 from Steve Knows (Barrie Draper) and Nathan Hunt’s Droopys Google.

The latter was soon in charge in heat 32, the final first-round heat, in which the

March 2021 son of Malachi and Droopys Saga was soon dominating and never headed as he won by four and a half lengths in 29.07sec (normal) from Ballyhimikin Leo (Graham Holland) and Oaks champion Slick Sakina (Patrick Janssens), the latter just holding on for a qualifying position by a short-head from fourth-placed Wrighty (John Mullins).

Earlier heat 29 had been voided after Vixons Flyer jumped out forcing the hare to be stopped in the interests of safety. Lots were drawn for second-round qualification and the names of Chelms Paul (John Mullins), Chasing Tommytee (Paul Marchant) and Antigua Bigun (Mark Wallis) were pulled out. Bubbly Gizmo (Paul Young) stood by as reserve.