Churchfield Syd signed off the first round of the 2025 Star Sports/TRC English Greyhound Derby in the best possible style as last year’s finalist, in his last big-race campaign, made all off the back of a fast start in heat 32 for a hugely popular victory.

Richard Rees’s runner produced his trademark fast start and show of early pace to set the tempo and made all, although Sunnyside Broxi (Ted Soppitt), another finalist last year when known as Ballymac Gizmo, kept up the pressure all the way and closed up the run-in to get within a short-head of the 29.00sec (normal) winner at the line.

Jackie Rees, wife of the winning trainer, said: “That’s almost our Derby, it’s just so good to see him to that. He’s been a brilliant dog for us and his owners – we all love him – and you couldn’t write his story in many ways. We are living the dream again.”

On a good night for Irish-trained runners, Pat Buckley’s Ballinabola Joe produced an impressive winning effort off the back of a fastest 3.91sec sectional in heat 29 with a trap-to-line success, holding the persistent challenge of compatriot Barefoot On Fire (Paul Hennessy) by half a length in 28.62sec (normal).

Boylesports Bob, last year’s Derby runner-up, later notched the Hennessy double with a crowd-pleasing last-to-first performance in heat 30 to reel in Fabulous Sonique (Mark Wallis) and early leader Droopys Metaphor (Craig Morris) in 29.16sec (normal). It was a race in which highly-rated youngster Headford Asher was eliminated.

Irish success was also notched by Bombay Pat, one of Graham Holland’s leading lights for outright Derby glory, as he landed odds of 2-13 when winning heat 27 with a show of all-round pace, crossing the line two and a half lengths in 28.81sec (normal) from Kevins Rocket (Seamus Cahill) and Wrighty (John Mullins).

Both Maxine Locke and Patrick Janssens matched the Hennessy feat on Saturday with doubles.

Janssens struck with track record holder Barntick Bear (29.08sec), who won in typically strong-running style in heat 24 from Aero Sacundai (Richie Taberner), and Droopys Plunge, another strong sort, who led off the front in heat 26 and won comfortably by six and a half lengths from Scooby Pacemaker (Richard Rees) in 28.64sec (normal).

Maxine Locke’s popular senior Cooliogold rolled back the years with a fast start setting up a length success over the keeping-on Uncle Freddie in 28.99sec (normal) in heat 28, while the double for the Romford trainer was landed in trap-to-line style in heat 31 by BetGoodwin and JR Racing Syndicate Maiden Derby runner-up Ballybough Nutz.

Fast away inside, the son of King Sheeran was never in any danger, winning easily by five and a quarter lengths from Teddie (Belinda Green) in 28.87sec (normal).

The night kicked off with Paul Marchant sending out Soul Choice (29.13sec) to win just third time up for the kennel, scoring in heat 22, while other heats went to Patrick Browne’s Rapido Ali (28.98sec) who produced a real back-straight surge to land the spoils in heat 25, completing a good record for Hove’s trainers in the first round.