KING MEMPHIS is aiming to roll back the years when he lines as the fastest semi-final winner in the BGBF British Bred Derby Final at Towcester on Sunday.

Liz McNair’s multiple big-race winner is once again starring at the Northamptonshire venue, scene of his 2023 English Puppy Derby success and exploits in the 2024 Star Sports & TRC English Greyhound Derby where he reached the final.

Winner of a high-quality third semi-final of the British Bred Derby, one of British breeding’s showpiece events being run for the first time at Towcester, King Memphis finished best to reel in leader Romeo Steel (Patrick Janssens) who had roared to the front off a moderate exit.

However, tiring off the last bend, the always-prominent King Memphis, a December 2021 son of Droopys Sydney and Queen Beyonce, came through full of running to cross the line ahead of Romeo Steel’s kennelmate Romeo Ability, scoring by one and three-quarter lengths in 29.32sec (-10) for the 500m trip.

Venetian Will struck for Kevin Hutton in the first semi-final as the November 2023 son of Droopys Sydney and Singalong Sally edged out Aero Boris (Richie Taberner) by a short head in 29.71sec (-10) in a thrilling finish.

The second semi went to Heather Dimmock’s Spiridon Zelus as the 12-1 chance raised the roof for connections by holding off Coppice Lottie (Kevin Hutton) by three-quarters of a length in 29.74sec (-10), a semi-final in which defending champion Keefil Rocky (Phil Milner) was crowded out of contention.

However, the success of locally trained Spiridon Zelus, a June 2022 son of Pestana and Stardom, was one of the highlights of the afternoon for Danny Rayment, Towcester’s new racing manager.

He said: “I know it was one of a good few surprises on the afternoon, but it’s always good to have a local graded runner getting through to a major final and he made the most of a great draw outside to win his semi-final.

“Obviously connections of all our finalists are great supporters of British breeding, but Tony Brealey and Dave Firmager getting runners through means we have a ‘Coppice’ and a ‘Romeo’ in the final with Coppice Lottie and Romeo Ability.

“Patrick Janssens looked to have a really strong hand going into the semi-finals but things probably didn’t go entirely to plan for them, but the Derby winner is still represented!

“In fact, it’s a fantastic competition but you’d have to say King Memphis is the one they have to beat despite reaching senior status now. He’s come back brilliantly after a spell off and we all know how much he loves Towcester.”