ROMEO MAGICO was the only runner to dip under the 29 seconds barrier as the first batch of second-round heats of the 2023 Star Sports & TRC English Greyhound Derby took centre-stage at Towcester on Friday.

The defending champion, trained by Graham Holland for owner and breeder David Firmager, was always handy in heat seven and proved too strong for another Irish-trained runner Undulation (Brendan Mathews) as the Aug 2019 son of Magical Bale and Fabulous Artist headed his rival at the base of the back straight before winning by a length in 28.97sec (normal). Sussex Cup winner Ninja Kerry qualified in third.

Winning owner and breeder Firmager said: “He’s showed great pace again but it’s what he does round the first and second bends which is most impressive – it’s that pace which won him the Derby last year. This is his third English Derby campaign and it’s great to see him do what he’s doing – he loves Towcester, and tonight has been great – especially given the grandkids are here and loving half-term!”

Firmager had earlier seen win-machine Romeo Command produce another top performance in heat four to score for the Patrick Janssens camp as the British Breeders Stakes winner came through powerfully to grab gold from longtime leader Burj Khalifa (Brendan Matthews), the January 2021 son of Dorotas Wildcat and Drive On Betsy winning by a length in 29.05sec (normal). Ballymac Bronze (Liam Dowling) was third.

Firmager added: “He certainly likes to win and his record is exceptional on that score – 11 wins from 12 races I believe. He probably lacks that real top early pace but his all-round pace you cannot fault – and his trackcraft is great and he’s got a lot of class. He keeps to himself and almost waits for the chance to challenge and pass. You can’t ask for more at this stage. It’s what we do – trying to breed Derby runners. So far, so good.”

Signet Goody reached the semi-finals last year and the John Mullins-trained runner has started his 2023 campaign in the best possible style and followed up a fine first-round victory with an impressive follow up in the opening second round heat.

Racing to a 4.10sec split, the John Mullins-trained star was never headed as he crossed the line two and three-quarter lengths clear of the keeping-on Irish raider As I Say (Brendan Matthews) and Hopes Rhino (Jason Heath) in 29.19sec (normal).

Newcastle trainer Tom Heilbron landed a double on the night with Innfield Billy, a recent arrival into the kennels, making all in heat two before Towcester KAB Maiden Derby semi-finalist Brinkleys Magic reeled in longtime leader Romeo Hanzo in heat six.

Innfield Billy, a February 2021 son of Ballymac Anton and Highview Daisy, led home a Heilbron-trained one-two in his heat, clocking 29.38sec in crossing the line two and a quarter lengths clear of kennelmate Links Top Gun. Third here was Romeo Top Gun for the Patrick Janssens camp, in a race in which the same kennel’s Lautaro failed to finish due to injury. He was operated on this week and been homed.

The Heilbron double was completed by Brinkleys Magic, who kept on well to edge Romeo Hanzo by a short-head, with Supa Nova (Paul Burr) back in third. The winner, an October 2020 son of Magical Bale and Bobsleigh Jet – a half-brother of Irish stars Bobsleigh Dream and Gaston Pecas – clocked 29.30sec for the 500m trip.

The other heats were won by Seamus Cahill’s improving puppy Maree Champion (29.12sec), John Lambe’s fast-finishing and progressive Hurry Up Jordan (29.29sec) and Paul Hennessy’s Irish raider Boylesports Gift (29.11sec).