DEELISH FRANKIE is the RPGTV/GWA Greyhound of the Month for March.

Following his victory in the £20,000-to-the-winner Premier Greyhound Racing Puppy Derby at Monmore, the Patrick Janssens-trained youngster received most votes from Greyhound Writers’ Association members.

Trained by Towcester handler Janssens for owners Evan Herbert, John Porter and Stephan Vogt, Deelish Frankie landed the prize at the Wolverhampton venue in impressive style with a 28.33sec victory over Kevin Hutton’s Annual Sydney.

Subsequently reaching the final of the Seasons Scaffolding Puppy Derby at Hove where he hardly enjoyed the clearest of runs, the Star Sports/TRC English Greyhound Derby is very much the target for Deelish Frankie.

Of the July 2020 son of Ballymac Bolger and Ballymac Belle, a 36-kilo runner bred by Liam Dowling, Janssens said: “Towcester has to be the plan. He won there twice before Monmore in pretty decent times and has improved since.

“I thought he was desperately unlucky at Hove. He broke well in the final but was pegged back by our other runner Romeo Top Gun – I was hoping they’d use some teamwork! – but Frankie came out of the race really well and we’ve kept him fresh since.

“He’ll be returning to Monmore as part of my team for the (Arc/Entain) Trainers Judgement night on Saturday week (April 30).

“He’s still young for a Derby dog but is a mature sort, so will likely trial after Monmore and should come forward again. I was just delighted for Evan, John and Stephan – particularly Stephan given Frankie is his first greyhound – it’s been a pretty good start for him.”

Clive Lawrence, executive producer at award sponsors RPGTV, said: “It was a pretty tasty month with some cracking big-race winners, but Deelish Frankie looks a really nice puppy for Patrick and will no doubt be among a strong team of his for the Derby.

“We’re counting down to Towcester on the show. With events such as the Maiden Derby, also at Towcester, and the Kirby Memorial at Limerick also likely to produce some English Derby challengers, hopefully our viewers are beginning to get excited about the Classic.

“We plan to have reporters at Towcester for each of the nights and look forward to bringing to our viewers all the action and background to what should be another fantastic (Star Sports/TRC) English Greyhound Derby.”

In taking the monthly honour backed by RPGTV, Deelish Frankie edged out George Ing St Leger winner Blueberry Bullet (Mark Wallis), Arc Northern Flat heroine Jaguar Macie (Graham Rankin), Coral Golden Sprint champion Rail McCoy (Mark Wallis) and BGBF British Breeders Stakes Signet Otis (Kevin Hutton).