SWORDS REX consolidated his position as favourite for the Classic with victory for Graham Holland in heat ten as the second batch of second-round heats of the 2023 Star Sports & TRC English Greyhound Derby took centre-stage at Towcester on Saturday.

Just 24 hours after Romeo Magico tightened his grip on the title he won so brilliantly last year, kennelmate Swords Rex played a starring role with a fastest-of-the-night all-the-way success to initiate a three-in-a-row hat-trick for the Co Tipperary-based handler and maintain his unbeaten start to the Classic.

Racing to a 4.08sec sectional, the July 2020 son of Droopys Sydney and Starry Display was never headed as he led home Beepers Lauriat (Jack Kennelly) for a four-and-a-half length success and an Irish one-two. Third here was Jet Stream Wind (Kevin Hutton), with the winning time 28.95sec (normal) for the 500m distance.

The Holland-trained hat-trick was then completed by Ballyhimikin Leo (29.21sec) in heat 11, who led off the second bend to lead home Untold Zloty (Carol Weatherall) and Aero Arran (Richie Taberner), and Clona Jet in heat 12, with the track record holder recovering from a missed break to hit the front off the second bend.

Taking advantage of a gap inside as his rivals moved off, Clona Duke was soon in command but Savana Titan (Diane Henry) conjured up a stirring run to get within a short-head of the 29.58sec winner (normal), with Ballymac Finn (Liam Dowling) home in third.

Of Swords Rex, Nicky Holland, wife of the trainer, said: “He made the race his own and is just a clever dog. He keeps a straight line to the bend, pretty much wherever he’s drawn, then cuts the turn when he can, but will hold that line if he’s got dogs inside him.”

And of Clona Duke, Holland added: “He gave us a heart attack when he walked out. He was lucky at the bend, but took his chance well, jumped to the rail, and was able to run his race, but after that sort of race we’re just happy to qualify.”

On a good night for Irish-trained runners, Paul Hennessy landed a second second-round success with Mcneill finishing best in heat 13 to add to Boylesports Gift’s victory the previous night. The winner edged out longtime leader Mystical Mario (John Lambe) by three-quarters of a length in 29.13sec (normal). Hopes Woofwoof (Jason Heath) was third.

The night had kicked off with Faypoint Susie following up her first-round success with almost a repeat show as John Mullins’ runner hit her stride quickly and was never headed for a one-and-a-quarter lengths success over favourite Gaytime Nemo (Graham Holland) and Distant Lodge (Barrie Draper) in 29.49sec.

Arc Cesarewich champion Cochise, another impressive first-round scorer, was once again foot-perfect in heat 15 as he proved too strong for his rivals, coming through a battle with Savana Hero (Brendan Matthews) before stretching on to score by five lengths from that rival and Stevie Knows (Barrie Draper) in 29.29sec (normal).

Savana Beau, a finalist last year, had earlier struck in heat 14 for Diane Henry and owner Kevin Boothby, the Towcester boss, with a powerful effort as he raced clear on the run for home to score by almost four lengths in 29.25sec (normal) from the running-on Jacktavern Bella (Graham Holland) and Goldies Perryman (Paul Foster).

Ballymac Marino, subject of a seeding change to rails before the second round, rounded off the night with an impressive effort in heat 16 to secure another Irish-trained victory as the Liam Dowling-trained runner piled on the pressure from the get-go to make all from Forest Icon (Kevin Hutton) and Savana Bailey (Diane Henry) in 29.17sec (normal).