NOTTINGHAM kicked off the delayed 2020 Star Sports & Arc Greyhound Derby with eight heats on Friday, the second time the Colwick Park venue has staged the premier Classic.

Originally slated for April, the rescheduled event saw 96 runners head for traps for the first round split across two nights with a strong Irish challenge after last year’s 1-2-3 for the Emerald Isle – and the visitors started where they left off!

Pat Buckley’s Deerjet Sydney made a beeline for the rails from the traps in heat one and, while crowding runners up on his inside, was able to lead at the bend on his way to clocking a 29.83sec success by three and a half lengths from fellow qualifiers Jazzers Man (Brian Thompson) and local hope Churchill Holly (Lynn Cook).

The victory of the Irish Derby quarter-finalist initiated a treble for trainer Buckley, who has been a regular English Derby visitor and went closest with Droopys Roddick in 2016 who finished second to Jaytee Jet at Wimbledon.

Buckley later sent out Irish Derby semi-finalist Glengar Bale, with a brilliant show of pace and power as he draw steadily clear to win heat three by almost five lengths from Swift Lettuce (John Mullins) and Pennys Fuinseog (Gary Ferguson). The winning time was 29.55sec, quickest of the night for Buckley.

The Buckley treble was completed by Knocknaboul Syd, a 28.35sec Limerick winner, who showed good early pace in heat seven on his way to clocking a fastest-of-the-night 4.88sec sectional before going clear to win by two lengths from Troy Firebird (David Mullins) and Wingman (Ken Humphreys).

“They’ve all run well and we’re delighted,” said Buckley, who is staying with Hove trainer June Harvey for the duration of the famous event. “Sydney had the wrong draw in four and you could see that when he headed for the rail, so in the circumstances he’s run well to get across.

“Glengar Bale showed huge pace to win and we know what he’s all about. We saw that at Shelbourne Park and he was probably unlucky not to make the final there, while Knocknaboul Syd is all early pace. We couldn’t have asked for a better start but the kennel at home takes huge credit.”

Derby-winning trainer Seamus Cahill was on the mark in heat two as Smurfs Machine paced up to lead at the bend and win from Vixons Lad (Brian Thompson) and Santro Duke (James Gaskin) in 30.04sec, while the Diane Henry-trained Savana Cody edged past Newinn Jacko (Ernie Gaskin) at the first bend to win from that rival by almost two lengths in 30.10sec, with favourite Deanridge Rapid (Allison Kelly-Pilgrim) a short-head in front of Mister Brentford (Matt Dartnall) for the qualifying place.

Ladbrokes Gold Cup winner Gonzo was an impressive winner of heat five as Julie Bateson’s runner caught Swanley Chick (John McGee) at the third bend on his way to crossing the line three lengths clear of Look Like Power (Jimmy Fenwick) in 29.86sec.

Carol Weatherall’s ex-Irish Distant Star (30.15sec) made all in heat six to lead home Mark Wallis’s pair of Sober Express and Antigua Boy, while the eight and final saw Little Emir Scott clear on the inside and again make all as Gary Carmichael’s runner crossed the line five lengths clear of Final Mad (Stuart Tighe) and Catunda Logan (John McGee snr).

Martin Chapman, representing sponsors Star Sports, said of the first night’s action: “I must give full credit to Nottingham. I thought Nathan Corden and the team did a fantastic job in the restaurant given the social distancing guidelines in place, but it worked well.

“For us it was a slightly surreal experience standing where we did betting with no actual interaction and bets coming via messages as such, but it was still a fairly lively first evening of the Greyhound Derby.

“On the track, honours obviously went to Pat Buckley. I wasn’t the only one to wince when I pulled Deerjet Sydney out in trap four, but he cheated the draw and foiled a gamble on Jazzers Man.

“And you couldn’t fail to be impressed by Glengar Bale. He showed why he was ante-post favourite for the Irish Derby at one point – I also liked what Gonzo did. That was one for the ‘wides can’t win at Nottingham’ brigade!

“All our hearts went out to young Jimmy Gaskin who’s Waikiki Keano suffered a nasty injury, although it was also good to hear he’ll make a full recovery.”

Results: www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=366406&raceId=676335

Star Sports & Arc Greyhound Derby dates:-

Second round: Saturday, October 10

Quarter-finals: Saturday, October 17

Semi-finals: Saturday, October 24

Final: Saturday, October 31