BALLINABOLA ED became only the third greyhound to dip under 29 seconds for Towcester’s 500m when producing a brilliant display on the second night of first-round action in the 2022 Star Sports & TRC English Greyhound Derby at Towcester on Friday.

The June 2020 son of Confident Rankin and Dolls Lady, who was helping trainer Pat Buckley to a fantastic four-timer on the night, had finished fourth in the Kirby Memorial at Limerick last month and lined up for the Tipperary handler, trainer of 2020 English Derby champion Deerjet Sydney, in heat 20.

Well away, Ballinabola Ed was always in command as he led home a Buckley-trained one-two as Cushie Concorde chased the winner home, finishing four and three-quarter lengths behind in a superb 28.97sec (normal).

Victory for Ballinabola Ed added to Buckley wins on the night for Bobsleigh Dream (29.20sec +10), Scarty Yank (29.39sec) and La Bonite (29.62sec), while the kennel’s Irish Derby second Singalong Sally ran a cracking race behind Graham Holland’s Part Blake (29.25sec +10) in heat 12.

Just a half a length separated the pair with Part Blake’s 4.06sec sectional the best of the night. However, of the Buckley four-timer, Emma Buckley said: “They’re a great team of greyhounds and we’re just delighted how things have worked out, although we know there’s a long way to go.

“Ballinabola Ed is a relentless galloper and to clock the time he has late in evening is great, but we’re happy with them all.”

A good night overall for Ireland was improved still further by Emilys Jet scoring for Peter Cronin in heat 16 as the July 2020 son of Dorotas Wildcat and Droopys Elite was quickly away and never headed before crossing the line a length and a quarter clear of Skywalker Stan (Ted Soppitt) in 29.32sec.

Cape Cloud then landed the final heat of the night to complete a Cronin-trained double as he led home Brighton Belle winner Whats Up Eva (Richard Rees) by three lengths in 29.32sec.

Defending champion Thorn Falcon (Patrick Janssens) started the defence of his title by staying on to finish third – and qualify for the second round – in heat 19 as Laurels champion Signet Denver (29.50sec) edged out Irish raider Coolavanny Calvn (Michael O’Donovan) by a head in a cracking head-to-head.

Tony Brealey, part-owner of the Kevin Hutton-trained Signet Denver, said of the British-bred Laurels champion: “He’s just getting better and better and showed that at Perry Barr.

“We always knew he was capable, but he got some bad draws in his early races – so was better than the results showed. It’s the Derby so we know it’s not going to be easy, but we’d love him to go a few rounds. To get to the final, of course, would be something else.”

The other heats were won by Sharon Thompson’s impressive and improving Master Ten Ten (29.46sec), Jason Gray’s trial stakes winner Mickys Barrett (29.72sec) and John Mullins’ strong-finishing and last-gasp winner Callmesteve (29.62sec).

 

STAR SPORTS/TRC ENGLISH GREYHOUND DERBY

Towcester

Second round: Friday, May 27 & Saturday, May 28

Third round: Saturday, June 4

Quarter-finals: Saturday, June 11

Semi-finals: Saturday, June 18

Final: Saturday, June 25