TOWCESTER promoter Kevin Boothby and the track’s general manager Mick Conneely are putting the finishing touches to preparations for greyhound racing’s biggest night of the year on Saturday – the final of the 2022 Star Sports & TRC English Greyhound Derby.

The £175,000 decider will attract a huge crowd to the Northamptonshire venue with the race to succeed last year’s winner Thorn Falcon scheduled to go off at 9.15pm – and Boothby has an extra special reason to look forward to this year’s running of the Classic given he owns Savana Beau, who runs from trap one as a second Derby finalist for trainer Diane Henry after Making Paper made the final for her at Wimbledon in 2015.

“As an owner of a number of greyhounds for a number of years, this is a real high point and well done to Diane for her hard work in getting Beau to the final. It’s a great achievement from her and he’ll be doing his best to win – and you never know!”

Savana Beau was formerly trained by Graham Holland when known as Riverside Beau and the Irish Derby-winning trainer is himself looking to land a first English Derby with British-bred finalist Romeo Magico for owner Dave Firmager, his breeder. Holland has sent out five finalists with Ballydoyle Valor, second in 2020, and Clares Rocket, third in 2017, having gone closest for the Tipperary-based handler.

Towcester has staged the Star Sports English Greyhound Derby on three occasions with home-trained runners winning courtesy of Astute Missile (2017), Dorotas Wildcat (2018) and Thorn Falcon last year – but once again Irish-trained runners hold the upper hand heading in the deciding contest of this 192-runner competition.

Joining Romeo Magico for Ireland is Peter Cronin’s Kildare, as a pup the youngest finalist on Saturday, and Paul Hennessy’s experienced pair of Hello Hammond and Priceless Jet who famously landed a double for the Gowran handler on quarter-final night, including a new track record for the latter.

Hennessy has won the English Derby twice with Jaytee Jet, sire of Hello Hammond, and Priceless Blake. Jaytee Jet won the last Greyhound Derby at Wimbledon in 2016 and the first of Nottingham’s brace of Derbys in 2019 for owners Bryan and Kathleen Murphy, who also own Saturday’s finalist Priceless Jet. Hello Hammond is owned by Gerry and Miriam Meaney.

Peter Cronin, who trains Kildare for owner Aidan Comerford, has gone close to winning the Derby having sent out runner-up Tynwald Bish at Wimbledon in 2015 and third-placed Crokers Jack the year before. Whoops Jack made the final at Towcester for Cronin behind Dorotas Wildcat in 2018.

Joining Savana Beau as a member of the home challenge on Saturday is Mickys Barrett, who bids to land a fairytale success for Nottingham trainer Jason Gray and the dog’s owners the Micky Barrett Syndicate. Both greyhound and syndicate are named in memory of their late friend and the story of the 67-strong syndicate, many of whom are enjoying their first taste of greyhound racing, has sparked plenty of interest.

“It’s a great story and the Micky Barrett Syndicate have certainly brought something extra special to this year’s Derby,” added Boothby. “They’ve added to a great atmosphere, have been singing loud and proud on the terraces, and I’m sure they’ll be in great form come Saturday – and we wish them and Jason (Gray) all the best with their dog.

“Saturday here at Towcester promises to be another great occasion for the sport. Our hospitality packages were sold out a long time ago but general admission tickets are available and we plan to have a party here. Greyhound fans and sports fans alike will have a great time – I can promise them that,” added Boothby.