Plans Fluid For Towcester Big Guns As Holland Launches Classic Campaign

GRAHAM HOLLAND, the County Tipperary-based Englishman who has two times won Towcester's English Greyhound Derby, began his preparation for an assault on this year's Classic with a three-pronged raid on the Northamptonshire circuit on Sunday.


His kennel emerged with one winner in Slippery Brian (28.65 sec, fastest of the day) and 2 seconds in Gaytime Joachim and Swords Style, with the latter in particular catching the eye on his very first take a look at the circuit.


Holland, who has yet to finalise his full Towcester raiding party, said of last month's Tote Gold Cup finalist: "He definitely flew out [3.75 sec sectional] and I think if anything he caught the hare motorist out.


"He was three lengths clear entering into the bend but came out of it 2nd as he moved off towards the hare. He ran all right after that behind the winner [Kevin Hutton's Rebel Alaska] and it was excellent to provide all a look round.


"I'm pleased that Towcester have actually brought the new traps in. I have actually flagged that as a problem for several years now and it's excellent to see that things are being rectified there by the brand-new management at the track.


"I was also pleased to see Towcester maintain the competition this year under Mike Davis. I'm not encouraged that the new circuit developed at Dunstall Park is right for the Derby. You need a correct test and a track where early speed isn't everything."


Having won back-to-back crowns with Romeo Magico in 2022 and Gaytime Nemo in 2023, Holland was again well represented in in 2015's final won by Patrick Janssens' Droopys Plunge, with his 2024 Irish Derby hero Bockos Diamond ending up 2nd, subsequent 2025 Shelbourne champ Cheap Sandwiches running 4th and Bombay Pat likewise reaching the decider.


The latter is currently recovering from a serious injury which required an operation and plate inserted, but Holland explained himself as "hopeful" that his 2 Shelbourne superstars might yet make a return for another fracture at the English crown.


"They've both had concerns, but we're working away at home and I'm pleased with how they're going," he said. "I could not say for certain today that they'll be coming over however if things continue to progress then we have actually got an opportunity.


"Bombay Pat was lucky to be alive after his injury, but he's succeeding after the operation and we'll probably try him with a couple of bitches when the time's right."


Sunday's runners took a trip over with Holland's partner Nicky and the group will once again be lodging at the kennels of Kent-based trainer Jamie Kingsley for their Classic campaign.


Holland, who was at home supervising his kennel's weekend runners in Ireland that included a hat-trick of winners in the 2nd round of Limerick's prominent Kirby memorial, said: "Nicky travelled over on her own with the canines and all went well in terms of the journey and settling in at Jamie's base.


"When it comes to the Kirby, the team ran well and we've some nice pets in there. With concerns to the Derby, if we're fortunate adequate to get any through to the final at then there's no chance they 'd be heading over.


"The Kirby is a tough competition and only completes a couple of weeks before the Derby starts. These are young canines so you do not wish to over do it with them."


The start of the Star Sports & Orchestrate Greyhound Derby is now simply one month away, with the first-round action set to be run over 3 consecutive nights, beginning on Thursday, April 30, and runs through to the final on Saturday, June 6.