Plans Fluid for Towcester Big Guns As Holland Launches Classic Campaign
GRAHAM HOLLAND, the County Tipperary-based Englishman who has actually twice won Towcester's English Greyhound Derby, started his preparation for an attack on this year's Classic with a on the Northamptonshire circuit on Sunday.
His kennel emerged with one winner in Slippery Brian (28.65 sec, fastest of the day) and two seconds in Gaytime Joachim and Swords Style, with the latter in specific catching the eye on his first look at the circuit.
Holland, who has yet to finalise his full Towcester raiding party, stated of last month's Tote Gold Cup finalist: "He absolutely flew out [3.75 sec sectional] and I think if anything he captured the hare driver out.
"He was three lengths clear going into the bend however came out of it second as he moved off towards the hare. He ran well enough after that behind the winner [Kevin Hutton's Rebel Alaska] and it was good to provide all a look round.
"I'm delighted that Towcester have brought the brand-new traps in. I have actually flagged that as a problem for lots of years now and it's great to see that things are being rectified there by the new management at the track.
"I was likewise pleased to see Towcester retain the competition this year under Mike Davis. I'm not persuaded that the new circuit constructed at Dunstall Park is best for the Derby. You require an appropriate 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 once again well represented in last year's last won by Patrick Janssens' Droopys Plunge, with his 2024 Irish Derby hero Bockos Diamond completing 2nd, subsequent 2025 Shelbourne champ Cheap Sandwiches running fourth and Bombay Pat also reaching the decider.
The latter is currently recuperating from a major injury which demanded an operation and plate placed, however Holland explained himself as "hopeful" that his two Shelbourne super stars might yet make a return for another crack at the English crown.
"They've both had issues, however we're working away in your home and I'm happy with how they're going," he stated. "I couldn't say for particular today that they'll be coming over but if things continue to advance then we've got an opportunity.
"Bombay Pat was lucky to be alive after his injury, but he's doing well after the operation and we'll most likely try him with a couple of bitches when the time's right."
Sunday's runners took a trip over with Holland's spouse Nicky and the team will when again be lodging at the kennels of Kent-based fitness instructor Jamie Kingsley for their Classic project.
Holland, who was at home monitoring his kennel's weekend runners in Ireland that included a hat-trick of winners in the second round of Limerick's prestigious Kirby memorial, said: "Nicky took a trip 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 group ran well and we have actually some great dogs in there. With concerns to the Derby, if we're fortunate adequate to get any through to the last at Limerick then there's no method they 'd be heading over.
"The Kirby is a hard competitors and only completes a number of weeks before the Derby starts. These are young pets 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 three successive nights, starting on Thursday, April 30, and goes through to the last on Saturday, June 6.