Our Picks for the English Greyhound Derby

The English Greyhound Derby is undoubtedly the most prestigious race in the entire sport. The owners and trainers of the best four-bend dogs from the United Kingdom and Ireland will have their sights firmly set on winning the 2021 renewal of the 500-metre race. 

With the first round getting underway on Thursday June 3rd and continuing until the big finale at Towcester on July 10th, here are some of our picks for Greyhounds to keep an eye out for over the course of the next month or so. Read on to find out more. 

Deerjet Sydney – 25/1

Deerjet Sydney was second in last year’s quarter-finals and semi-finals. However, when it came to the final, the Pat Buckley-trained dog prevailed. He entered the race as the 11/4 second-favourite with Betdaq. But, with market leader Southwood Jet starting terribly and Deerjet Sydney breaking well, there was only going to be one winner.

This year, the Irish-trained horse will be aiming to become the first successive winner of the Derby since Westmead Hawk in 2005 and 2006. He’ll have his work cut out, especially after being knocked out of the Easter Cup in the first round. But he’s proved he can it do previously and we’re backing him to go far again this year. 

Thorn Falcon – 25/1

Thorn Falcon is a dog whose odds are quickly shortening. Trained by the 2020 Trainer of the Year Patrick Janssens, Thorn Falcon is the son of 2018 winner Dorotas Wildcat and his form suggests that he is a real contender for the Derby.

The two-year-old heads into Thursday’s first-round (heat 5) unbeaten in all of his eight races and he’s heavily expected to win easily from Trap 6. Thorn Falcon’s last four victories have been over 500 metres at Towcester, and that gives us confidence that he’s one to watch this year. With Irish-trained dogs winning the last two renewals, the Brits will be hoping that Thorn Falcon can recuperate some bragging rights. 

Beach Avenue – 25/1

Any dog trained by Paul Hennessy, who has won the Greyhound Derby twice since 2016 with Jaytee Jet (2016) and Priceless Blake (2019), is worth watching and he’ll be hoping for a third victory in five years with Beach Avenue.

The two-year-old has only raced once in England. But he heads into Friday’s first-round (heat 20) with an impressive victory in the bag — winning over 500 metres at Towcester last month. Experience in English races may not be on his side. However, given his impressive debut and the fact he’s had his fair share of wins in Ireland (nine), he can’t really be discounted. 

Tenpin – 28/1

Tenpin is another dog whose odds are dropping like a stone. Now at 28/1, the David Mullins-trained greyhound was impressive as a puppy and with 14 wins in 20 runs, he’s one to watch this year.

It was a shame that a difference in opinion concerning seedings resulted in Tenpin being pulled form Newcastle’s Northern Flat. But Mullins has ensured he’s remained ticking over with outings at the likes of Central Park, Nottingham and Towcester. He heads into Saturday’s first-round (heat 31) with two successive wins at Towcester, and he has a favourable draw in Trap 1.

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