English Greyhound Derby Quarter-Finals Preview
24 Greyhounds remain in pursuit of the sport’s greatest prize, the English Greyhound Derby. The 2026 quarter-finals take place at Towcester on Saturday night, with the first of the competition’s heats getting underway at 20:18, live on the BAR 1 Betting website & app.
The final, with a top prize of £125,000, takes place on Saturday, 6 June 2026 at Towcester.
Quarter Final One 8.18
- Proper Heiress (Mark Wallis)
- Epic Ace (John Kennedy, Ire)
- Underground Gold (Paul Young)
- Droopys Aladdin (Mike Burton)
- Bubbly Hogan (m) (Tony Dean)
- Ballymac Iroko (w) (Liam Dowling, Ire)
An excellent opening quarter final, Proper Heiress for trainer Mark Wallis in the red jacket for the first time, having run from two, four, and three in the opening three rounds so far.
Epic Ace produced a scintillating performance to equal the track record on May 8th, but topped it last weekend when breaking the track record, showing excellent early pace to clock 28.14.
The run to the bend will be interesting, but if Epic Ace goes around in front, then it will take some stopping.
Verdict 2-1-4
Quarter Final Two 8.38
- Sole Focus (Debbie Calvert)
- Scooby The Lady (Richard Rees)
- Gaytime Clyde (Graham Holland, Ire)
- Ballymac Duffle (Liam Dowling, Ire)
- Priceless Romeo (m) (Paul Hennessy, Ire)
- Swift Magnison (w) (Nick Deas)
Ballymac Duffle broke the track record in the opening two rounds and then had to battle last time when finding trouble and winning by a short head in a time of 28.75.
The blue and white jacket will also show pace into the bend, but if Ballymac Duffle can lead up on the outside, you would expect him to triumph.
Verdict 4-3-5
Quarter Final Three 8.58
- Donishall Sam (Graham Holland, Ire)
- Lennies Eddie (Paul Hennessy, Ire)
- Droopys Sort (Carl Jackson)
- Ballymac Deniro (m) (Liam Dowling, Ire)
- Texas Jack (w) (Richard Rees)
- Lennies Tank (w) (Paul Hennessy, Ire)
Early pace is again the key to success here, and Lennies Eddie should show enough to lead up Donishall Sam on his inside. He is the only winner from last time out in this field, and he can take this and progress to the semi-final.
Verdict 2-1-6
Quarter Final 4 9.18
- Goldcash Warrior (Nathan Hunt)
- Strike It Skye (Mark Wallis)
- Ballymac Ralf (Liam Dowling, Ire)
- Hackney Corner (m) (Paul Hennessy, Ire)
- Get Up The Boy (m) (Mark Robinson, Ire)
- Slick Sentinel (w) (Patrick Janssens)
As we look to early pace once again, Ballymac Ralf could be interesting here for trainer Liam Dowling. He has won his previous two rounds and should lead up the inside runners here.
This looks to be one of the most competitive quarter finals, but Ballymac Ralf is progressing and could secure his place in the next round.
Verdict 3-6-4
English Greyhound Derby 2026 schedule
First Round: Friday, 1st May to Saturday, 2nd May
Second Round: Friday, 8th May to Saturday, 9th May
Third Round: Saturday, 16th May
Quarter-Finals: Saturday, 23rd May
Semi-Finals: Saturday, 30th May
Final: Saturday, 6th June
