*** Swords Style – 3.13 Towcester
** Gaytime Joachim – 2.54 Towcester
* Newinn Tonic – 4.09 Towcester
The Irish challenge is starting to be built for the Star Sports & Orchestrate Ltd English Greyhound Derby. Paul Hennessy had triallers earlier in the week and Graham Holland sends runners over this afternoon including Swords Style. He has been keeping solid company on home soil, unbeaten in the Tote Gold Cup until a rough ride in the final saw him finish fifth. That level of form makes him the one to beat.
Another strong chance for Holland is Gaytime Joachim in the race prior. He has not got the same level of form in the book as Swords Style but he has been ticking over nicely with wins at Cork and Shelbourne in recent weeks. He has a decent mix of early pace and stamina which should mean that Towcester will be the type of track that plays perfectly to his strengths. 
Newinn Tonic has been electric from these boxes the last couple of weeks, producing a pair of Derby trial stakes wins in the process. She is back in against her own sex this afternoon, and although she has a different trap and some early pace to clear on her inside, it looks a suitable opportunity for her to bring up the hat-trick.