The 2021 Greyhound Derby Has Reached Its Semi-Final Stage
Attracting 188 entries and featuring a £250,000 prize pool the Star Sports Greyhound Derby could be classified as one of the UK’s biggest sporting events of 2021.
The Greyhound Derby is once again being held at Towcester ©GBGB
Just 12 greyhounds remain in the competition. Two semi-finals are set to take place on Saturday evening to see which of these will line-up in next weekend’s showpiece final. It features a £175,000 first prize and the first three home in both semi-finals will progress to the decider.
Deerjet Sydney is the defending champion; he is also the bookies favorite. This remarkably fast Irish-trained greyhound is the only dog to remain unbeaten in the competition.
The History of the Derby
The Greyhound Derby has a long history dating back to 1927. Apart from an interruption brought about by the second world war, it has taken place every year since its inauguration.
London’s White City was the race’s original home, but when that closed in 1984 the great race was transferred to Wimbledon. When Wimbledon Plough Lane Stadium had its appointment with a wrecking ball the Derby was then transferred to Towcester, a new venue within the grounds of the national hunt racecourse.
In something resembling a TV saga this venue hit troubles in late 2018 meaning the Derby was then transferred to Nottingham. After two editions of the race being run there, it is now back at Towcester which was rescued from receivers.
The great race was broadcast live on the BBC for decades until the state broadcaster pulled the plug in the mid-1980’s. SKY Sports later took over the broadcast and kept it for over 20 years. In 2021 you can watch the race live on SKY’s RPGTV Channel (channel 437) or via live streams available to UK and Irish customers of the bigger online bookmakers. The first Greyhound Derby semi-final gets underway at 9.09pm this Saturday.
Can Deerjet Sydney Do It Again?
The history books show this is a difficult title to defend but Westmead Hawk (2005-2006), Rapid Ranger (2000-2001), Patricias Hope (1972-1973) and Mick The Miller (1929-1930) are the four greyhounds who have successfully retained their crown.
If Deerjet Sydney, top-priced 11/4 with Unibet to win the competition, can prevail he will be unique by virtue of him taking the title at two different venues.
Deerjet Sydney is the bookies’ favorite to win the final of the Greyhound Derby ©GBGB
Five of the six runners in the first semi-final are trained in Ireland, this includes Deerjet Sydney. Half of the field in the second semi-final, where the competition’s second favourite, Knocknaboul Syd resides are also from the Emerald Isle.
Ironically, trainer Graham Holland, who trains two of Ireland’s representatives, is English. Furthermore, Patrick Janssens, who has three dogs left in the competition and represents the UK, is Belgian!
Wallis Is Not Expecting Any Upsets
But who will win Saturday night’s two semi-finals and go on to claim the coveted Greyhound Derby title? Who better to ask than Mark Wallis, the UK’s multiple champion trainer and twice winner of the Greyhound Derby.
Speaking exclusively to Online-Casinos.com news here is his opinion: “At the start of the competition it was 2/5 about an Irish trained winner of the competition. That price is now 1/9 and rightly so, their dogs have been a class apart from the outset.
“I can easily see the Irish having five of the six finalists and I think they will win both semi-finals. Trap 1 has been disastrous throughout the Derby but I firmly believe Deerjet Sydney can overcome that bogey box to win the first semi. The greyhounds to his outside are slow starters and while the race is packed with strong stayers, he should soon build up a long and unassailable lead.”
Odds-on Syd Is Improving
As for the second semi-final, due off at 9.27pm, Wallis believes Knocknaboul Syd is the one to beat. “He was the favourite at the start of the competition,” the trainer explains, “and I think he will be favourite again after the semi-finals.
“Knocknaboul Syd has improved as the competition has gone on. For his running style, he has a great draw in trap 4. I know tipping an odds-on shot is not original so, if you are looking for a forecast link, I’d suggest Bockos Belly (trap 2) or Gaytime Milo (trap 5) for second” Wallis concluded.
At the best current bookmaker prices, a £/€10 double on Mark’s two semi-final fancies will return £/€31.66. Many of the top bookmakers are offering ‘best odds guaranteed’ concessions on the Derby semi-finals, meaning potential returns could be greater.
