GRAHAM HOLLAND, the County Tipperary-based Englishman who has actually two times won Towcester's English Greyhound Derby, began his preparation for an attack on this year's Classic with a three-pronged raid 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 particular capturing the eye on his very first look at the circuit.

Holland, who has yet to finalise his full Towcester raiding celebration, stated of last month's Tote Gold Cup finalist: "He absolutely flew out [3.75 sec sectional] and I believe if anything he caught the hare motorist out.

"He was three lengths clear going into the bend but came out of it second as he moved off towards the hare. He ran all right after that behind the winner [Kevin Hutton's Rebel Alaska] and it was excellent to provide all a look round.

"I'm delighted that Towcester have actually brought the brand-new traps in. I have actually flagged that as an issue for several years now and it's good to see that things are being rectified there by the brand-new management at the track.

"I was likewise pleased to see Towcester maintain the competition this year under Mike Davis. I'm not persuaded that the new circuit built at Dunstall Park is ideal for the Derby. You need a proper 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 ending up 2nd, subsequent 2025 Shelbourne champion Cheap Sandwiches running 4th and Bombay Pat also reaching the decider.

The latter is presently recovering from a major injury which required an operation and plate placed, however Holland described himself as "confident" that his two Shelbourne superstars may yet make a return for another fracture at the English crown.

"They have actually both had concerns, however we're working away in your home and I'm delighted with how they're going," he stated. "I could not state for particular today that they'll be coming over but if things continue to advance then we have actually got a chance.

"Bombay Pat was fortunate to be alive after his injury, but he's doing well after the operation and we'll most likely attempt him with a number of bitches when the time's right."

Sunday's runners took a trip over with Holland's partner Nicky and the team will once again be lodging at the kennels of Kent-based trainer Jamie Kingsley for their Classic campaign.

Holland, who was at home supervising his kennel's weekend runners in Ireland that included a hat-trick of winners in the second round of Limerick's distinguished Kirby memorial, stated: "Nicky took a trip over on her own with the pet dogs and all worked out in terms of the journey and settling in at Jamie's base.

"When it comes to the Kirby, the group ran well and we've some nice pet dogs in there. With concerns to the Derby, if we're lucky adequate to get any through to the final at Limerick then there's no other way they 'd be heading over.

"The Kirby is a difficult competitors and just ends up a couple of weeks before the Derby begins. These are young pets so you don't wish to over do it with them."

The start of the Star Sports & Orchestrate Greyhound Derby is now just one month away, with the first-round action set to be run over three successive nights, beginning on Thursday, April 30, and runs through to the last on Saturday, June 6.