2026 English Greyhound Derby Betting Guide: Tips, Prices and Contenders

The English Greyhound Derby is the most prestigious race in UK greyhound racing, held annually at Towcester . The six-week knockout draws the best hounds from across the UK and Ireland , culminating in a six-dog final worth £125,000 to the winning connections.

The reigning champion is Droopys Plunge , trained by Patrick Janssens . The 10/1 shot won the 2025 final at Towcester , with Bockos Diamond finishing second and De Lahdedah third.

EGD Schedule

2026 English Greyhound Derby: Full Schedule

Outright Odds

2026 English Greyhound Derby Outright Odds

EGD Favourites

English Greyhound Derby Favourites

Epic Ace

The 4/1 outright favourite heading into the quarter-finals is Epic Ace , the John Kennedy -trained Irish raider who has been the subject of a dramatic market move in the last few days. Available at double-digit odds as recently as this week, he has been backed heavily on the strength of his performances through three rounds, including equaling the track record with a stunning 28.37sec in round two.

When on song, Epic Ace is undoubtedly one of the fastest greyhounds in the UK and Ireland . The key question going into the quarter-finals is whether he can break consistently from the traps and when he does, the raw pace he possesses means he is almost impossible to beat. His performances through three rounds have put connections in a strong position at the business end of the competition.

It will likely depend on what he does in the first two seconds of the race.

Epic Ace @ 4/1

Ballymac Duffle

Ballymac Duffle

Ballymac Duffle is second in the market at 5/1 having been pushed off the top of the market following the draw. Unbeaten through three rounds, breaking the track record twice along the way, Liam Dowling 's charge arrives at the quarter-finals in the form of his life.

Trained by Liam Dowling , who knows Towcester better than almost anyone, Ballymac Duffle was only having his eighth career start when he produced that stunning first-round display. He is the litter-brother of Ballymac Ralf , also still in the competition, and is owned and trained by Dowling himself, the same handler who had De Lahdedah win the 2024 final.

What makes Ballymac Duffle so exciting is that he is still raw and improving with every single run at Towcester . He broke the track record in round one with 28.37 before going even faster with 28.31 in round two, and has since won his third-round heat in 28.75 to go into the quarter-finals as a perfect three from three. There is still likely more to come from this lightly raced, improving hound, and at 5/1 he represents a serious chance of glory.

A dog still learning his craft but already setting records, if Ballymac Duffle can navigate Saturday night he will be a leading contender for the title. Every run he produces suggests the ceiling has yet to be found.

Ballymac Duffle @ 5/1

Ballymac Deniro

Ballymac Deniro

Ballymac Deniro enters the quarter-finals at 8/1 and represents outstanding each-way value for punters looking beyond the market leader. A litter-brother to both Ballymac Duffle and Ballymac Ralf , he arrives at Towcester with an impressive pedigree and has shown real quality throughout the competition.

Trained in the same powerful Dowling yard, Ballymac Deniro has handled Towcester 's bends with authority and has the early pace to trouble any rival. His performances have been consistent, and he arrives at the quarter-final stage in excellent shape.

At 8/1, Ballymac Deniro is a genuinely competitive price for a dog with his class and connections. With the Dowling team already holding the favourite in Ballymac Duffle , connections will be hoping at least one of the siblings can go all the way to the final on Saturday, 6 June .

Ballymac Deniro @ 8/1

Ballymac Ralf

Ballymac Ralf

Ballymac Ralf is the third of the celebrated Dowling siblings still in the 2026 Derby and goes into the quarter-finals at 8/1. His presence alongside Ballymac Duffle and Ballymac Deniro means the Dowling yard have a remarkable grip on the competition at this stage.

Ballymac Ralf has shown progressive form throughout the competition, after clocking 28.81 in the opening round when beaten a HD by Priceless Romeo . He's gone even stronger since winning his heats in 28.47 and 28.36 with authority and demonstrating he is no mere makeweight alongside his better-fancied siblings. He handles Towcester 's long run to the first bend well and has the ability to quicken off the bend.

At 8/1, Ballymac Ralf represents solid each-way value. Should either of his litter-brothers encounter traffic or a poor draw, Ballymac Ralf is perfectly capable of stepping into the spotlight himself at the business end of the competition.

Ballymac Ralf @ 8/1

Proper Heiress

Proper Heiress , 10/1, is the leading home hope and GBGB Greyhound of the Year. The Mark Wallis -trained hound has been flawless through the opening two rounds of the 2026 Derby , winning both heats impressively. He is the best chance of an English trainer winning this event since Thorn Falcon won in 2021 and is the most consistent greyhound in the competition so far.

The son of Droopys Sydney and Powerful Mush has built an exceptional CV: the 2024 Coral Olympic , the 2025 Ladbrokes Winter Derby at Monmore , the Juvenile Championship at Towcester , and, more recently, the Arena Racing Company Kent Plate Final runner-up spot at Central Park behind Scooby The Lady in March, a deliberate prep run ahead of this year's Classic. Three from three in this year's Derby , he has won every heat impressively in 28.56, 28.52 and 28.79 and arrives at the quarter-finals in the form of his life.

His form in 2026 has been sensational, with just one defeat coming in the Arena Racing Company Kent Plate Final . The early pace he consistently finds is his greatest weapon around Towcester 's bends. At 10/1, he is the clear best hope of an English winner and represents England 's best shot at reclaiming this title.

Proper Heiress @ 10/1

Scooby The Lady

Scooby The Lady

Scooby The Lady , 10/1, is the dark horse of the quarter-finals. Trained by Richard Rees , she arrived at the Derby as the reigning Arena Racing Company Kent Plate champion, the very race in which she beat Proper Heiress into second. Her class on fast ground at Central Park was obvious, and she has since proved equally adept around Towcester , winning her third-round heat in 28.58.

Scooby The Lady is not the flashiest name in the market, but she has earned her place at the quarter-final stage through sheer consistency clocking 28.71 in third for the first-round before winning in 28.58 and 28.73. She already has form over Proper Heiress and has handled Towcester 's bends comfortably at every stage.

At 10/1, she is a fair price for a dog who is proven at the track and already has a victory over the leading home fancy on her CV. A strong quarter-final run could see her price tumble further heading into the semi-finals.

Scooby The Lady @ 10/1

*Prices are subject to fluctuation.

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