History will be made at Towcester on Saturday night when a field made up solely of Irish-trained runners will contest the 2026 English Greyhound Derby Final . Sadly, the line-up has been reduced from six to five due to the withdrawal of Lennies Tank through lameness, but an outstanding decider is still on the cards.
Here, we take a look at the remaining contenders in trap order, followed by our 2026 English Greyhound Derby Final prediction at the bottom:
Betting Odds
2026 English Greyhound Derby Final - Outright Odds
Dog | Outright Odds | Chance |
|---|---|---|
Ballymac Deniro | 15/8 | 34.8% |
Ballymac Duffle | 9/4 | 30.8% |
Ballymac Ralf | 4/1 | 20% |
Hackney Corner | 5/1 | 16.7% |
Lennies Eddie | 8/1 | 11.1% |
Where To Watch
Where To Watch
When: Saturday 6th June 2026, approximately 9:15 pm
Where to Watch: Streamed live on YouTube FREE on Gone to the Dogs
Venue: Towcester Racecourse
Final Preview
English Greyhound Derby Final: Runner by Runner Preview
Ballymac Duffle
Trap (1) Ballymac Duffle | Liam Dowling, Ireland
The early competition favourite and a record-breaker in the opening rounds, Ballymac Duffle broke the track record in the second round with a slick exit paving the way for a seven and a quarter lengths win in 28.31sec . That performance had connections dreaming of a first English Derby triumph and cemented his position at the top of the ante-post market for several weeks.
However, his early speed seemed to desert him in more recent rounds and his path to the final has been harder than anticipated. He found trouble in the quarter-finals and again in the semi-final, finishing four and a quarter lengths behind the brilliant Ballymac Deniro . That said, trainer Liam Dowling was in a confident mood at the trap draw, saying: "We wanted Duffle inside Ralf ; he is well drawn. Derby final night is a unique occasion, he is quite laid-back and powers home."
He is a litter-brother to Ballymac Ralf and is homebred by Liam Dowling , who holds him in the highest regard. From the coveted trap one on the inside rail, Duffle has a prime draw that will suit his running style perfectly. If he recaptures the blistering early pace that lit up the opening rounds, he is fully capable of causing an upset and should not be written off on the strength of a couple of below-par performances.
Ballymac Ralf
Trap (2) Ballymac Ralf | Liam Dowling, Ireland
Ballymac Ralf has been one of the most progressive and exciting stories of the 2026 Derby . A dog highlighted at in and around 25/1 in the ante-post market before the competition began, he has improved dramatically with each round, winning his third-round heat in a sharp 28.36sec and serving notice that he was a genuine contender for a place in the final.
His third-round performance was particularly impressive when making all to beat the re-opposing Hackney Corner , and the quarter-finals confirmed his status as a live title threat. In the semi-final, having been shuffled back to last at the bend, he stormed through in the manner of a dog with serious ability to claim his place in the final in a remarkable finish that underlined his toughness and determination.
He is a litter-brother to Ballymac Duffle and represents the second string of Dowling's powerful team. Trainer Dowling acknowledged at the draw that Ralf had run a super race to reach the final. His improving profile, proven ability to produce fast sectionals and the sheer trajectory of his form throughout this competition make him a compelling each-way proposition, and he may be the one most likely to cause a surprise among the Dowling trio.
Lennies Eddie
Trap (3) Lennies Eddie | Paul Hennessy, Ireland
Lennies Eddie has been a model of consistency throughout this year's Derby and is one of the best-credentialled runners in the field. He won his third-round heat in 28.66sec , trained by Paul Hennessy and owned by Lee Craze , and has produced a series of performances that underline his quality at every stage of the competition.
In the quarter-final, he ran an absolute blinder in second behind Ballymac Deniro , beaten only a length and a half as Deniro clocked 28.21sec . Hennessy , seeking his third English Derby having enjoyed previous wins at Wimbledon in 2016 and Nottingham in 2019, was full of praise after the semi-finals, saying: "He has held his ground at the bend tonight. It is a wonderful feeling, and it is even better as one gets older!"
A draw in the middle of the field in trap three gives him a fair chance of getting a clean run into the first bend. If Deniro has an off night from the traps, Lennies Eddie has the track craft, experience and pace to go close. He has been placed in every round bar one and represents the kind of reliable, honest competitor that can always find a way to be involved in the closing stages of a big final.
Hackney Corner
Trap (4) Hackney Corner | Pat Buckley, Ireland
Pat Buckley's sole representative in the final, Hackney Corner has been one of the most exciting runners throughout the entire competition. Bred by Thomas Leahy of Kilkenny and trained in Tipperary for the Hackney Boy Syndicate , he has combined lightly raced freshness with devastating speed at every stage of this Derby .
The second semi-final was decided by his stunning burst of pace, recording 28.34sec with a 3.73 sectional , the fastest first-bend time of the entire competition. He was soon clear and chased hard by Proper Heiress, but there was never any real danger. The semi-final was only his fifth outing since last November, and yet he produced the performance of a seasoned campaigner. Pat Buckley himself is no stranger to the Derby , having won the 2020 edition at Nottingham with Deerjet Sydney .
Drawn in trap four in the middle of the field, Hackney Corner has a very workable draw. His ability to dominate from the front has been evident throughout, and his sectional times suggest he has the raw speed to go clear before the field settles. At his current odds, he represents the most compelling each-way play in the market. His semi-final was the performance of a genuine champion in waiting, and he should not be underestimated on Saturday night.
Ballymac Deniro
Trap (5) Ballymac Deniro | Liam Dowling, Ireland
The dominant force in this year's competition, Ballymac Deniro has emerged as the standout performer of the 2026 Derby . The eye-catching last-to-first winner struck in the first round at Towcester , clocking 29.08sec on his Derby debut, before growing into the competition with each passing week and announcing himself as a genuine title contender when clocking a best-of-night 28.21sec in the quarter-finals.
The semi-final was the performance that truly set pulses racing. Deniro was soon clear after gaining a decisive early advantage, recording a stunning 28.15sec , just a single spot off the track record, with a 3.74sec sectional. He beat Lennies Eddie by nearly four lengths in a display that drew widespread admiration, with the Racing Post describing it as the second fastest run ever recorded at the venue.
Trained and owned by Kerry -based Liam Dowling , himself a winner of the English Derby with De Lahdedah in 2024, Deniro carries the weight of favouritism with genuine justification. His combination of raw early pace, proven ability to clock sub-28.20 and familiarity with Towcester makes him extremely difficult to oppose. The wide draw in trap five is the only slight concern, but his sectional times suggest he can overcome it. He heads into the final as the one to beat.
Best Bet & Forcast
Best Bet: Ballymac Deniro (Trap 5) @ 15/8
Ballymac Deniro is simply in a class of his own in this field.
His semi-final 3.74sec sectional is the kind of number that wins Derby finals, and the withdrawal of Lennies Tank from trap six means he should enjoy a considerably freer passage to the first bend than originally anticipated.
Trainer Liam Dowling knows this track better than almost anyone and will have him primed to the minute. At 15/8 , back him to give Dowling back-to-back English Derby titles.
Forecast: 5, 1, 4
Ballymac Deniro to use his devastating early pace to overcome the wide draw and post another winning time that confirms his status as one of the very best greyhounds seen at Towcester .
Ballymac Duffle to make the most of the coveted trap one draw, finding his rails position and finishing powerfully to claim second spot under a confident ride from connections who know this track better than most.
Hackney Corner to complete the forecast with another brave performance, his semi-final sectional marking him out as a genuine contender for at least a share of the prize money.
Bet on English Greyhound Derby Odds
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Bill is as passionate about Irish football as they come, with an agonising longing to see his country grace a World Cup stage. A League of Ireland devotee and lifelong Man United fan, he knows better than most what sporting heartbreak feels like, and brings that perspective to the BOYLE Sports Blog. With roots in greyhound racing and a curiosity spanning politics, snooker, WWE and beyond, there is rarely a sporting conversation he cannot add to.
