GRAHAM HOLLAND, the County Tipperary-based Englishman who has 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 2 seconds in Gaytime Joachim and Swords Style, with the latter in specific standing out on his very first look at the circuit.

Holland, who has yet to settle his full Towcester raiding party, said 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 chauffeur out.

"He was 3 lengths clear entering into the bend however came out of it 2nd as he moved off towards the hare. He ran well enough after that behind the winner [Kevin Hutton's Rebel Alaska] and it was good to offer them all a look round.

"I'm delighted that Towcester have brought the brand-new traps in. I've flagged that as a concern for lots of years now and it's good to see that things are being put right there by the brand-new management at the track.

"I was likewise pleased to see Towcester keep the competitors this year under Mike Davis. I'm not convinced that the new circuit developed at Dunstall Park is best for the Derby. You require an appropriate 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 in 2015's final won by Patrick Janssens' Droopys Plunge, with his 2024 Irish Derby hero Bockos Diamond completing second, subsequent 2025 Shelbourne champion Cheap Sandwiches running fourth and Bombay Pat also reaching the decider.

The latter is currently recovering from a serious injury which demanded an operation and plate placed, however Holland explained himself as "confident" that his two Shelbourne superstars might yet make a return for another crack at the English crown.

"They've both had problems, but we're working away at home and I'm delighted with how they're going," he stated. "I could not state for particular today that they'll be coming by however if things continue to progress then we've got a possibility.

"Bombay Pat was lucky to be alive after his injury, but he's doing well after the operation and we'll probably try him with a couple of bitches when the time's right."

Sunday's runners travelled over with Holland's wife Nicky and the group will when 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 which included a hat-trick of winners in the second round of Limerick's prestigious Kirby memorial, stated: "Nicky travelled over on her own with the pet dogs and all worked out in regards to the journey and settling in at Jamie's base.

"As for the Kirby, the team ran well and we have actually some good canines therein. With concerns to the Derby, if we're fortunate sufficient to get any through to the final at Limerick then there's no way they 'd be heading over.

"The Kirby is a difficult competition and just completes a couple of weeks before the Derby starts. These are young dogs so you do not 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 final on Saturday, June 6.