How the 2022 Greyhound Derby final went down

The premier event of the British greyhound racing season has come and gone, with the final of the English Greyhound Derby having taken place. With over a month separating the heats of the first round from the final event, it’s a mouth-watering spectacle.

The tension and anticipation build over the weeks of the competition, as the event runs through the rounds, with so much for Betdaq greyhound betting fans to enjoy. After such a long build-up, the final didn’t disappoint. Taking place towards the end of an action-packed meeting at Towcester racecourse, it was Romeo Magico who delivered in a thrilling race to claim his place in history.

The atmosphere was electric, and the race more than lived up to expectation. Romeo Magico mistimed the start slightly, and it was Kildare who took the lead early on. Peter Cronin’s dog burst out of trap two, and it was between Kildare and Mickys Barret heading into the first turn.

Kildare headed off the Nottingham-trained hound, and kept the lead out of the early stages. However, Romeo Magico’s poor start worked in his favour. Sitting off the front in third place, he was able to pick his moment to attack. Through the opening turns, Kildare left a gap to the fence on the inside, and that was all Romeo Magico needed to make his move.

His turn of pace at the second turn was enough to put him ahead of Kildare, and he moved into the lead. Kildare pushed back, and continued to run strongly, the kind of spirited performance that would be expected from a dog highly regarded in the Betdaq greyhound tips. However, Romeo Magico led by three parts of a length into the third turn, and he looked nigh on unstoppable.

He showed tremendous form to take the last two bends in his stride, over a length clear as the race entered its final stages. He didn’t let up, and Romeo Magico powered home with a time of 28.95. Kildare’s impressive race finished at 29.09, while the rest of pack finished off the pace. Mickys Barrett wasn’t able to capitalise on a fast start, finishing at 29.30. Paul Hennessy’s pair of Priceless Jet and Hello Hammond, at 29.34 and 29.38, finished ahead of Savana Beau, who brought up the rear with a time of 29.44.

It was a fast final, and the crowd loved every second of it. Kildare pushing Romeo Magico all the way made it just the kind of race that’s so enthralling to the fans, but in the end it was Graham Holland’s hound that brought home the win. The decorated trainer has gone close to English Greyhound Derby success in the past, with the likes of Ballydoyle Valor and Clares Rocket, and has finally managed that final step.

Holland is part of a husband and wife team, and is rarely seen without his partner Nicky. It was only fitting that the two shared their moment together, and the pair seemed to be in disbelief after the race. Romeo Magico more than did them proud, however, and they should be delighted with both their dog’s race, and their own work in achieving this long-awaited win.

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