Tomcat sharpens his claws for Derby with Breeders strike

ROMEO TOMCAT underlined his Classic credentials with another major success at Nottingham on Monday night to remain on course for what connections hope will be a serious tilt at this year’s English Greyhound Derby at Towcester.

The Dave Firmager-bred-and-owned star, sent off 6-4 second favourite for Monday’s BGBF British Breeders Stakes final behind kennelmate Romeo Ability, bounced back from two defeats en route to the 500m clash in superb style, adding another Category One crown to his CV with a 29.17sec (+40) success.

What made the run all the more meritorious was the fact he had Angie Kibble’s Swindon Produce champion Eagles Respect matching strides as they entered the back, but proceeded to pull away from a dog who has proven himself a talented stayer of late.

Romeo Tomcat won by three and a half lengths from Kibble’s dog, with his own kennelmate Romeo Empire recovering well from an early bump to finish third for the second year running.

Janssens said: “I said in the build up to the final that the focus was on Towcester in June for Tomcat, but it’s great that he’s come out and won what was a strong final for Dave, Nicola ([wife] and family.

“I seriously think this dog is fast enough to win a Derby and we’ll be looking to get him to Towcester ready to do his best. They’ve just changed the starting traps there, so I’d definitely want to give him a trial out of the new boxes.

“Empire and Ability will be going down the same route as part of the Derby team, but we’re looking at different options for Romeo Steel.”

The last-named successfully defended his BGBF British Bred Midlands Sprint on Nottingham’s card to give Firmager and Janssens a double, and his trainer said: “He’s top-class and really clicked last year. He’s won all five races this term and was very professional again.

“We know he doesn’t stay 500m, and we also know he doesn’t like Monmore which ruled him out of the Winter Derby. He’s a 480m dog, so options are limited. We’ll give him a look at Dunstall Park as the Laurels remains an option, while the races he won last year like the Yarmouth Derby and Steel City Cup at Sheffield are targets.”

Monday’s Breeders victory maintained Firmager’s fine record in the event. He won it as a trainer in 2012 with Romeo Recruit, while others he has bred to win the crown include Romeo Rumble in 2019 for John Mullins, the brilliant Romeo Command in 2023 for Janssens and 2025 hero Romeo Control, who won for Diane Henry.

Speaking trackside, he said of Romeo Tomcat: “It was just his third run back after a couple of months off and he’s broken better tonight and put in the fastest time of the competition. 

“The Derby is the focus now. He knows Towcester pretty well and won’t have too much of a workout before the Derby starts, perhaps a trial and a race, but I’ll speak to Patrick and we’ll make a plan.”

Another greyhound with likely Towcester ambitions took the other final on the card as Esther Driver’s No Better Feelin got the better of main market rival Newinn Oscar in the three-runner Arc Standard decider.

The winner, a semi-finalist in last year’s Derby, saw off Nathan Hunt’s in-form dog by almost two lengths in 29.76sec (+40). 

Betting
Star Sports/Orchestrate Greyhound Derby (best prices): 14 Ballymac Setanta, 16 Proper Heiress, Magical Luka, 20 Cheap Sandwiches, Romeo Tomcat, Bockos Diamond, 25 Ballymac Deniro, Underground Gold, Strike It Skye, 28 bar

Want top greyhound betting advice and the latest greyhound racing news? Make sure you take a look at Racing Post Greyhounds for more

Commercial notice: This article contains affiliate links. Offers are handpicked and come from operators our experts have first-hand experience of. Opening an account via one of these links will earn revenue for the Racing Post, which will be used to continue producing our award-winning coverage of horseracing and sports betting.