Honours even numbers-wise but an Epic run sees clock go again

THE 2026 Star Sports & Orchestrate English Greyhound Derby is down to the final 24 and could not be more even in terms of representation between the UK and Ireland.

Not only do both countries have 12 greyhounds each through but a 5-3 score in favour of Ireland in terms of 3rd round heat victories means the overall competition tally is now 26 apiece in that regard too.

John Kennedy's Epic Ace took star billing when reclaiming the 500m Towcester track record from Liam Dowling's Ballymac Duffle, who had done likewise a round earlier but this time had to settle for a dramatic last-to-first victory.

Will the new mark of 28.14sec stand the test now? What will the semi-finals bring for the big guns representing both sides of the Irish Sea?

Jonathan Kay from sisracing.tv and leading Irish commentator Ian Fortune are keeping tabs on each country's progress and, in episode four, there is an acknowledgement that this weekend's quarter-finals are brilliantly set-up but also offer jeopardy for one and all due to the strength in depth remaining.