Statistically speaking - a look at the round two Derby numbers

THE second round of the Star Sports/TRC English Greyhound Derby was generally a little more competitive, betting- and result-wise, than the first, with the favorites' strike rate down to 43.75 per cent from 48.43 for the opening skirmishes.

That was reflected in an average winning SP of 2.73, or just under 7/4, while only 4 of the 16 heats produced odds-on winners compared to 13 of 32 in round one.

However, somewhat counter-intuitively, the average winning distance increased from 2.09 lengths to 2.8 lengths reflecting the dominant nature of a number of the leading performances with Sole Mio's 6.5 lengths the biggest margin.

Average winning time was 10 spots faster at 28.91sec compared to 29.01sec in the opening round, and that despite a bigger proportion of the heats being run on minus going with Friday's races all rated -20.

Three more trainers won Derby heats - Tom Heilbron, Brendan Matthews and David Mullins - taking the overall total to 20 with Graham Holland leading the way with 10 wins pursued by Patrick Janssens on 7.

Round two Star Sports/TRC English Greyhound Derby stats

Overall Star Sports/TRC English Greyhound Derby stats