BetGoodwin and JR Racing step in to secure the Maiden Derby

TOWCESTER has confirmed that this year's Maiden Derby will go ahead as scheduled following a dual sponsorship agreement with BetGoodwin and the JR Racing Syndicate.

The 500m Category One competition is regarded as an important stepping stone to the Star Sports/TRC English Derby which follows on quickly, indeed the Patrick Janssens-trained Thorn Falcon completed the double in 2001.

It was won last year by Paul Hennessy's Irish raider Jaytee Etienne with the handler already eyeing up a repeat - his Lennies Desire has impressed in recent trials at the track.

The £10,000 competition, closes to entries next Wednesday with the event itself taking place over the next three Sundays, concluding with a final on 20th April.

It is restricted to greyhounds who have not won an open in the UK at time of closing, while international entries are not permitted to have scored at AA0 level in Ireland.

A Towcester spokesman said: "We would like to extend our thanks to the sponsors, in particular Julian Head of Goodwin Racing and Jack Russell of the JR Racing Syndicate."