THINGS GETTING SERIOUS IN THE DERBY

Ian Fortune

For the first time in this year’s Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby, as with any other, all of the remaining greyhounds will be in action on the same night for the first time in tonight’s third round at Shelbourne Park.

The incredible depth in this year’s classic is very evident when you look through the eight heats, although Coolavanny Hoffa shines like a beacon as the one to beat. He faces yet another pretty straightforward task in Heat 4 but the same can’t be said for his main rivals in the outright betting with each of the remaining seven heats looking wide open.  

A heat by heat guide to tonight’s session:

A WONDERFUL CLASH TO START

The evening’s action gets underway with a wonderfully intriguing contest.

The eye is understandably drawn to the inside duo, Sober Glory and Bobsleigh Dream. The duo have disputed favouritism all week and that will likely continue right up to the off.

Much will depend on whether Sober Glory can hold his rivals into the turn. If doing so, he is sure to make a bold bid but Bobsleigh Dream is twice a classic winner for a reason. Few can match her for pace and power and she is selected to get her neck in front in the latter stages.

If the big two were to fluff their lines, Tommy Hewick has possible pace-setter claims. He is running out of his skin at the moment and could get first run on the likes of Music Glideaway and Storys Cashout. He is seen as the main danger to the big two but the nod remains with Bobsleigh Dream to claim another memorable success.

LAHDEDAH HAS THE DRAW

The second of this evening’s heats is right up there with the best contests in this year’s Derby with three of the six amongst the top ten in the sponsor’s betting for Derby glory.

De Lahdedah is the shortest priced of the trio at 12-1 and he has the best of the draw in trap one.

He missed the start and had to work hard to even qualify last week but looks certain to leave that display behind him. If returning to his fast-starting ways, he could easily get first run on his rivals into and around the turn.

Both Undisputed and Another Holiday can go up fast but they are drawn well off the fence and needs to go up at least a length faster than De Lahdedah to turn in front. That is a big ask. Both Bens Teddy and Clonroosk Sydney will be going as fast as any from the second turn but need to come away racing, while the progressive Newinn Port needs another career best effort to land a blow.      

One suspects a return to red could see the best from De Lahdedah and he is a confident choice to lead home a talented group of rivals. The race for the remaining qualifying places is wide open.

JUNIOR JUST GETS THE NOD

There are plenty of questions to be answered in Heat 3 where Trinity Junior, Ballymac Walt, Mr Chelm and Hawkfield Blue will all have their supporters.

Champion Stakes winner Trinity Junior went up fast to set a strong gallop last time only to fade in the latter yards.

Haad that contest lasted another ten strides, he would have crashed out of the competition. He remains a leading hop for Derby glory, however, and will no doubt head the betting. If he is to justify his market position, an early advantage seems imperative.

Mr Chelm has been showing all sorts of speed down the back straight and is no doubt as fast as ever but must find his trapping boots. It seems only a matter of time before he gets loose into the turn and he would likely increase his advantage to the third turn if doing so. For that reason, he is seen as a serious player.

Champion Plate winner Ballymac Walt was lengths faster than his rivals to halfway last week but failed to hold a clear advantage, eventually going down by almost four lengths. He must again hit the front early and stay on better to return to winning ways.

The same can be said for Hawkfield Blue. He is very fast but must turn in front to threaten. It’s a very tricky contest and the temptation was to select Mr Chelm but the pin eventually fell on Trinity Junior. But for tiring last weekend, he would be unbeaten in the Derby and has been in the form of his career. He can lead home Mr Chelm and Ballymac Walt.

HOFFA TOO HOT

Coolavanny Hoffa hasn’t needed to be at his very best in his two previous wins but he has still been so impressive in despatching his rivals.

Expect another exhibition from the Michael O’Donovan trained superstar in Heat 4. 

With Callaway Masters likely to edge in early, Coolavanny Hoffa will have plenty of room to get up to full stride into the turn and he is expected to go clear. Bockos Crystal tied up last week but is now fourteen weeks out of season and will likely come on for her latest effort.

She is in need of plenty of luck to worry the favourite but can make the frame, while it would be no surprise if Capitan Garfio and the aforementioned Callaway Masters got involved either. But the choice for third is Seven Beach. He again wears the red jacket of trap one and, were he to come away on terms, could turn second.

Coolavanny Hoffa is currently around the 3-1 mark for outright glory. If he produces what he is capable of, his price could be even shorter in the morning, especially if one or two of the bigger names exit in more competitive heats.

MOFO TO TURN CLOSER

Bitch of the Year Raha Mofo will be a warm favourite in Heat 5 but the layers may choose to take her on after her latest defeat.

That could prove to be a foolish decision but an understandable one given her style of racing. If anything, she was too well away last week, finding traffic on the turn.

Tonight, her supporters will be hoping she can turn a little closer in a contest that isn’t bursting with early speed. Droopys Bro has an ideal draw on the rail and will have support, as will Glengar Martha. A 28-1 winner in red-hot company last week, she won’t be anyway near that price and, were she to repeat her latest form, would be a big player.

Burj Khalifa has an ideal draw on the fence but must show more urgency at traps, Millridge Levi has fine pace throughout but needs a slick exit from three, while Mcneill will finish fast. If Raha Mofo manages to turn close to the pace, it would be very difficult to contain her and for that reason she gets the nod, just ahead of the rapidly progressive and strong running Droopys Bro. Glengar Martha and Burj Khalifa are also respected in what looks a pretty competitive contest.

SCAGLIETTI FACING HIS TOUGHEST TEST

Scaglietti has been one of the undoubted stars of the Derby thus far and many will expect him to continue his winning ways in Heat 6 but this is a tougher test for the Pat Guilfoyle trained star with Ballymac Marino, Undulation and Jetara to contend with.

Scaglietti has dominated after a flying start in both his two Derby outings and will bid to do the same again this evening, although he has more early paced rivals to contend with on this occasion. Importantly, they are all on his right side. Should Scaglietti produce another fast start, he could easily go on to justify favouritism but Ballymac Marino and Jetara, in particular, are capable of going up fast. Undulation can also break smartly although she is more of an all-rounder. If she is to score, she will need a flying exit from trap five.

Jetara and Ballymac Marino look more likely to challenge Scaglietti to the turn but the likelihood is the last named will turn in front. If doing so, he would take some catching. Ballymac Marino is a serious rival and were he drawn inside Scaglietti, may well have been the selection but on this occasion is chosen to come home in second. Undulation can outstay Jetara to take third.

KOBE DUE A START

Heat 7 is quite the conundrum with any number of possible outcomes.

So much will depend on whether Clona Duke can start on terms from trap two. If doing so, he is likely to take some stopping but any errors, however small, could prove costly with The Other Kobe likely to edge inwards from trap three.

Ballyhimkin Rex is running very well and has a decent draw on the fence but he too needs to show urgency at traps. Well Met will likely go up fast from four and has to be seen as a possible pace-setter on current form, while the immensely fast Ryhope Beach could find the race being run to suit.

While strong claims should be made for Clona Duke, The Other Kobe just about gets the nod. He has been running without making one of his famed flying starts. If he were to come away racing, he will edge across to the fence but has the speed to get loose. In such an open contest, he just gets the nod to lead home Clona Duke and Ryhope Beach.

TREATY TO TRIUMPH

The absence of Droopys Got It in the final heat is obviously a disappointment but the extra space could favour Clonbrien Treaty on the wide outside.

The Kirby champion was electric last week, showing exceptional early speed to go clear. He still needs to sort out his trapping but it was wonderful to see him in full stride.

A week on, he again wears the stripes and need only get the better of Droopys Nice One into the turn to find himself in pole position as none of the inside trio seem to have the early speed to match him. Droopy Nice One is running at the top of her game at present and has wonderful pace and power but she needs a flying start to contain Clonbrien Treaty into the turn.

Romeo Magico is perhaps the value alternative. The 2022 English Derby champ still has huge pace but hasn’t been blessed with luck in recent outings. A rails pitch with the two stayers, Threesixfive and Hanover Phantom, on his immediate outside could play to his strengths but he too needs to find his landing gear.

In short, if Clonbrien Treaty comes away on terms, he should have too much pace for his rivals and is selected to come home clear of Droopys Nice One and Romeo Magico.