MORE FIREWORKS LIKELY IN BOYLESPORTS DERBY
Ian Fortune
It seems safe to expect more fireworks at Shelbourne Park this evening as the opening round of the Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby draws to a conclusion.
There were so many wonderful displays on Friday night and those journeying to the newly refurbished St Lotts Road venue will be praying for much of the same tonight.
Who can follow in the footsteps of Bockos Diamond, Carrick Aldo and Bombay Pat? There are plenty of candidates and, thankfully, the weather forecast is for moderate conditions, allowing our canine stars to shine brightly. The action gets underway at 7.34pm and an early arrival is recommended. Below is our heat-by-heat guide to this evening’s action.
MEMPHIS JUST GETS THE NOD
Heat 14, the first of tonight’s session, is a wide-open affair.
After winning the Laurels consolation and posting a rapid 28.03 in a recent trial. Droopys Supply has been installed the marginal favourite but slight preference is for Phoenix Memphis.
He has tremendous early speed and seems to have strengthened in recent times. The step up to 550yds can play to his strengths and he is a tentative selection to see off Droopys Supply. Castleivy Ginge, Ballymac Briar, Deeish Nora and Tivoli Milo all boast some superb also, meaning there is little room for error in what should be a fascinating contest.
CAN BOB STOP CHARLIE?
Tuono Charlie continues his bid for history in Heat 15 where he will attempt to claim a seventeenth successive victory, a sequence that goes all the way back to March.
He has been nothing short of sensational over six bends but tonight steps back in trip.
There is no doubt he has the pace, power and determination to maintain his winning ways but Boylesports Bob stands in his way. The English Derby runner-up is made for the 550yd trip at Shelbourne Park and was hugely impressive in his latest outing. He has a great draw in the stripes and will likely start favourite.
Throw in the high class Short Grip and the pacey duo of Poets Dawn and Scooby Pacemaker and it’s a tremendous contest to look forward to. Boylesports Bob is given the nod but don’t be surprised if Tuono Charlie keeps us dreaming.
FREDDIE TO FLY THE FLAG FOR THE UK
March On Freddie is the UK’s best chance of Irish Derby glory in many years.
Incredibly, the trophy hasn’t been won by a British trained runner since Toms The Best in 1997 but March On Freddie is far from a sightseer.
Twenty-four hours after his litter brother Bockos Diamond set the standard in the opening session, Freddie will bid to repeat that sort of run from an ideal draw in the stripes. There is no doubt the draw has been kind to the David Mullins trained star and he can take full advantage.
Miami King and Syd Zafiro are his nearest rivals in the market and both must be respected but if March On Freddie repeats his best UK form, he can dominate from early to emerge a good winner.
TRIBAL SYD TO PROVE TOO SLICK
Tribal Syd has had a year to remember, winning the Tipperary Cup and running supremely well in top company throughout.
He will relish the longer run to the turn in Heat 17 and is set to set a searing gallop.
In his only previous outing over the trip around Shelbourne Park he posted 16.83 to the third turn. That would have been fast enough to lead every contest in the 2023 Derby. Of his rivals, Faypoint Harvey is perhaps the main threat. A strong runner with a kind draw on the fence, he will be ready to pounce should the favourite make any mistakes. Elite Josh will stay on strongly and could emerge as the best of the remainder.
BLUE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF DRAW
Hawkfield Blue recently returned to his very best, scoring in 28.07 and 28.04 and the return to 550yds shouldn’t be an issue in Heat 18.
From an ideal draw on the fence, he is likely to start a warm favourite, although an early advantage is imperative.
He can’t afford any mistakes, however, as he faces some notable rivals including English Derby finalist Ballymac Gizmo, the hugely fast Yorkie Ollie, the powerful Deadly Disco and promising youngster Swords Don. Sundance Shirley is a non-runner and will be replaced by a reserve.
Of those taking on Hawkfield Blue, Yorkie Ollie and Deadly Disco could potentially offer the greatest threat. Deadly Disco will finish at speed and could attract some support after a recent 28.14 trial but Yorkie Ollie is the main danger. He looked a potential superstar in his early starts but has been out of luck recently. If he can recapture his best form, he would emerge as a serious player.
HARBOUR TO OVERPOWER HIS SISTER
Owen McKenna sends out littermates Neko Harbour and Grangeclare Lady in Heat 19.
The pair are out of former Derby champion Susie Sapphire and, much like their dam, have tremendous speed into the turn.
Grangeclare Lady is perhaps the more likely pace-setter but Neko Harbour may prove stronger in the second half of the contest. This is far from a two-dog affair with Scooby The Boss and Mustang fever also respected.
Mustang Fever recently won in 28.22 around Shelbourne and a trap five draw isn’t an issue, while Scooby The Boss is far from the finished article and remains open to much improvement. Ballyhooly Bruno is another worthy of a mention or Tom O’Neill. He won last time out in 29.77 and could take advantage of any traffic from a good draw.
LAHDEDAH TO STAKE HIS CLAIMS
English Derby champ De Lahdedah will be one of the hottest favourites of the night and is set to claim his first success since that famous night at Towcester in Heat 20.
Liam Dowling’s superstar is perfectly housed on the fence and is likely to have far too much for his rivals if starting on terms.
That’s not to say he won’t have a battle if he makes any mistakes. Dashing Toro and Ballinabola Jim are both powerful, determined trackers with the pace to get involved. The pair race from the outside boxes and are likely to make the frame if avoiding traffic.
De Lahdedah has the perfect draw, however. If coming away racing, he could send out a warning to those paying attention that he could be a big player in this Derby as he bids to become the first greyhound to win the Irish and English Derby in the same year.
KNOCKEEN TO DAZZLE
Knockeen Dazzler will have his first start for Pat Guilfoyle in Heat 21 and many will be expecting the Kirby Memorial champion to justify odds-on favouritism from a perfect draw in the outside box.
Blessed with tremendous early dash, he looks the likely pace-setter and would be a tough nut to crack if getting loose into the back straight.
Rapido Bob was in fine form when last seen last month and could emerge as the main threat. A good starter with the strength to see out 600yds, he has to be respected but he may struggle to match Knockeen Dazzler for brute early speed. Arthur Cornflake is an interesting runner for Patrick Godfrey. The UK based tracker actually started his career at Shelbourne and looked a bright prospect when winning over 575yds in late May. He will appreciate the galloping nature of Shelbourne and could potentially secure qualification to the second round if avoiding traffic.
DOLLAR TO DELIVER
Graham Holland continues his pursuit of a record equalling fourth Irish Derby success in Heat 22 where Untold Dollar is set to start a hot favourite.
Holland has a remarkable first night in the Derby, sending out three wonderful heat winners and Untold Dollar is equipped to match his kennel companion.
An early season star on both sides of the Irish Sea, the Monmore Puppy Derby winner was brilliant in his latest victory at Shelbourne and could develop into a serious Derby contender. He is likely to go up fast from three and can turn in front.
Talented ladies Glengar Martha and Droopys Avatar are respected but neither can afford any mistakes. With Untold Dollar drawn on their inner, both would need to come through the bars to clear the bend. Untold Dollar is a confident selection to dominate.
EXPECT BORN TO PERFORM
The absence of Carrick Keano from Heat 23 leaves it a far more open affair.
Born To Perform won the first three starts of her career but is without a victory for almost nine months. If she finds a fast start from an inside draw, she could potentially get back to winning ways.
She has been running well, albeit a long way behind Bombay Pat in recent starts but she doesn’t mean anything of that standard tonight and that could make the difference. Bonkersinyonkers and Clonfert Annie are both talented and have the pace to play a part also but Born To Perform can get first run on both which may prove decisive.
TURBO AND CHOICE APPEAL
Heat 24 is quite a puzzle. Much will depend on which of the six can turn in front but one suspects that both Blackeyed Turbo and Deadly Choice will finish far faster than their rivals.
In Good Time has some superb form and is perhaps more likely to lead than most but he hasn’t won a race since July.
That win was a shorthead verdict over Knockeen Dazzler and that form could read very well should the latter do the business earlier on the card. Slight preference is for the outside duo, however. Blackeyed Turbo has shown all sorts of pace in her recent outings and is likely to absolutely motor from the second turn. Deadly Choice was a real eye-catcher in previous outings at Shelbourne and is also greatly respected. He too has massive pace from the second turn, while a recent 28.16 trials highlights his well-being. Of the others, Neon Lights rarely runs a bad race and could potentially make the frame but the nod goes to Blackeyed Turbo over Deadly Choice. Expect this contest to go right own to the wire.
TAYLOR TO SHOOT CLEAR AND HOLD ON
Recent Laurels third Romeo Taylor is long odds-on to set the pace in Heat 25 but the extra twenty-five yards will test the limits of his stamina.
He will be suited by the fact that the forecast has changed to dry, moderate conditions but he will need to build a clear advantage to halfway.
Even then, he may be all out to contain the likes of Juvenile Derby finalist and big finisher Hello Diego in the closing yards, while others like Droopys Roar, Quarry Boy and Prince Naseem all stay 550yd strongly. That’s not to mention the in-form Is She There. She is perhaps the most likely challenger to Romeo Taylor in the opening exchanges and could get first crack at the favourite if his stride were to shorten earlier than expected.
Given the form of Graham Holland and his many stars over the past twenty four hours, it would be unwise to side with anything other than Romeo Taylor but his supporters will be keeping a close eye on what is happening in behind him off the second turn. Hello Diego is seen as the main threat, although Is She There is also respected.
SHIVOO AND SANDWICHES TO END THE ROUND IN STYLE
There could be no better way to conclude the opening round action in the Boylesports Derby than with the clash of recent Laurels champion Crafty Shivoo and the brilliant Cheap Sandwiches.
The pair will absolutely dominate the market with each of their four rivals expected to start at double figure odds.
It’s difficult to disagree. Crafty Shivoo is a confirmed superstar. The 2023 Sporting Press Irish Oaks champion returns to Shelbourne and will have a mountain of support. Her pace and class is there for all to see but will her latest victory in terrible conditions in the Laurels decider leave a mark? If she is at anything short of her best, Cheap Sandwiches will be ready to pounce. The Graham Holland trained star is perfectly drawn, has been in magnificent form and has been campaigned around Shelbourne Park in recent weeks.
All this could perhaps give him a slight edge, although Crafty Shivoo is a class act and is not going to make life easy for her rival. The pair can race clear of their rivals, delivering a real spectacle in the process. No matter which of the duo comes out on top, both are capable of going deep into this Derby.