A REAL SENSE OF JEOPARDY AS DERBY CONTINUES AT SHELBOURNE
Ian Fortune
With each week, the sense of jeopardy increases in the BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby.
Tonight, as the remaining 23 competitors arrive on track, each and every member of their support team would take third spot in tonight’s quarter finals.
Ultimately, only twelve will progress and there will be great disappointment and excitement in equal measure as the drama unfolds on the track. The undoubted clash of the third round was that of the UK’s best Proper Heiress and one of the very best on these shores, Cheap Sandwiches. Tonight, the pair have been kept apart and each is set to start odds-on for their respective assignments.
On top of the Derby action, there will also be huge interest in the second round of the Michael Fortune Memorial Derby Plate. Below is a blow-by-blow guide to the evening’s action.
SANDWICHES CAN ATONE FOR LATEST DEFEAT
Cheap Sandwiches may have suffered defeat last weekend but looked sharper and he has the perfect opportunity to return to winning ways in the opening heat.
The 2024 runner-up will be odds-on to oblige and should he start on terms from trap five, is likely to go to the front early.
Standing in his way are some talented rivals, although none can boast the CV of the favourite. From the draw, Paul Hennessy’s Priceless Romeo and Lennies Dream are more than capable of playing a part. They race from traps one and two and need only concentrate on going up as fast as they can.
In contrast, Callaway Five in trap three and Unanimous leo in four will need to be at their very sharpest in the early yards. The latter was an impressive third round winner, shooting from the same trap to make every inch.
The presence of Cheap Sabndwiches is a concern for him as he would be vulnerable if faailing to dictate. Droopys Deploy completes the line up in the stripes and would be aided by any traffic on his inner. He will stay on well but may need to show more urgency into the bend to emerge a contender.
In truth, Cheap sandwiches really should have too much for his rivals. He is chosen to take charge into the corner before going on to see off the well-housed Priceless Romeo and Lennies Dream.
STUD TO IMPRESS AGAIN
The absence of Tarsna Maasai from Heat 2 is clearly a disappointment but, given his price, it won’t have much of an effect on the betting market with Ballymac Stud set to start favourite just ahead of magical Mag and Shanahee Boomer.
This is a truly fascinating contest with the opening five strides of great significance. Both Magical Mag and Shanahee Boomer are really fluent from boxes and are certain to race prominently but if Ballymac Stud were to match them from boxes, he would quickly emerge as the one to beat.
Blessed with terrific early speed, Liam Dowling’s hugely exciting youngster would be very difficult to contain if left alone in the first few strides. He displayed his awesome pace and potential in the third round when shooting to the front on the corner before running out a comfortable winner.
It would be no surprise to see him repeat that level of form or, indeed, go even faster. For that reason, he is selected to come home in front. As for Magical Mag and Shanahee Boomer, both are deserving of real respect given their current form but, if failing to dictate, would potentially find themselves under pressure with both Happy Jet and Blastoff Heffo certain to finish with purpose.
HEIRESS TO REMAIN UNBEATEN
Proper Heiress sent out a clear and very loud warning to his Derby rivals last week.
The UK’s best means business and after lowering the colours of Cheap sandwiches on his way to a brilliant victory in 29.27, he will start a deserving and hot favourite for Heat 3.
The Mark Wallis trained star seems to have everything, trapping ability, early speed, pace down the back and strength. That bodes well for his Derby challenge, although he can’t take the foot off the pedal tonight.
He may have a kind draw on the fence and is certainly the one to beat, but nothing will come easy, especially if failing to hit the ground running. The presence of Singalong Curly on his right shoulder in two is a concern.
The latter now boasts a career record of five wins from six starts, each better than the previous. He posted a sizzling 3.33 sectional after a lightning fast start last week and could give the favourite plenty to think about in the opening exchanges. He is clearly a hugely exciting puppy for Pat Buckley and owner Gilbert Anderson and is greatly respected
The same can be said for his kennel companion Glengar Silent. He too has a massive future. He may still lack a yard of pace early but what he lacks to the corner he makes up for in the remainder of the contest. He charges through the gears down the back straight and stays on well. If the early pacers were to make any mistakes or get in each other’s way, he would be ready to pounce.
Cheque For Cash is also likely to attract some support. The Karol Ramsbottom trained star remains unbeaten in the Derby and comes into tonight’s contest in superb form. A trap four draw is a major worry but he has the early speed to overcome it.
Magical Sapphire is also in fine form and will surely stay on best of all but she really needs to be at her very sharpest in the early yards to land a blow. Phoenix Memphis completes the line-up. He may be available at a big price but is another with terrific early dash and it would be no surprise to see him figure.
It’s a fascinating contest but Proper Heiress has control of his own fate. If starting on terms, he would quickly seize control and is chosen to lead home the Pat Buckley trained pair of Glengar Silent and Singalong Curly.
PEST TO SOLVE RIDDLE
The final heat should offer a very fitting conclusion to the quarter final action.
The remarkable De Lahdedah will start favourite and is certain to have massive support. The evergreen son of Lenson Bocko has been running as well as ever, showing all the speed and strength needed to make a serious Derby challenge.
The draw is a concern for his many loyal followers, however. Housed in four, he needs to negotiate a clear passage into the back straight, something that has eluded him in recent outings. He will no doubt finish faster than any and will be very difficult to knock out of the frame but there is a strong chance one of his rivals will get loose on him.
Rural Pest is certainly one capable of doing so. So impressive in the early rounds of the Juvenile Derby, he has a near ideal draw in five. If producing one of his better starts, he could potentially set the pace into the back straight. In such circumstance, he would be very difficult to reel in.
ON the inside of the track, Ballyhooly Bruno has a good make-up in one, while Barefoot On Song is another that could run well at a decent price. She is a very natural starter and it would be no surprise to see her playing a big part.
Oreo Ollie has fine early speed and can race prominently from three and could yet have a big ay in the outcome with the Jack Kennelly trained star more than capable of holding up the likes of De Lahdedah and Rural Pest.
Coosane Pickles completes the line-up and is always popular with punters. A big finisher, she seems to be returning to form with each run and isn’t easily dismissed.
It really is a puzzle and Rural Pest is chosen to solve it at the expense of De Lahdedah and Barefoot On Song.
EXPECT ANOTHER MAGICAL DISPLAY FROM MAJOR
The three heats of the Michael Fortune Memorial Derby Plate will provide the perfect lead into the Derby action itself and it would be no surprise to see any of the three heats winners going as fast as the Derby contenders.
Magical Major will tart a red-hot favourite in the opening heat but those that have followed his career to date will b concerned about a trap four draw. It won’t be an issue if he tidies up his starting but that’s a big if.
Blessed with incredible pace, Pat Guilfoyle’s charge is set to develop into a superstar and is selected to come out in front, although any mistakes would leave the door open for Grouchos Hoffa and De Bono Lad.
SCHOLSEY TO REVERSE FORM WITH SIOUX
Sunshine Sioux found his trapping boots in the opening round and posted a sensational 29.25.
His reward is a kind draw on the fence in Heat 2. If repeating his latest slick exit, he would almost certainly emerge on top but Carrick Scholsey is ready to pounce. The latter was second to Sunshine Sioux last week and is the more likely favourite. If getting to the front early, he can reverse form with Sunshine Sioux. Ballinabola Jim is selected as the one to follow them home in third.
AXEL TO MAKE MOST OF DRAW
The final heat offers many possible outcomes, although the most likely is that Ballymac Axel returns to winning ways from a favourable draw in the stripes.
Easter Cup champion Hopes Teddy is the most likely pace-setter from two and must be respected but in a contest not bursting with early speed, Ballymac Axel can turn closer than in recent defeats. If doing so, he should prove too strong for Hopes Teddy and is selected to come home in front. Boylesports Blue is seen as a value alternative. With a clear run he too could have a big say.