IRISH GREYHOUND DERBY PREVIEW: This Friday sees the start of the Irish Greyhound Derby from Shelbourne Park. Barry Caul previews the first twelve heats on Friday.
144 entries went into the drum at Shelbourne Park on Monday morning for the first round draw, across Friday and Saturday, 24 opening-round heats will be run, with some of Ireland and the UK’s top greyhounds on display. Friday’s card features reigning champion Boccos Diamond, last year’s runner-up Cheap Sandwiches, and a host of classic winners, big finishers, and potential dark horses.
Here’s a detailed look at each of Friday night’s 12 heats from Barry Caul.
Heat 1
The curtain rises with last year’s runner-up Cheap Sandwiches (T6) for Graham Holland. A perfect draw out wide makes him a strong fancy to get punters off to a winning start. He’s consistent, breaks well, and should have too much class.
Main threats come from Flight Club, who chased home the St. Leger winner recently, and Darraghs Sidney, who knows his way around here. Ballyhimikin Rio and Hackney Tango have good form in the book but may struggle to live with the favourite.
Selection: Cheap Sandwiches
Heat 2
A competitive heat with several strong contenders. Snazzy Boss (T6) could have the early advantage. He’s blessed with early speed and may get a clear run with not much pace inside him. If he leads, he’ll be hard to peg back.
Toolmaker Josepe and Lennys Madge are the dangers, both strong finishers with plenty of proven class. Drogon (T4), a Dundalk regular, deserves respect for consistency but might find this a step up in grade.
Selection: Snazzy Boss
Heat 3
One of the races of the night. Droopys Patriot (T2), second in the Irish Sprint Cup, has the early gears to dominate and could go far in this Derby.
The opposition is fierce. Lemon Joey (T6), a Produce Stakes winner, always commands respect. Borna Thyme (T5) won the recent Tipperary Cup, while Westway Rossa (T4) is a high-class bitch with proven ability at Shelbourne. Add in Faypoint Harvey and Stefan’s Goal, both dangerous if they turn handy, and this is a real cracker.
Selection: Droopys Patriot
Heat 4
Cheque For Cash (T1), runner-up in the Champion Stakes, leads a strong hand for Karol Ramsbottom. He’s ideally drawn and could well bounce back to form. Kennelmate Harry Houdini (T2) has been catching the eye in recent runs and can’t be dismissed.
The Other Wild (T6) is hugely consistent with five wins from seven starts and will be dangerous if he traps level. Others with chances include In Good Time, a former track record holder, and Braemore Dice, who is better than recent runs suggest.
Selection: Cheque For Cash
Heat 5
The headline act of the night. Defending Derby champion Boccos Diamond (T6) makes his seasonal reappearance. Trials suggest he’s not quite at peak yet, but his quality is undoubted, and his connections will be delighted to see him come through safely.
Epic Ace, a finalist in the Irish Sprint Cup, poses a real threat if trapping on terms. Shanahee Boomer, the Maiden Derby winner, is improving rapidly for Kieran Lynch. Ballymac Lake (T3) is another with strong claims, while Harlequin Gee-Up and Malanishi Jet could inject early pace.
Selection: Boccos Diamond
Heat 6
Bombay Pat looks a serious Derby contender and could take high position in the outright market if winning impressively again. His recent 29.32 return was eye-catching.
Rivals include Toolmaker King (T4) and Southwood Stan, both noted for early pace but likely to edge inward, perhaps leaving the door open for Pat on the run to the opening corner. Hello Diego will be running on as always and could fill the forecast.
Selection: Bombay Pat
Heat 7
One of the night’s hottest contests. UK challenger Proper Heiress makes his Shelbourne debut and faces a baptism of fire.
Ballinabola Joe (T6), brilliant earlier in the year, still has plenty to give. Funintherun is as dependable as they come in big competitions. Phoenix Memphis impressed last time in 28.20, in a slightly lower grade.
But the one to watch could be Sunshine Sioux (T1), drawn ideally on the inside, The son of a former derby winner he could surprise a few at a decent price.
Selection: Sunshine Sioux
Heat 8
Last year’s English Derby winner De Lahdedah is back. While age isn’t on his side, he remains a potent force and shouldn’t be underestimated.
Ballyhooley Bruno, the Shelbourne Open 600 winner, knows how to grind it out around here and will be finishing fastest of all.. Oreo Ollie (T3) has recent winning form and could be underestimated. Solo Mio and Coosane Pickles are both lightly raced recently but both have enormous engines. The majority of this field will surely improve for this outing and it could be the right time to catch Oreo Ollie.
Selection: Oreo Ollie
Heat 9
Two-time Derby semi-finalist Seven Beach returns and will be hoping to go even further this year. He sets a clear standard.
Main danger is half-sister Shebedaone (T4), who has shown promise in comeback trials. Canya Steve and Slipalong Duke arrive in form, while Harlequin Paul is one for the future.
Selection: Seven Beach
Heat 10
A tricky betting heat. Lookanlep (T3) showed real determination last week when forcing through to lead and win.
No More Fiftys is capable of turning the tables with a better start. Droopys Slick (T5) hasn’t yet delivered on his reputation but has ability. Bet Goodwinben is lightly raced for Pat Buckley, is a fascinating runner who could be anything. No strong opinions in this tricky heat for punters.
Selection: Lookanlep
Heat 11
Ballymac Tibet, Juvenile Derby runner-up and Champion Plate winner, looks the standout on recent form.
Pat Buckley’s Hackney Corner (formerly Left Cornerback) has trialled well and could be a big improver. So Cool (T6) adds further strength to Buckley’s hand. Swittins Jim has been consistent for Peter Cronin and can’t be ignored. But all recent form points to Ballymac Tibet.
Selection: Ballymac Tibet
Heat 12
The final heat of the night sees the improving Swords Style run from an ideal draw on the fence. He impressed when coming from off the pace to clock 29.59 and is clearly improving fast.
Drumbeg Banner, the St. Leger winner, has huge class and won’t be easy to pass if leading. Black Eyed Turbo (third in the Irish Oaks) and Dr Darcy, a big finisher, are both likely to feature late in the day.
Selection: Sword Style.
Good luck to all connections.
