IRISH GREYHOUND DERBY PREVIEW: Our greyhound expert Barry Caul previews the Final of the Irish Greyhound Derby on Saturday from Shelbourne Park, along with best bets from the rest of the card.
FINAL
- Proper Heiress
- Magical Mag
- Barefoot On Song
- Glengar Silent
- Cheap Sandwiches
- Droopys Deploy
Proper Heiress: The UK challenger. Got the better of Cheap Sandwiches in the third round when making all the running. A shade disappointing in last week’s semi-finals but has the pace to get involved. Heiress has an impressive record from the red jacket, eight starts, seven wins, with the only defeat coming on debut at Enniscorthy when finishing second. Will have plenty of supporters on the night and is certainly not without a big chance.
Magical Mag: One of two ladies in the final and currently in tremendous form. She began her career here, beaten on debut by the classy Droopys Kathleen, before going on to land the Connaught Derby. After further wins at Galway and Limerick, she returned to Shelbourne this summer and has now won five of her last eight starts. Has the early pace to lead the inside runners if she can ping the lids. Trainer Pat Guilfoyle has Derby pedigree, having won the event in 2017 with Good News.
Barefoot On Song: The second bitch in the line-up and as consistent as they come. Remarkably, she has already had a litter of pups and is running better than ever since her comeback. Trained by Paul Hennessy, who lifted this trophy in 2007 and has landed countless classics since. Outsider of the field on the betting, she’ll need plenty to fall right but cannot be underestimated.
Glengar Silent: The youngster of the field and a real powerhouse. His dam, Singalong Sally, was runner-up in the 2021 Derby behind Susie Sapphire. Silent has just 10 career starts, winning four, and produced a career-best in the semis when getting the better of Droopys Deploy and Magical Mag. Still not two years old until November, he’s improving all the time and could be a major player if stepping forward again.
Cheap Sandwiches: The deserving favourite for Graham Holland, who has already won this event in 2016, 2019, 2020 and last year with Bockos Diamond. Runner-up to Bockos Diamond in 2024, his supporters will be hoping he goes one better this time. A finalist in this year’s English Derby, he’s been threatening a major prize for some time. Flies to the corner and, if breaking on terms, could establish an early lead that proves uncatchable.
Droopys Deploy: No stranger to the big stage despite his relative youth. A finalist in last year’s IGOBF Puppy Stake, he followed up with victory in the Northern Puppy Derby at Newcastle, before reaching the Kirby Memorial final and the St Leger semis at Limerick. Trapping has been his Achilles heel of late, but he can flash from boxes on his day. Strong finisher and looks a lively value option. Trainer Rob Gleeson lifted this crown in 2013 with Slippery Robert.
Verdict: Cheap Sandwiches is the one they all have to beat. Last year’s runner-up has looked electric in recent runs and a repeat should see him go one better. Glengar Silent is improving fast and looks the biggest danger. Proper Heiress is a proven red-jacket specialist and shouldn’t be dismissed despite last week’s effort. Droopys Deploy represents value in the “without the favourite” markets, while Barefoot On Song will need luck from her tricky draw. Magical Mag has the early pace to make life interesting on the inside.
Selection: Cheap Sandwiches to win; Droopys Deploy to outrun his odds.
Undercard Preview
The supporting races look just as strong.
- Michael Fortune Memorial Plate: The big three are Sunshine Sioux, Carrick Scholsey, and Magical Major. On the draw, preference is for Sunshine Sioux to edge it.
- Consolation Final (20:48) : Happy Jet is worth another chance from the red jacket. Better than recent form suggests and could go well at double-figure odds.
Others to note across the night include Bombay Pat, Doctor Darcy, and Droopys Patriot.
Good luck to all connections.
