GREYHOUND PREVIEW: Barry previews the first batch of second round heats in the Irish Greyhound Derby from Shelbourne Park with recommendations on Betdaq.
Irish Greyhound Derby Round Two Friday. Heats 1-8.
Heat 1
🟥 Kapuka Warrior
🟦 Toolmaker Curio
⬜ Thats It Jack
⬛ Syd Zafiro
🟧 Magical Sapphire (w)
🔲 Crokers Rocket (w)
The old man of the party Kapuka Warrior was back to his very best last weekend when making all in 29:55. Karol Ramsbottom’s son of Good News again has the red jacket and should have the beating of his rivals on the run to the corner. The well-bred Syd Zafiro can go up well as too can Limerick track record holder Thats It Jack, Jack is having only his third Shelbourne start and should be capable of better. Magical Sapphire is another runner for Pat Guilfoyle, and she can give Kapuka Warrior most to do. Warrior should lead this field and hopefully he can poach a big enough lead by halfway. The current 5/4 on offer does look on the short side and I would expect him to be a little bigger on the night.
Heat 2
🟥 Ballymac Finn
🟦 Randolph Scotts
⬜ Fairy Footsteps
🔲 Dark Dilemma
🟧 Glitzy Magic (w)
🔲 Dynamic Force (w)
Dynamic Force impressed on his first try over this trip when making all last week and will look to employ similar tactics once again. Dark Dilemma and Fairy Footsteps can go up much better than last week. Randolph Scotts was well backed in the opening round but needs to brush up on his starting. Ballymac Finn was runner up in this in 2022 but is not near that sort of form at the moment. Dynamic Force has been installed at odds on in this but there is a big run in Dark Dilemma and at 9/2, I would be more than happy to side with the David Murray runner.
Heat 3
🟥 House Martin
🟦 Tempestade
⬜ Droopys Metaphor
⬛ Ballyhimikin Leo
🟧 Tivoli Milo (w)
🔲 March On Freddie (w)
All eyes will be on March On Freddie in heat three. Freddie was awesome on last week’s Dublin debut, and he left the impression there was even more to come. Droopys Metaphor looks a likely pacesetter, but Freddie should have too much for these rivals. House Martin ran better than the placings suggest in the opening round, but this race is all about March On Freddie and he should be too good in heat three.
Heat 4
🟥 Cheque For Cash
🟦 Da Bold Falcon
⬜ Untold Dollar
⬛ Miami King
🟧 Up Front Magic
🔲 Deadly Disco
A strong heat, Cheque For Cash again has his box but did move off a touch on the run to the corner last weekend. He should have too much early for the fast finishing Da Bold Falcon. Falcon ran well in defeat last week but cannot afford to give some of these too much rope. Untold Dollar will be looking to get first run at Cheque For Cash. He can go up strongly and showed a good attitude to get up late close home in round one. Deadly Disco is talented but frustrating and Miami King will always give you a run for your money. Cheque For Cash looks a likely leader and will improve on last weeks run. Untold Dollar and Da Bold Falcon can chase him home.
Heat 5
🟥 Clona Duke
🟦 Hawkfield Blue
⬜ Clona Stand
⬛ Grangeclare Lady
🟧 Glengar Martha
🔲 Maireads Prince
Clona Duke returned to action with a bang last time out. In his first race since April the classy Clona Duke took a flier form trap four and made every yard. He has a good draw on the fence this weekend but it’s important he holds Hawkfield Blue on the run to the corner. Hawkfield Blue missed the kick last time but can fly to the corner when on song. The battle to the turn between the pair will be crucial. Geangeclare Lady and Glengar Martha were both caught close home last week and they too will need to lead to win. Maireads Prince recently returned to action and has a chance if back to his best. This heat is all about early pace, I’ll take a chance Hawkfield Blue can return to his best and make all in what looks a tricky race for punters.
Heat 6
🟥 Rushy Meadows
🟦 Daleroad Devon
⬜ Unanimouspanther
⬛ Short Grip
🟧 Seven Beach
🔲 Tarsna Masai
Early pace will be key once again in heat six. Tarsna Masai and Seven Beach both made all last week and there is little to separate the pair on the clock. Short Grip was another to impress at the weekend, she was just run down late on by the fast-finishing Boylesports Bob. Unanimouspanther and Rushy Meadows will both improve on last weeks efforts but have been handed a tough heat. Daleroad Devon won his first six starts but has had little luck in a couple of starts at Shelbourne and remains capable of better. This will be a cracking race to the corner between the outside runners Short Grip, Seven Beach and the improving Tarsna Masai. Its impossible to have a strong opinion and I’ll take a seat on the fence and enjoy this one.
Heat 7
🟥 Tuono Charlie
🟦 Scooby The Boss
⬜ Ballymac Gizmo
⬛ In Good Time
🟧 Carrick Aldo
🔲 Bockos Diamond
Bockos Diamond and Carrick Aldo clocked the two fastest third bend sectionals in the opening round and the pair have been drawn side by side in heat seven. I think Aldo may have the better of the draw and I do feel the former Sprint Cup winner is a more dependable trapper than Bockos Diamond. Diamond really motors as the turn arrives but may just be forced to race a little wider than ideal. The speedy duo should race clear and at the prices I will just side with Carrick Aldo. Baring accidents you would expect them to dominate and safely qualify. Tuono Charlie has a good draw on the fence and will be one for value seekers.
Heat 8
🟥 Droopys Carbine
🟦 Jaytee Craze
⬜ Denos Bay
⬛ Undulation
🟧 Tribal Syd
🔲 A Lucky Julie
Tribal Syd will look to keep up his recent good form in the last heat of the night. He moved well last week when making al and clocking a smart third bend sectional. This heat does lack early pace but there are some big finishers in the contest. Jaytee Craze broke well and made al last time out. Undulation met trouble on more than one occasion in her opening round heat and is capable of better. This years Oaks winner A Lucky Julie returned to action last week when flying home and just failing to get to Seven Beach. She is another who will improve from that run and rates a big danger to Tribal Syd. I expect Tribal Syd to race clear, but the big finishers Undulation and A Lucky Julie will be flying from halfway.
All the best
Barry
