IRISH GREYHOUND DERBY: The Derby fever was in the air and things got off to a great start for me on the tipping front on Saturday night in Shelbourne Park as the second batch of heats took place.

I was buzzing for the evening ahead and anticipated a great night as I made my way over from the office. I arrived early and got myself a lovely chicken curry and joined Michelle from SIS for the chats and giggles. As the first heat approached I went to my usual spot on the stand to watch Jaytee Yankee win easy so my first nap won, brilliant! I had nine winners from twelve races on Thursday so the pressure was on to exceed myself but I was quickly brought back down to earth as my second tip College Paradise finished last after looking like he was about to hit the front and win. Race five was up next and I took a gamble on Barefoot Painter, all inside seeds ran here but I thought he would have the pace to just get to the front from trap 6 and he almost did but then got balked, however Concrete Jungle was a good winner as he flew around in 29.65.

Sarah then redeemed herself with Drive On Tipp, I thought he was a certainty (even though they say there is no such thing as a certainty) but he was really was! He was super and he won at a price of evens and clocked 29.35, not to be sniffed at. I was on fire as I tipped a quick fire double then with Jaytee Jet landing the spoils in heat 15 but he gave me heart failure as he looked beaten off the last bend but he done that thing he always does and turned on the TURBO POWER and flew by Milldean Skip and Cometwopass as if they didn’t exist and won by one length in 29.68 and I backed him at 5/4. My final tip was Dream Dude to win and Droopys Wilbury betting without so double whammy as Dream Dude went on to beat Wilbury by three and half lengths in 29.60. A good night was had.

It was lovely to see Jerry Melia there last night, looking well and enjoying the derby heats. Mary Melia also reported that Holycross Leah is injured but the plan is to run her in the Oaks, all things going well. I was chatting to Willie Rigney the Gain Feeds man I call him and he was delighted with how his dog Milltown Magic ran. He qualified in third place in the race won by Swithins Brae and Willie is looking forward to the future with his dog, he is inexperienced and might just keep getting through each week. Frank from Boylesports shared his ante post fancies with me and he likes Native Chimes, Droopys Wilbury and Buckos Dream.

Ray Mulvaney, the well known bookmaker from Dun Laoghaire arrived in his tin of fruit last night coming straight from the Curragh, Ray is attending Shelbourne Park a long time now, over 30 years and was one of the many people who missed it when it was closed since the start of the year, “Business was quiet tonight but I expect it to pick up as the Derby continues. I’m happy Shelbourne is back open and we are delighted to be here”.

  • The draw was made after racing last night and it has thrown out some tricky heats. I will discuss them in my column this Saturday in the Irish Daily Star so make sure you buy a copy.

See you all Saturday