BOB AND PAT LEAD TEAM IRELAND ON DAY THREE AT TOWCESTER
Ian Fortune
Boylesports Bob and Bombay Pat are already more than established as two of the fastest greyhounds on the planet and they can fly the flag for Ireland at Towcester this evening as the opening round of the Star Sports/ TRC English Greyhound Derby comes to a conclusion.
There is a total of ten Irish trained runners in action and they can add to our ten heat winners over the past two nights.
PAT EXPECTED TO WIN IN STYLE
In terms of expected starting price, Bombay Pat stands out as the banker in Heat 27.
Graham Holland has already accounted for five heat winners and Bombay Pat will be long-odds on to continue his winning ways. Should he avoid any massive errors, the brilliant son of Pestana can come home clear.
BRILLIANT BOB IS BACK
Paul Hennessy will also be very happy with how his team have been performing and he will be expecting a bold showing from Boylesports Bob in Heat 30.
He takes on some very talented rivals including the rampant youngster Headford Asher but the superior strength of the 2024 runner-up, Boylesports Bob, can make the difference.
LENNIE TO STAR
Hennessy also sends out Lennies Desire.
The hugely fast son of Signet Ace will race as a wide seed in Heat 23 and he can make the most of some extra space to return to winning ways at the expense of Vhagar.
CAN TIBET ARRIVE LATE?
Liam Dowling has his team purring at present and he will be hoping Ballymac Tibet can progress in Heat 25.
A powerful puppy, possessing a huge finishing kick, he can arrive late and fast to play a big part in Heat 25.
CLONA TO ICE RIVALS
Pat Buckley has high hopes for youngster Cliona Ice.
The son of former English Derby winner Deerjet Sydney, has shown huge promise in previous outings and he can belie his inexperience to make a bold bid in Heat 28. Drawn in six, he can avoid potential traffic on the inside of the track and would be very difficult to stop if getting loose at the head of affairs.
FIRE AND JOE TO FIGURE
There are two Irish representatives in Heat 29.
Barefoot On Fire has winning form around Towcester and is greatly respected but slight preference is for the exciting Ballinabola Joe. Pat Buckley’s charge is drawn in the stripes and has an empty box on his inner. If starting on terms, he could quickly emerge as the one to beat.
DOLLAR TO CASH IN
There are also two Irish trained runners in Heat 32.
In what is a hot contest, both the Brendan Matthews trained Pain Barrier and the David Byrne trained Untold Dollar will need to do things right. Untold Dollar is particularly fast and would be a major player of coming away on terms and he gets the nod ahead of last year’s finalist Sunnyside Broxi (formerly Ballymac Gizmo), while Pain Barrier could have a battle for third with another 2024 finalist, Churchfield Syd.
PLANET MAKES DEBUT FOR HOLLAND
The most interesting Irish runner of the entire event is Crokers Planet.
He races in Heat 31 for Graham Holland, although he has never had a race on Irish soil. It’s difficult to know how he will run but he greatly respected given the man at the end of the lead.
WATCH THE ACTION LIVE
All the English Derby action can be viewed live throughout the classic via www.sisracing.tv or via the Gone to the Dogs – Live YouTube channel, offering live presentation, interviews and full replays. It can be seen at: https://www.youtube.com/@GoneToTheDogs-Live