EXPECT DRAMA AS DERBY FIELD TO BE HALVED AGAIN
Ian Fortune
With each passing week, the level of jeopardy only increases in the BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby. Tonight, in front of a packed Shelbourne Park, the remaining 24 contenders will battle for a place in the final dozen across four enthralling quarter-finals.
At this stage of the classic, every contest carries enormous significance. Each owner, trainer, breeder and kennel hand connected to these superstars would gladly take third spot now, such is the magnitude of what is at stake.
A place in the semi-finals is within touching distance, but a mistake, a moment of bad luck or an inch lost at crucial point in the contest could bring a Derby dream crashing to an end.
MONARCH A DESERVING FAVOURITE
Bouncing Monarch is expected to be one of the chosen twelve.
The sensational Con & Annie Kirby Memorial champion has been flawless through the early rounds of the classic and is now just 2-1 to claim Derby glory with three runs still to come.
That highlights just how good he has been. Tonight, he faces his toughest test of the Derby to date but has an ideal draw on the fence in Heat 2 and is a very short price to emerge on top. His many followers willhave faith but the major concern is that if he misses the start, his path along the fence could be clocked.
In a contest where Sober Barry, Bockos Gold, Solo And Go and Harvard Square are all likely to go up fast and edge to the fence, there is a strong chance space will be at a premium in the opening exchanges.
In contrast, Priceless Romeo has a very kind draw in the stripes and will look to pick up the pieces in the latter stages.
If any of the quartet in the middle are to emerge on top, they must absolutely rocket from boxes to secure a clear passage. Ultimately, Bouncing Monarch is in the form of his career, is a worthy favourite for Derby glory and, if starting on terms, looks drawn to take full advantage.
The Michael O’Donovan trained star is selected o continue his flawless passage through the Derby and is chosen to lead home Bockos Gold and Solo And Go, although the battle for second and third could go right down to the wire.
JAMES CAN CONTINUE WINNING RUN
Wi Can James is clear second favourite for Derby glory after two superb runs including a standard-setting 29.10 return in the third round.
His Derby credentials will be put to the test in the opening heat where he faces a potentially tricky draw in five.
Add to the potentially tricky draw the fact that each of his rivals are capable of going fast and there is no room for error, however small. After an impressive third round effort, Coloursaregreen is seen as a big threat from a favourable draw in two.
Hackney Plan can go up well but needs to be at his very sharpest from three, while Grouchos Chief has the speed to challenge most greyhounds but must improve his trapping from four as he must dictate the pace to worry the judge.
Uncle Keith is certain to finish fast from a wide draw, although he will need the gaps to arrive at the right time, while Croydon Avenger completes the line-up and at the current odds, perhaps the value selection.
He has run really well in each of his last two starts, showing real strength. He has finally been given the inside draw he so dearly craves and can certainly get involved.
However, Wi Can James has the right profile. A young, progressive greyhound with huge pace and strength, he is seen as the one to beat for a reason. If starting on terms, he can race prominently into the bend before showing his superior pace from the second bend. Coloursaregreen is nominated as the main threat, although don’t sleep on the chances of Croydon Avenger.
BOY CAN GET UP AT DANCER’S EXPENSE
Heat 3 is perhaps the most intriguing of the four with a number of possible outcomes.
The draw certainly favours Hackney Dancer and the layers have taken notice. He is set to start favourite from trap one as he bids to maintain his unbeaten record in the classic.
This is no easy task, however, with the likes of Sleight Of Hand, Getup The Boy and Im Here to contend with. Sleight Of Hand has already shown that he is a serious performer, most notably when posting the joint-fastest time of the opening round before backing up that run a week later.
He suffered his first defeat of the Derby last week when a good second and is clearly fast enough to have a big say. He must come away racing if he is to get first run on Hackney Dancer but that is possible.
Im Here went toe to toe with Hackney Dancer last week, pressing him for much of the way before flattening out from the final turn. He posted a 3.36 sectional on that occasion and may need a similarly fast starter tonight.
Getup The Boy is the potential ace in the pack. Already a proven classic performer, the 2025 Juvenile Derby champion is in the form of his career. Showing more early zip than at any point in his career, his pace from the second bend could make a real difference.
If he does happen to turn close to the pace, which seems likely, he may just have too much ammunition down the back straight for Hackney Dancer and is selected to come home in front.
Faypoint Harvey and Blastoff Heffo complete a talented field but both are available at 50-1 for the contest. Those odds seem a little insulting but they would certainly need luck on their side.
STAR TO SHOW HIS STRENGTH
The final heat of the round sees Waitingforastar bidding to continue his winning run.
He has won his last four straight and seems to be getting better, while looking more confident in the process. The draw is the biggest concern for his supporters.
Housed in four, he will need to mind his footing in the early exchanges to allow him turn close enough to make his brute pace and strength count. Firstpastthepost is perhaps the most likely leader along the fence, while Low Profile, Glengar Phantom and Bombay Special are all capable of racing prominently but none of the quartet can match Waitingforastar on the clock.
Indeed, if Firstpastthepost was to get off the front, he could potentially set the race up for Waitingforastar. Those in behind are likely to press into the third turn but getting past Firstpastthepost won’t be easy. Should the field contract at this point, Waitingforastar could pounce.
Blessed with huge pace from halfway, he should arrive fast to potentially assert in the latter stages. Firstpastthepost is set to give a good account but Bombay Special is chosen to emerge as the main danger, although clearing Glengar Phantom is her first concern.
It really is an intriguing contest with many possible outcomes but the superior pace and strength of Waitingforastar is likely to be the decisive factor.
Michael Fortune Memorial Derby Plate
DERBY PLATE TO PROVIDE TOP CLASS RACING
Ballymac Setanta and Ballymac Deniro will be long odds-on for their respective heats in the Michael Fortune Memorial Plate but the two remaining heats are very competitive.
The opening heat sees opening round winners Slick Sanctuary and Roaming Shelby clash, while Roarin Ogara and Ballyhooly Cliff are also capable of having a big say. Much will come down to the start with Roarin Ogara and Slick Sanctuary expected to go up fast on the inside of the track, while Roaming Shelby seems to be getting sharper with every outing and is likely to go up fast from five.
Ballyhooly Cliff could find himself with room to race from six and will emerge as a serious contender is turning close but Roaming Shelby is chosen to get first run. With Roarin Ogara and Slick Sanctuary likely to be battling it out for the same ground on the inside of the track, Roaming Shelby can take advantage, albeit he needs to clear Aulton Cash by the turn.
Roaming Shelby can lead home Ballyhooly Cliff with Slick Sanctuary chosen to secure a qualifying spot in third.
MORE STYLE LIKELY FROM SWORDS
Swords Style will be a warm favourite for Heat 2 and should he produce one of his typically professional displays, he will be very hard to stop.
The Graham Holland trained star has superior early speed to his rivals and is selected to get loose into the turn before going on to make all.
Miami Hans, Ballymac Scheff, Ballyhooly Bruno and Mydras Opinion are all very strong and will be doing plenty of work from the second turn but Swords Style is not easy to pick up and he can open a clear advantage to halfway before coasting home in front. Maimi Hans is perhaps best positioned to come through for second with Mydras Opinion chosen to grab third.
SETANTA LOOKS DIFFERENT CLASS
Ballymac Setanta is amongst the very fastest greyhounds on the planet.
His price will reflect his status in Heat 3 with the brilliant son of Ballymac Kingdom expected to emerge a comfortable winner for the second week running.
The perceived main dangers to the favourite are strong runners and may not be able to match him for brute early speed. It goes without saying but, should Setanta get loose into the bend, he is not going to be picked up.
Oriental King is immensely fast and is also very strong. He has a kind draw in six with Jacktavern Bull set to cut inwards from five. He should get a clear passage and is a confident choice for second spot. Coolemount Fame will also finish fast but Avenue Queen is perhaps best equipped to take third.
DENIRO TO BRING THE HEAT
English Derby runner-up Ballymac Deniro will be a very short price in the final heat and is also fully expected to emerge on top, although he probably faces a slightly tougher test than his kennel companion.
Drawn in six with Dear Sir likely to edge inwards from five, Ballymac Deniro is likely to have room to race in the early yards and that is far from good news for his rivals. Newinn Spot has fine early speed, as does Droichead Nua, while Gaytime Teco and Grouchos Frank have fine pace from start to finish but Ballymac Deniro should be simply too good.
It’s no exaggeration to suggest that Ballymac Deniro could rattle 29 seconds if coming away racing and for that reason he is a confident selection to race home clear of Droichead Nua and Grouchos Frank.
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