FRANK NOW SET FOR DERBY CAMPAIGN

Ian Fortune

Both Michael O’Donovan and Dean Harpur confirmed soon after the brilliant TIME Dundalk International success of Ballycowen Frank that he will be heading straight for the BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby for which he is amongst the favourites.

Said O’Donovan, “That’s the plan. Straight to the Derby. He’s doing everything right and hopefully he’ll keep up this sort of form. All ours will probably go straight there [Derby].”

He also took the opportunity to confirm that Bouncing Monarch was fine after his forced withdrawal from the Champion Stakes and is now set for a Derby campaign.

Understandably, Dean Harpur was also delighted with Ballycowen Frank. After breeding and rearing the sensational son of Ballymac Cashout, he too is looking forward to the Derby with his charge, “We’re delighted. It was over early. It was nice to win the Race of Champions and here tonight but now we’re going to have a go at the Derby. I can’t believe he came out of five like that, fair play to Michael O’Donovan.

“From the day he was born, we reared him, put leads on him, walking him up and down roads, schooled him and won a stake with him myself, this has always been the dream.”

Dean also confirmed that he has a few half-brothers to Ballycowen Frank by Pestana coming through, while his dam was mated last week to Ballymac Cashout for what is a repeat mating.

Of course, Ballycowen Frank isn’t the only star in his litter with Juvenile Derby champion and Champion Stakes runner-up Getup The Boy and one of the UK’s finest Strike It Skye also amongst the best in training.