MONARCH AND HAND TAKE OFF AS DERBY OPENING ROUND CONCLUDES
Ian Fortune
The opening round of the BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby drew to a close at a resplendent Shelbourne Park on Saturday night.
On a night when the sun shone bright, so too did the stars of Irish greyhound racing.
Bouncing Monarch justified his position at the head of the ante-post market for the Derby, but there was also an opportunity for a new name to throw his name into the hat with Sleight Of Hand running out a sensational winner, matching the 29.10 return of Bouncing Monarch.
Michael O’Donovan had a night to remember, sending out three winners, while Karol Ramsbottom and Paul Hennessy both recorded doubles. Below is a heat-by-heat guide to the evening’s wonderful action.
Heat 13 – MONARCH LOOKS THE PART
Bouncing Monarch has been at the head of the Derby market for a number of weeks and he took his opportunity in Heat 13 to cement his standing.
This was little more than a procession for Dave Fradgely’s sensational Kirby Memorial champion.
The Michael O’Donovan trained son of Deerjet Sydney and Lemon Elsa was flawless. Coming away on terms, he quickly forced his way to the front in the opeing yards and proceeded to run away from his rivals.
By halfway, the race was over as a contest and yet he continued to pile on the pressure. Maintaining a relentless gallop to the line, Bouncing Monarch emerged a eleven and a half lengthwinner over the fast-finishing Ballymac Scheff in a stunning 29.10. Cracking Cody was second for much of the way before finishing another two lengths adrift in third with Leamaneigh Godes fourth.
Heat 14 – GREEN FINDS A WAY
Coloursaregreen and Gaytime Clyde had an incredible buckle in Heat 14 with the pair swapping the lead on a number of occasions.
Indeed, on a couple of occasions he seemed as though Gaytime Clyde was getting the better of the argument, but Coloursaregreen just wouldn’t quit.
Coloursaregreen came away best for Brendan Cocoman and Ian Cunningham but Gaytime Clyde flew up on his right shoulder to lead into the bend. His lead was shortlived as Colouraregreen was back up his inner at the second turn.
The pair continued to go toe to toe down the back straight with Gaytime Clyde running a better third bend to go to the front again but Coloursaregreen was nothing if not plucky. Going again, he forced his way upsides his rival as they turned for home before sticking his neck out to hit the line in front.
The Paul Hennessy trained son of King Sheeran and Magical Mary took the verdict by a head in 29.39, while Ballyhooley Bruno ran a big race in third. Sneaking closer into the third turn, he finished well behind the front two to be beaten just a further three parts of a length into third. BallymacAltobel also progressed in fourth.
Heat 15 – SINGALONG IS CHERRY RIPE
Singalong Cherry came roaring back to her best form to take Heat 14 for the all conquering combination of Gilbert Anderson and Pat Buckley.
The daughter of Ballymac Cashout and Singalong Susie was sharpest at boxes and got first run into the turn.
Once doing so, she was always in the perfect position to score. Mill Willow arrived on her shoulder into the bend but Singalong Cherry had the inside line and kicked again into the back straight. A stout stayer, Singalong Cherry maintained a powerful gallop to the line to eventually see off Mill Willow and the eye-catching Avenue Queen by two lengths and a length and a half in 29.49. Unassuming was fourth.
Heat 16 – ROMEO OH ROMEO
Priceless Romeo completed a double on the card for Paul Hennessy when proving too strong for Maiden Derby champion Harvard Square in Heat 16.
The latter set a strong pace from trap five despite edging across the track towards the fence.
In doing so, he left Priceless Romeo plenty of room to race on the outside of the track and the writing was on the wall when he turned second. Owned by Bryan and Kathleen Murphy, the strong running son of Priceless Jet and Priceless Opera closed on the leader into the third turn before making his move around outside. Staying on best, Priceless Romeo emerged two and a half lengths to the good over Harvard Square in 29.49. Miami Hans ran a good race in third, just a head behind the runner-up with Coolemount Fame also qualifying in fourth.
Heat 17 – COLEY LEADS HOME IS PAL BARRY
Karol Ramsbottom floated back to Laois after racing after securing a superb one-two in Heat 17 with his recent Puppy Derby runner-up Kapuka Coley looking right at home over 550yds as he reeled in and beat his talented kennel companion Sober Barry.
Droichead Nua attempted to upset the Ramsbottom party, running hard to the third turn but ultimately, Kapuka Coley was too strong for the early leaders. Sober Barry and Droichead Nua went up fastest but Kapuka Coley ran a clever bend to move third.
Thereafter he was always too close for comfort. Making his move on the third turn, he swept to the front before easing into a decisive lead. Matt Dunne’s talented son of Sober Glory and Assarula Runner stayed on to beat Sober Barry by three lengths in 29.35. Droichead Nua was three lengths further adrift in third. Ballymac Siun was the fourth qualifier.
Heat 18 – DENIRO PLAYS A STARRING ROLE
Ballymac Deniro may have fluffed his lines at the very start of Heat 18 but his class and pure pace saw him play a starring role as he emerged a superb winner in 29.23.
Long Calling went up fast from four with Callaway Knegare also challenging from two but Ballymac Deniro was soon on the case.
Despite a moderate start from six, Liam Dowling’s English Derby runner-up soon moved through the gears to move second on the turn. Lone Calling continued to lead but she was never going to contain Ballymac Deniro.
Indeed, as soon as they started to straighten up into the back straight the brilliant son of Ballymac Finn and Ballymac Arminta made his move. Flying down the back straight, he quickly put the contest to bed. Opening up by four lengths into the third turn, Ballymac Deniro continued to run with puroise to coast home a comfortable winner by five lengths from Lone Calling. There was a four and a half length gap top Miami Hans in third. Ballymac Hitman also progressed.
Heat 19 – DEZ SHOWS HIS CLASS
Shotgun Dez may have been lightly raced in 2026 but last year’s National Puppy Stake winner has always loved Shelbourne Park and he came alive to win Heat 19.
Showing his trademark early speed and superb bend-running technique, he comfortably led his rivals into the back straight.
Sure Exile gave chase throughout and did briefly threaten as they turned for home with the stride of Shotgun Dez shortening somewhat, but there was no denying the leader. Pat Muldoon’s son of King Sheeran and Danish Robyn will no doubt strengthen up for the run but he had enough in hand to hold off his rival by a half length in 29.51. Sawdust Barry was third, some two and a half lengths back with Glengar Phantom fourth.
Heat 20 – BRUNO DELIVERS A KNOCKOUT BLOW
Skywalker Bruno did plenty right to give Michael O’Donovan a second winer on the card in Heat 20.
After a fast start from five, he seemed set to turn in front only for Jaykay Fly to force his way up the inside on the turn to move on.
Skywalker Bruno was never far behind, however, and duly began to close into the third turn. With Jaykay Fly showing signs of fatigue around the last two bends, Skywalker Bruno bridged the gap to challenge off the final turn.
Ballymac Charbel was also closing in behind the front two but Skywalker Bruno got first run for Ray Patterson and the son of Dromana Bucko and Ballyverry Sarah went on to win by three parts of a length from Ballymac Charbel in 29.63. Jaykay Fly was another length away in third with Kerlogue Jet also progressing in fourth.
Heat 21 – DANCER COMPLETES A TREBLE FOR O’DONOVAN
Michael O’Donovan further highlighted the strength of his team in Heat 21 with Hackney Dancer completing a superb treble for the dual Derby winning handler.
The son of Dorotas Wildcat and Miss Mini Moll began his career at Shelbourne Park and seemed to really spark to life on his return to his original stomping ground.
Sharpest at traps, he comfortably held his advantage to the bend before goibg on to make evry yard. Promising youngster Grouchos Chief didn’t hit the ground running but flew into the bend to go second and he gave chase throughout.
Hackney Dancer was never going to be picked up, however. Owned by the Hackney Boys Syndicate, the talented tracker went on to see off a tiring Grouchos Chief by
Heat 22 – STAR HAD TO WAIT UNTIL LATE
Waitingforastar displayed huge pace and determination to justify favouritism in Heat 22, although he needed every inch of the 550yd trip to get his nose in front with Slippery Brian making a bold bid from the front.
Berlin Trilogy and Dear Sir broke fastest but Slippery Brian displayed real acceleration between rivals to get involved early. Waitingforastar had the door closed on him early but took the opportunity to edge inwards from trap three.
Into the bend, Slippery Brian moved with real purpose to join Berlin Trilogy. The duo raced side by side to the second bend with Slippery Brian moving on at this point. It seemed a decisive maneouvre but Waitingforastar had other ideas.
He was now disputing third spot with Carrigeen Whit, some four lengths behind the leader, but began to move through the gears. Berlin Trilogy attempted to get back on terms with the leader but it was a tough ask for a greyhound who is seen more as a front runner.
Instead, Waitingforastar stood out as the main danger as he began to close the gap into the third turn. Sandra Guilfoyle’s powerful son of Droopys Jet and Magical Poppy was still three lengths own between the last two bends but moving fast. Once going second early in the home straight, he chose to stay wide to mount his challenge. In a desperate finish, Waitingforastar launched himself at the line to get up under the shadow of the spot. The judge was called into action with the verdict gong to the Pat Guilfoyle trained Waitingforastar by a head in 29.53. Slippery Brian had run a race full of promise in second with Berlin Trilogy also running well, a further length back. Carrigeen Whit also made the second round in fourth.
Heat 23 – SLEIGHT OF HAND TAKES OFF
Sleight Of Hand was an emphatic winner of Heat 23 as he produced the joint fastest time of the opening round.
This was nothing short of magic from Laurence Jones’ son of Ballymac Cashout and Kilmore Diamond.
After strong support in the market, he displayed fine early dash to quickly move to the front. In contrast, the favourite Wi Can James missed the start and had to play catch-up. The Other Eimear initially took up the chase but she was never going to worry the leader.
Instead, Wi Can James took off down the back straight to go second into the third turn but Sleight Of Hand is very strong and he charged home to emerge a wonderful winner. The October ’24 puppy hit the line with three and a half lengths in hand over Wi Can James in a sizzling 29.10. The Other Eimear was best of the remainder a further three lengths back. Droopys Winsome also secured his place in the next round in fourth.
Heat 24 – HULK GOES SMASH TO CAUSE A SHOCK
The biggest shock of the round came in the final heat with John Lambert and Leslie Brown’s Amidus Hulk forcing his way to the front in the early yards to lower the colours of some fancied rivals.
Indeed, a couple of huge names made their exit in this contest, while another left it until the final stride to earn his place in the second round.
Ballymac Setanta and Lennies Eddie dominated the betting with the duo returned 10-11 and 11-10, yet both seemed to certain to be making their exit after bad early traffic. Neither were particularly fluent at boxes and were in a tight spot at the turn, where both found traffic before clashing a second time between the opening two bends.
Meanwhile, Amidus Hulk broke fast and displayed his trademark early dash to lead the field into the bend, containing Faypoint Ranger and Ballymac Cmax. Avoiding the scrimmage behind, Amidus Hulk and Faypoint Ranger turned first and second with Grangeview Rocco side-stepping the traffic to move third.
Suddenly, it was clear that 20-1 chance Amidus Hulk was the one to beat. Faypoint Ranger attempted to close in second but he isn’t a stout stayer and was vulnerable once failing to dictate.
Amidus Hulk went on to complete a memorable double for Karol Ramsbottom, hitting the line two lengths to the good in 29.65. But the real drama was unfolding in behind. Grangeview Rocco finished well to take second with Ballymac Cmax also qualifying in third, a further length and a half adrift.
Faypoint Ranger was running on fumes up the straight and, somehow, English Derby champion Lennies Eddie got up to take fourth by a head. Both Faypoint Ranger and the luckless Ballymac Setanta made their exit from the classic.