THE DERBY JOURNEY STARTS TONIGHT
Ian Fortune
The weeks of speculation, anticipation and hype leading up the start of the BOYLE Sports Derby has really got the blood pumping. And tonight owners, breeders, trainers, handler, layers and punters will be glad to see the 2026 renewal of the classic get underway at Shelbourne Park.
A total of twelve heats will make up the first session of opening round heats and the resulting action will be enthralling. A four-to-qualify scenario seems to create a false narrative that all the big guns will be safe but, year after year, there is real drama on the opening weekend and, have little doubt, a few well-fancied greyhounds will fail to secure their passage into the second round.
To all those with a vested interest in a greyhound in this year’s Derby, the very best of luck. Lets hope for another sensational Derby and roll on September 12th.
HEAT-BY-HEAT GUIDE TO TONIGHT’S BOYLE SPORTS DERBY ACTION
Heat 1 – CLIFF CHOSEN TO SEE OFF DREAM
The Derby commences with a fascinating contest. In the absence of a hot favourite, the eye is drawn to Lennies Dream and Ballyhooly Cliff.
The former impressed on this corresponding weekend last year, winning her opening round assignment in 29.37.
Incredibly, that was her last career win, although she did run well through the classic, eventually going out in the quarter finals behind eventual winner Cheap Sandwiches. A good starter with plenty of strength, she has shown signs of a return to her brilliant best in recent weeks and is seen as a huge player.
However, the nod goes to Ballyhooly Cliff. A bright prospect with a wonderful all-round game, he starts, stays and is young enough to improve further. He was out of luck in his latest outing over the Derby trip but missed the kick on that occasion and is capable of far better.
Of the others, Roarin Ogara was in the process of running a big race only to find bad traffic on the turn last week. If repeating his 3.38 sectional, he would emerge as a contender. Magical Jet is also respected, although he too needs to be at his very sharpest from trap two with fast starters on his flanks.
Heat 2 – ELLO CAN SECURE FIRST RUN
Brendan Matthews sends out Downtothewire and Ello Ello in Heat 2 with both capable of going close. Downtothewire is inconsistent at the traps but certainly has the pace to play a part if finding a way to turn close from an inside draw.
Ello Ello is also a little inconsistent at boxes but is capable of motoring into the bend. If he were to repeat his very best form, he would make a bold bid.
Grouchos Frank posted a quick 29.39 for 550yds in his penultimate outing. He was subsequently caught a little flat-footed over 575yds but is clearly one with obvious claims, especially if finding a start. Firstpastthepost is likely to go up fast and is a potential pace-setter. .he may be vulnerable from the third turn but could well be stronger then when last seen at Shelbourne over four bends.
Brayview Lad and Foulkscourt Cody are no back-numbers either in one of the most open contests of the round but Ello Ello is selected to produce one of his better starts and turn close to the pace. In such a scenario, he would be hard to contain.
Heat 3 – CASH CAN BE KING
Old meets young at the head of the market for Heat 3.
Faypoint Harvey has danced every dance over recent years and continues to run with enthusiasm. A fast starter, he rarely runs a bad race but he has to take on the promising Aulton Cash.
The latter seems to love the Dublin air and boasts some fine form around Shelbourne Park. If starting on terms, which seems very likely going on his previous form, he can quickly emerge as a leading contender.
While the pair will dominate the market, neither are certain to get loose of each other. If there is to be a bigger priced winner, the thoroughly likeable and talented Timmys Bucks never runs a bad race and could play a part if coming away racing from five.
Heat 4 – NOELLE TO SHOW HER CLASS
There is real quality on show in Heat 4 where Ballymac Ralf makes his Dublin debut.
Everything he has shown to this point in his career suggests he is a real Shelbourne Park type hound but he will still need to be at his very sharpest with some very talented rivals to contend with.
These include Silent Noelle, who was a fine winner over the Derby trip last time. She can really move into the turn and seems certain to have a big say. Droopys Monk is very young and blessed with exceptional early dash.
At this early point in his career, 550yds stretches him but he is going to strengthen up for racing and is perhaps the most likely pace-setter from four. Razldazl Thelma has fine pace throughout and boasts a 28.09 return for 525yds, while both Coolemount Spy and Uncle Keith will be finishing at speed.
With conditions likely to be lively, it might pay to side with one of the speedsters and, from the draw, the nod goes to Silent Noelle. Ballymac Ralf is a serious threat, especially if turning close from an inside draw while Droopys Monk is also expected to have a big say.
Heat 5 – LENNIES NEEDS TO BE DYNAMIC AGAINST SOLO
The bookends are the big two in Heat 5.
In red, Solo And Go is aptly named as he can really go but he faces a worthy adversary in Lennies Dynamic, who is drawn in six. In fact, the latter seems certain to start a warm favourite and it is no shock given the impressive nature of his latest victory.
The Paul Hennessy trained speedster has long given the impression he could develop into a superstar with the longer run to the turn over 550yds only helping. He will need to be at his liveliest in the opening yards but is chosen to challenge Solo And Go to the turn before asserting into the back straight.
Both Solo And Go and Lennies Dynamic are capable of going deep in the classic and could prove too hot for their rivals, although Roaming Shelby is on the upgrade and would be a player if somehow finding a way to match Solo And Go to the turn. Croydon Avenger is also very talented but a trap four draw is far from ideal. Lennies Dynamic is chosen to lead home Solo And Go and Roaming Shelby.
Heat 6 – KAMALA TOO HOT TO HANDLE
There will be shorter priced favourite in the opening round than Champion Stakes champion Ballymac Kamala.
She really does look the part in Heat 6 where she can make every inch from am okay draw in trap three.
A fast starter with outstanding pace throughout, expect Liam Dowling’s star to further cement her status as one of the best in the business. Blastoff Heffo is rarely out of the frame and is chosen to come home in second, albeit well behind Ballymac Kamala.
Heat 7 – FRANK TO CONTINUE HIS INCREDIBLE RUN OF FORM
Ballycowen Frank will be a hot favourite in the very next heat.
There is scarcely a performer in world greyhound racing on a better run of form than the Michael O’Donovan trained star. In recent times he has won both the Dundalk International and Race of Champions, both in record breaking times.
If finding another slick exit, it seems safe to expect him to go very fast again. Drawn in three, he really should have too much ammunition for his rivals which include his talented kennel companion Hackney Plan and the rapidly progressive Oriental King. Throw in the Shelbourne 600 champion Mydras Opinion and it’s a fine line-up but Ballycowen Frank can come home alone yet again.
Heat 8 – STYLE TO GET FIRST RUN
All eyes will be on the inside of the track in Heat 8 where Swords Style and Glengar Kane dominate the betting.
The pair line up side by side in traps one and two and much will come down to the start. Glengar Kane has a very tricky draw with Swords Style expected to edge off the fence and Jacktavern Bull likely to cut inwards from three.
That could leave Glengar Kane as themeat in the sandwich. He has the quality to overcome the draw but it won’t be easy. For that reason, Swords Style, who boasts some superb Shelbourne form is chosen to get off the front before producing a typically determined effort to contain his rivals.
Heat 9 – HERE TO MAKE AN IMPACT
Recent Puppy Derby champion Im Here has a perfect draw in the stripes in Heat 9 but won’t be handed anything on a silver platter.
In what is his first outing over the 550yd trip, the Peter Cronin trained star will need to do things right at boxes to put himself in position to justify favouritism.
That shouldn’t be a problem but any mistakes would leave the door open to some talented rivals including Low Profile and Lee Strand winner Music Inthe Air. The progressive Lennies Jamesmac is also respected but Im Here has the potential to be a serious Derby challenger and is chosen to show just what he is capable of. While it is his first run over the Derby trip, he has all the qualities to suggest the extended distance will realty play to his strengths.
Heat 10 – CAN DIAMOND SHINE IN HOTTEST CONTEST
Heat 10 is without doubt the hottest of the round. Indeed, it would be a fitting line-up for a Derby quarter or semi-final, such is the quality on show.
2024 Derby champion Bockos Diamond is clearly the most intriguing runner in the line-up and may well start favourite but the opposition won’t hand him the victory.
Bockos Gold, a younger kennel companion to Bockos Diamond, is a serious threat after returning to his brilliant best last time when clocking a rapid 29.07. Weighing in at a whopping 85lbs or slightly bigger at times, he shouldn’t be able to leave the boxes like he does but he is a real pro when on form.
Blessed with huge pace throughout, he is capable of winning a Derby if things go right and he is likely to have a big say. 2025 Juvenile Derby champ Getup The Boy is perfectly drawn on the fence and doesn’t know how to run a bad race. He is also capable of getting involved.
Slick Sanctuary was a finalist in the recent Puppy Derby. He missed the kick on that occasion, but can fly to the turn, while Glengar Silent was a finalist last year and will be finishing faster than any if stepping up on recent trial form. Harlequin Gee Up completes the line-up and he too has the early speed to race prominently, although he is a big price to land a shock success.
It’s a wonderful line-up but Bockos Diamond remains a force. He may not by the same stellar being we witnessed through his Derby campaign in 2024 but he is certainly good enough to win this contest and he gets the vote ahead of Bockos Gold and Getup The Boy.
Heat 11 – TINA AIMING TO BE SIMPLY THE BEST
The flying females are set to come to the fore in Heat 11 where Ballydoyle Tina is likely to start a hot favourite after a recent superb comeback run.
Her task is far from straightforward, however, as her rivals include Droopys Faithful, Bombay Special and two-time Derby quarter finalist and near veteran Cheque For Cash.
Ballydoyle Tina is drawn in four and a repeat of her latest flying start, when posting a 3.35 sectional, would see her quickly seize control. Droopys Faithful is really top class but has been lightly raced in recent months. An 18.38 sprint trial highlights her well-being and she is nominated as the main danger, while Bombay Special and Cheque For Cash are both capable of having a big say if returning to form.
Heat 12 – PORTER WITH STOUT CHANCES
The ladies can also have a huge say in the final heat of the session with Ballymac Gwennie likely to start favourite, while Razldazl Loreal is well housed in one and may also attract plenty of support.
Improving puppy Droopys Porter will be bidding to upset his female rivals, however.
The Barry Clancy trained youngster was superb in his latest outing, flying from boxes to make all in 29.35. It was perhaps a sign of things to come and he just gets the nod over the Champion Plate winner Ballymac Gwennie. Razldazl Loreal is perhaps the value alternative to the pair from a kind draw on the fence. Kilwest Major is perhaps best equipped of the remainder to cause a slight shock but he must find a way to turn close to the pace.