COMMONS REBEL WINS BOYLESPORTS IRISH GREYHOUND DERBY TRIAL STAKE IN YOUGHAL

Barry Drake

It was all about Commons Rebel in Youghal on Wednesday night as the Jack Crowley-owned runner and the John Kiely-trained Commons Rebel put on the performance of the night when winning the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby Trial Stake.

A recent winner in a round of the National Produce Stakes at Clonmel, the powerful performer returned to top form with a stunning 28.97 winning display. Portrait shot about five clear heading down the back, but the winner has huge finishing speed and once he enjoyed a clear passage around the opening corners, it was always going to take something special to deny him.

Catching the eye on the back straight, Commons Rebel made headway and he powered up the home straight to land the spoils. A two-length success for the 6-4 market leader.

Winning owner of Commons Rebel Jack Crowley. Also included are trainer John Kiely, Magaret Kiely, along with friends and supporters.

The BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby is the most prestigious race in the Irish Greyhound Calendar and boasts a winner’s prize of €125,000 and an overall prize fund of €300,000. The 2023 Derby Final will take place on Saturday 2nd September in Dublin’s Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium.

For information on the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby visit www.ShelbourneParkGreyhoundStadium.ie 

MCLEAN ON THE TREBLE

Trainer Kevin McLean recorded a brilliant treble on the 13-race card.

Knockboy Boris, trained by Kevin McLean for owners David and John Herlihy, returned to winning form in the third. Tracking well around the opening corners, the well-backed 5-4 favourite was soon in prime position. Strong on the home straight, it was a 29.24 winning effort, three and a half lengths clear of Slaneyside Adler.

Phoebes Nell came from well off the pace to win the sixth, an A5, making it a double for Kevin McLean. Dipity built up what looked like a winning lead, but the 5-2 shot finished with a flourish to get the verdict, by a length, in 29.67.

It was a Kevin McLean treble after the strong all-round performance from Kerryroad Peg in race 10. A 29.13 winning display as the 7-4 market leader won comfortably, making it back-to-back wins.

Finally, it's free admission summer season at Youghal Greyhound Stadium and it's great to see big crowds. That's set to continue up until late August.