FIREWORKS LIKELY AS DERBY CONTINUES AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

For the first time in this year’s Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby, the entire field will be in action on the same night at Shelbourne Park this evening.

Last week’s second round was crammed with sensational displays and it seems safe to expect more of the same.

All eight heats are of a truly wonderful standard and on a weekend when there were plenty of fireworks elsewhere, it’s likely there will be plenty more on the track. Below is a heat by heat guide to tonight’s Derby action.

EXPECT MORE FLASH FROM DIAMOND

Bockos Diamond will understandably start a red-hot favourite for the opening heat after posting a simply incredible 29.03 last week.

The sensationally fast son of Dorotas Wildcat went faster to the third turn than any greyhound in history and a repeat of that display would certainly see him account for Carrick Aldo once again.

The latter was five lengths behind Bockos Diamond last week and yet lost nothing in defeat. He can again emerge the main danger. Superfast Gorden will have some support from a kind draw on the fence but only his very best will suffice while the remaining trio certainly need luck on their side.

Expect Bockos Diamond and Carrick Aldo to race clear of their rivals with the former set to fully justify his position as hot favourite for Derby glory.

MAASAI TO MAKE MOST OF DRAW IN HOT AFFAIR

English Derby hero De Lahdedah will start favourite in Heat 2 after his thoroughly professional second round victory but has a tricky draw to contend with.

Flanked by impressive second round scorers Bubbly Shadow and Scooby Pacemaker, racing room could be at a premium in the opening yards.

If De Lahdedah fails to match his flying start of last weekend, he could find himself short of room in three with Scooby Pacemaker, drawn on his right shoulder, likely to edge inwards. That could potentially leave the door open for the razor-sharp Tarsna Maasai in trap five.

The well-built son of Droopys Sydney has been in superb form or Geof Parnaby and would be a tough nut to crack should he turn in front. De Lahdedah is obviously a worthy favourite and a big threat but circumstances could conspire against him.

Bubbly Shadow will have support after his latest impressive run. He seems to have all the qualities needed to go far in the Derby, while big finisher Deadly Choice will also attract some support. Scooby Pacemaker was also hugely impressive last week, posting a rapid 29.16 but he will have to work even harder to get loose tonight in what looks on paper one of the strongest heats of the Derby thus far.

DOLLAR TO SEE OFF BEACH

Seven Beach will be a warm favourite to continue his winning ways in Heat 3 but the presence of Glengar Martha on his immediate inner could prove a slight concern.

The later seems to be returning to her very best with each start after a seasonal rest and she can certainly go up fast.

Seven Beach may still have too much ammunition for that rival in the opening exchanges but he could be distracted for long enough to allow Untold Dollar take advantage along the fence. The latter has been showing exceptional pace but hasn’t had a clear run in some time.

If he were to come away racing from in the inside box, he could potentially post a very fast time. One suspects he will have too much early speed for Randolph Scotts and, with a vacant box in three, following the withdrawal of Fairy Footsteps, he could have all the room he needs into the bend.

Seven Beach and Untold Dollar are clearly the big two in this contest and could go head to head down the back straight but Untold Dollar just gets the nod with his price swaying the vote. Glengar Martha can take third at the expense of Is She There and Randolph Scotts.

FREDDIE SET TO MARCH ON

UK raider March On Freddie is a short price to maintain his unbeaten record in the competition in Heat 4 but his task is less than straightforward.

The Dave Mullins trained star was sensational in the opening round, getting loose early to clock 29.19.

A week on, he had to work considerably harder in his second-round victory but displayed all his power to come to the fore at the third turn. He needs to return to his fast-starting ways tonight. With Grangeclare Lady and Down To Business to contend with in the opening yards, he certainly won’t get things all his own way and were he to be held up at the third turn, the fast finishing trio of Tuono Charlie, Extra Gain and A Lucky Julie will be waiting for the opportunity fire their shot.

March On Freddie is a worthy favourite, however. He has a blend speed and power and is likely to get first crack at Grangeclare Lady. If getting around her without any hold up, he would be almost impossible to pick up.

Tuono Charlie is seen as the main threat after a stunning run in defeat last week but the make-up of tonight’s race isn’t quite as kind. He can finish with a flourish but March On Freddie is very strong himself and can race to another impressive success.

BIG JIM FACING A TOUGH TEST

Ballinabola Jim is on a run of six straight wins, is clearly in the form of his career and posted a sensational 29.07 last weekend.

For all these reasons, he will be a deserving favourite to continue his winning ways in Heat 5 where he is opposed by some very talented performers including Dynamic Force, Da Bold Falcon and Singalong Dolly.

This could develop into quite a contest but Ballinabola Jim is the starting point when looking to solve the puzzle. Big Jim, as he is affectionately known, flew from traps to post a 3.38 sectional last week. A repeat of that start would almost certainly do the trick for Brendan Murphy’s charge but anything slower could leave the door open for his rivals.

Dynamic Fair was only third last week but actually enhanced his reputation, showing massive pace to recover from all sorts of traffic for a third placed finish. He can go up far faster and would emerge a serious threat to Ballinabola Jim if coming away on terms. One suspects there is a big Shelbourne Park run coming from the Paul Hennessy trained star.

Da Bold Falcon will attempt to arrive late and fast. He displayed all his power to win last week and will likely make the frame if finding the gaps, particularly at the third turn. Singalong Dolly was mighty impressive in the opening round and ran well in defeat last time. She needs to have her trapping boots on but is also respected in a hot contest.

Thats It Jack and Hot Wood complete the line-up and have been running very well but both need a career best effort to threaten on this occasion. In what really is an intriguing contest, Ballinabola Jim is selected but Dynamic Force and Da Bold Falcon can certainly give him plenty to think about.

PAT LOOKS BOMB PROOF

Much like Ballinabola Jim, Bombay Pat has been in imperious form and is also looking to extend a winning sequence.

He has scarcely seen a rival in his last four starts and will be odds-on to continue his winning ways in Heat 6.  

The Graham Holland trained star may not be the most fluent at traps but his early speed is pretty special and he will charge up the outside of the track to challenge. Short Grip and Kapuka Warrior are likely to race prominently but Bombay Pat may have too much ammunition for the duo and is chosen to go to the front.

Juvenile Derby winner Callaway Knegare has a huge engine and while he has been expensive to follow in recent weeks, there is a huge run bubbling under the surface. If he does find the gaps, he will certainly make the frame but picking up Bombay Pat would be a huge ask were the favourite to get loose at the head of affairs.

SANDWICHES LOOKS TASTY

On top of Bockos Diamond and Bombay Pat, Graham Holland will send out another odds-on favourite in the form of Cheap Sandwiches is another with obvious Derby claims for Graham Holland.

He is set to start odds on in Heat 7 where Hawkfield Blue is second choice in the betting.

The presence of the rails-seeking House Martin is a slight concern for Hawkfield Blue, however, and were the pair to clash in the early yards, Cheap Sandwiches could find himself in front before the opening turn.

After a thoroughly professional 29.20 return last week, it would be something of a shock if he were to relinquish his potential advantage. Mustang Fever will race from trap four and needs to hit the ground running. Toolmaker Curio has a good draw on the fence but needs to hit the ground running to even land a blow, while Blackeyed Turbo will finish fastest but may have too much work to do. 

BOB TO BOUNCE BACK

The final heat of the round is perhaps the most intriguing of the eight.

Boylesports Bob will bid to atone for an odds-on defeat last weekend and is a worthy favourite in the stripes, although nothing will come easy as his rivals which include the very talented Undulation, Cheque For Cash, Dashing Toro and the rapidly improving Beanos Podge.

Whyaye Bonnylad is the most likely leader from two but he is vulnerable from halfway and may struggle to hold on. If he does dictate, it could hamper the claims of Cheque For Cash who probably needs to turn in front to score, while Beanos Podge will need to pick the right moment to challenge.

Instead, it’s perhaps best to concentrate on the strong running trio in the outside of the track. Boylesports Bob will be very difficult to hold with a clear passage and is selected to come home in front but both Undulation and Dashing Toro represent value and must enter calculations.