A PLACE IN HISTORY AWAITS

Ian Fortune

With the 2024 BOYLE Sports Derby run much later than the norm, it seems as though it has only been a matter of weeks since Bockos Diamond led home his kennel companion Cheap Sandwiches to capture the blue riband event at a very wet Shelbourne Park.

However, it has been ten months since that famous night and there is no sign of Bockos Diamond as we await the outcome of the 2025 renewal. However, we do have Cheap Sandwiches and he is set to follow in the footsteps of his kennelmate by starting a red-hot favourite claim his place in history at a packed Shelbourne Park this evening.

After five weeks of wonderful racing action, countless brilliant performances, a number of shocks and a fair share of drama, the outcome of the BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby will come down to less than a half minute of racing.

A massive crowd will pour through the stiles once they open the doors at 4.30pm, providing an atmosphere like no other. The weather Gods are promising to play ball so there will be no excuses on that front and it is now own to the final six to put their best foot forward.

HEIRESS FLYING THE FLAG FOR THE UK

Proper Heiress races in the red jacket and will carry the hopes of the UK.

Not since Toms The Best captured the 1997 renewal has the winner been trained across the Irish Sea but Mark Wallis will be hoping to end the drought.

Indeed, it’s been seventeen years since the last British trained finalist but in Proper Heiress they have a realistic challenger. Bred by Willie O’Connor in Kilkenny, he was sold out of Enniscorthy after impressing in his second career outings and quickly established himself as one of the best in the UK.

Multiple Category 1 successes are evidence of just how good he is, although this is easily his toughest test. Of course, he has also carried his fair share of luck but last week’s defeat was his first of the classic. He may have only finished fourth after an uncharacteristic flat display but he was promoted with the disqualification of Oreo Ollie.

Hi record from trap one is very impressive. In fact, his only defeat from the inside box came on debut and he is seven from seven since. That will give confidence to his many followers but there is no doubt he will need to improve on his semi-final effort when some sixteen lengths behind the hot favourite Cheap Sandwiches.

He boasts a victory over that rival in the third round but will need to show more fluency from boxes than he when previously wearing red in the earlier rounds. If he finds a start, he could then put himself in the mix and certainly won’t shirk a challenge. One of the features of his run through the Derby has been his bravery on the bend and were there only a half a gap available to him, he would do everything in his power to get through it.

MAG LOOKING FOR SOME MORE MAGIC

Magical Mag will bid to hand Pat Guilfoyle a second Derby success, some eight years after Good News won the 2017 renewal.

The daughter of Ballymac Cashout has been a revelation through the classic, producing a flying start in every round with the exception of week 1 when overcoming a stumble at boxes to qualify.

Trap to line successes would follow in the second, third and fourth round before a third-place finish in the semis where she again set a strong pace to the third turn.

A winner of seven of her last ten starts, she has built quite a following and many will stay loyal this evening. It certainly isn’t hard to make a case for the December ’22 whelp.

Most are rightly expecting her to flash from trap two. If turning in front, it is certainly race on. Obviously she will need to contain Cheap Sandwiches into the bend but that is entirely possible and any traffic amongst her rivals would only aid her cause.

Certainly, quotes of 10-1 seem a bit generous about a bitch at the very peak of her powers and she is expected to play a big part in the contest.

BAREFOOT FLYING THE FLAG FOR THE MUMS

Barefoot On Song is set to start the rank outsider of the field from trap three but she certainly doesn’t know that and doesn’t give the impression she would care.

There is a real freedom to the manner in which she races, often shaking off traffic and running above herself.

A naturally fast starter, she is very strong and Bryan and Kathleen Murphy will be hoping she can provide them with yet another classic success. So too will her pups, who are almost ready to hit the track.

For a bitch to have a litter of pups and subsequently reach any classic final, let alone a Derby, is nothing short of remarkable and great credit must go to her master trainer Paul Hennessy and the bitch herself.

Kevin Hennessy has always said that the bigger the challenge, the more she puts her ears back and gets stuck in.

Few are expecting her to win tonight but that won’t upset those that know her best. Her mere presence is enough to have an impact on the race as she won’t be found wanting if things get tight and is likely to run her race once again.

She has already captured the Limerick Oaks this year as well as finishing third in both the Easter Cup and Select Stakes and finishing runner-up in the Munster Oaks. With a record like that, it would be no surprise to see her make the frame.

SILENT READY TO ROAR

In a very short spell, Glengar Silent has established himself as one of the fastest greyhounds in training and his semi-final performance is clear evidence of the fact.

Showing improvement with every start, he will tonight aim to claim his place in history.

Almost 30 years ago, Tina Marina became the youngest Derby winner of all time at just 684 days. Susie Sapphire was three days older when landing the Derby in 2021 but tonight Glengar Silent bids to eclipse both by becoming the youngest Derby winner of all time at 679 days.

The feature of his racing style is his power from the second turn. He needs to negotiate a clear passage around the opening bends but would be a serious player of turning close to the pace.

Pat Buckley is seeking a second Derby success with his youngster after winning the Derby back in 2009 with College Causeway. He was the last greyhound to come from further back than third to land the crown, a feat that Glengar Silent may be attempting to repeat this evening.

It’s a big ask from a greyhound of such limited experience but he has consistently answered every question put to him. His dam Singalong Sally ran up the Derby in 2021 and Glengar Silent will have a legion of supporters as he bids to go one better.

Owner Tom Nolan will be praying the gaps open at the right time for his star. If doing so, he can certainly mount a bold bid.

SANDWICHES TO DEVOUR HIS RIVALS

Cheap Sandwiches lines out in five in what is his third Derby final appearance in ten months.

It has certainly been a remarkable year for the stunningly fast son of Burgess Bucks and he will start a hot favourite to emerge triumphant this evening.

Runner-up last year, his progress through this year’s Derby has followed an upward trajectory with his level of performance getting better and better, culminating in a sensational semi-final display last weekend.

As a result, he has been quoted as short as 8-15 to go one better than last year. If he were to come home in front, he would hand Graham Holland a record fifth Irish Greyhound Derby success. Most are expecting that to happen and it’s hard to argue against.

Blessed with all the qualities needed to be a racing superstar, Cheap Sandwiches is a worthy favourite. Aside from running Bockos Diamond close last year, he also reached the final of the English Derby at Towcester this summer before capturing the famed Dundalk International in July.

Tonight, he aims to finally claim a first classic success on the biggest stage of them all. One suspects he will be very hard to contain. His owners, the Bark Wahlberg Syndicate may have had sleepless nights over the past week but their star is ready to produce and should he start on terms, he could assume control as early as the opening bend.

DEPLOY TO GO TO WAR

Droopys Deploy completes the field as he seeks to hand Robert Gleeson a second Derby success, some twelve years on from Slippery Robert in 2013.

He has looked so comfortable through the preliminary rounds, coming home fast in each of the five rounds to qualify with minimum fuss.

His semi-final run was a sign that he is running into the best form of his career and quotes of 25-1 and bigger just seem wrong about this powerful son of Malachi. Certainly, he needs to turn a little closer tonight to come home in front but any traffic amongst those on his inner and he could have a huge say at the business end.

He has long been a star for Paul Allen and Robert Gleeson and made a successful raid to Newcastle earlier this year, winning the ARC Northern Puppy Derby before returning to these shores to reach the final of the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial.

The one criticism that is often aimed at him is that he doesn’t win often enough but you only need to win when it really matters and don’t be shocked to see his price tumble this evening.

It is very easy to make a case for Droopys Deploy this evening, especially at the prices. As a true wide seed, he is likely to steer clear of those on the inside of the track and won’t need much scrimmaging to his left to allow him turn closer than normal.

And then it’s a case of going hell for leather from the second corner. If you do fancy his chances, the advice is to take a bit of the 25-1 on offer this morning as he could be half that price this evening.

A FITTING DERBY CONCOLUSION SEEMS LIKELY

The stage is set for what should be a fitting conclusion to what has been a wonderful five weeks of top-class greyhound racing action.

Shelbourne Park offers the perfect back drop to the drama and all six sets of connections will be hoping for their pride and joy to put their best foot forward.

Sadly, there can only be one winner and all recent evidence suggests Cheap Sandwiches is finally going to claim the prize his immense talent so richly deserves. Absolutely flawless in the quarter finals and semi-finals, he is peaking at the right time, is proven on the big stage and seems to have too much ammunition for those in opposition.

He will still need to do everything right but after winning the opening heat of the opening round of the Derby, he is set to bookend the classic with another flawless effort this evening. Proper Heiress, Glengar Silent and Magical Mag are likely to attract significant support and all are capable of running a big race. Indeed, it would be no shock to see any of the trio emerging on top but Droopys Deploy is selected as the one to chase home Cheap Sandwiches. He has an ideal draw and much like the favourite, seems to be peaking at just the right time.

Whatever the result, may they all come off safe and sound and may we celebrate our wonderful sport late into the evening. The best of luck to all involved.