DRAMA EXPECTED ON THE TRACK IN DERBY THIRD ROUND
Ian Fortune
It’s been a newsworthy week in the BOYLE Sports Derby but the talking stops this evening as those lucky enough to remain in the blue riband will do battle for a place in the final 24.
The absence of Bockos Diamond leaves a gaping hole in tonight’s proceedings but there are a number of superstars ready to fill the void.
These include his kennel companions Bombay Pat and Cheap Sandwiches but don’t be shocked if a couple of others step forward. Below is a heat-by-heat guide to this evening’s third round action in the BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby.
MADGE REPRESENTS VALUE IN OPENER
The opening heat certainly promises to be a race of two halves.
Magical Keith may well start favourite and is certain to race prominently, perhaps along with Unanimous Leo and No More Fiftys but they can’t all dictate the pace.
Should the trio go to war, it could potentially leave the door open for one of the three big finishers, Ballyhooly Bruno, Magical Sapphire and Lennies Madge. One suspects the third turn will be every bit as important as the opening turn and there’s a strong chance one of the big finishers will arrive late and fast.
At the prices, the nod goes to Lennies Madge. Immensly strong, she will bid to stalk her rivals into the back straight before making a move from the third turn. Any traffic amongst the early paced contingent could see the field get pretty contracted into the third turn and that can play to the strengths of Lennies Madge. The Paul Hennessy trained powerhouse is chosen to arrive late and fast to deny Magical Keith.
JOE TO RETURN TO WINNING WAYS
Ballinabola Joe has been a pal to the layers in recent weeks, suffering defeat at short odds in both rounds to date but he is given another chance in Heat 2 where he is again set to start a hot favourite from the outside box.
Nothing will come easy to the Pat Buckley trained star but he is long overdue a better start and would have enough ammunition to account for his rivals if coming away on terms. The Other Wild is a potential banana skin.
Drawn in five, the Rural Kennels Open Unraced winner is very sharp and has been threatening to return to his very best. With a flying start, he could give the favourite plenty to think about. Singalong Curly (formerly Sallagh Curly) is drawn on the fence and is another with claims for Pat Buckley. He will need to match his latest slick exit if he is to follow up.
Of the remainder, Blastoff Heffo will finish with purpose and will be difficult to keep out of the frame if avoiding traffic, while Brunch Pal and Happy Jet have been running well and can’t be completely discounted either.
Much will come down to the start, but Ballinabola Joe is primed for a huge run soon. If it comes this evening, he will be very difficult to beat.
SANDWICHES TO SEE OFF HEIRESS
The withdrawal of Bockos Diamond leaves a giant hole in Heat 3 that is likely to be filled by either Cheap Sandwiches or Proper Heiress.
The pair are amongst the very best in training and their clash is perhaps the standout of the evening’s action.
Prince Naseem and Barefoot On Song will attempt to get involved in the battle up front but the market will suggest it is a two-dog affair. Proper Heiress remains unbeaten in the classic and won’t be shy of support from trap two.
He was a lucky winner last week, when left in front at the turn after a slow start. He was racing in perhaps the worst of the weather conditions and did seem to get a bit stuck in the sloppy conditions own the back straight.
He can be forgiven for that run and is greatly respected but Cheap Sandwiches is on home turf and is chosen to continue his unbeaten passage through the Derby. Blessed with superb early speed, the brilliant son of Burgess Bucks can assert into the bend before containing Proper Heiress and Prince Naseem.
BOOMER TO FIND A WAY
Heat 4 is the most open of the eight with each of the runners holding strong claims.
Solo And Go is likely to set the pace but he is vulnerable from the third turn. With Maiden Derby champion Shanahee Boomer set to push him hard in the early yards, Solo And Go may be forced out of his comfort zone.
If Shanahee Boomer can find a way around Solo And Go without a hold up, he could then emerge as the one to beat although Lemon Joey and second round winners Priceless Romeo and Coosane Pickles are also big players in what is a really competitive affair.
Slight preference is for Shanahee Boomer but there is no chance of a surprise result with each of the six runners capable of going close.
BOMBAY PAT LOOKS THE PART
Bombay Pat is now clear favourite for Derby glory following the withdrawal of his kennel companion Bockos Diamond and can go some of the way to justifying his billing in Heat 5.
From an ideal draw in the stripes, he will bid to continue his march through the blue riband.
Standing in his way are a group pf talented rivals but whether any of them can match Bombay Pat into the turn has yet to be seen. Certainly, Rural Pest, Lennies Dream, Ballymac Stud and Hello Diego are all capable of a flying start but matching the favourite for pace into the turn is a different matter.
Ballymac Stud has shown at times that he is capable of going up fast but needs to be at his very sharpest in what is the toughest test of his career. He ran an eye-catching race in defeat behind Proper Heiress in the second round and is clearly maturing into a top-class performer. He is nominated as the main threat but Bombay Pat can’t be opposed. Starting more fluently these days than in the past, he can sit close to the pace in the opening strides before hitting the turbo on the run to the turn.
OLLIE GETS NOD IN OPEN AFFAIR
Toolmaker King’s absence from the inside box in Heat 6 has thrown the contest wide open.
The layers have struggled to separate Callaway Five, Oreo Ollie and Droopys Deploy in the betting and each of the trio could come out on top.
Both Highview Plan and Upper Horgan will come home fast but one suspects it may be too late with one of the aforementioned trio at the head of the betting likely to get loose. The pin falls on Oreo Ollie and he is a tentative selection but nothing will come easy. Value hunters will take a second look at the fast-finishing Highview Plan.
LAHDEDAH REMAINS A STAR
De Lahdedah may be just a few weeks shy of turning four but he retains all his power, pace and incredible ability.
He is selected as the bet of the night in Heat 7 where he will look to slip around behind the likes of Cheque For Cash before making a decisive move from the third turn.
Drawn in three, the Liam Dowling trained superstar will need to mind himself in the opening exchanges but is likely to turn close enough. Cheque For Cash and Faypoint Harvey can race prominently on the inside and Tarsna Maasai in the stripes but the main threat to De Lahdedah comes in the form of his strong running kennel companion, Champion Plate winner Ballymac Tibet.
De Lahdedah can take charge in the second half of the contest before going on to contain Ballymac Tibet with Cheque For Cash nominated as the main threat to the duo.
GLENGAR TO SILENCE RIVALS
The final heat of the round is another wide-open affair.
Had it not been for last week’s run, Seven Beach would have been a warm favourite but the manner in which he folded from the final turn is a concern. He is again a possible leader but looks vulnerable.
Magical Mag did everything right to contain De Lahdedah last week. She will need another flying exit to get off the front from an inside draw as Phoenix Memphis is likely to go up fast on her right shoulder. Westway Rossa can also go up well and is respected from three, while Hot Wood and Glengar Silent complete a talented field.
Hot Wood needs to return to his very best to land a blow but Glengar Silent seems to be developing into the star he has promised to be. The November ’23 whelp is almost a full year younger than the nest youngest runner in the line up and seems to improve every time he hits the track.
He will need to find a way to turn close, but he has terrific back straight pace and will be absolutely flying from the second turn. He is just selected ahead of Seven Beach and Magical Mag.