NO ROOM FOR ERROR AS DERBY FIELD SET TO BE HALVED AGAIN

Ian Fortune

There is no room for error in the BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby, as the early rounds have already made abundantly clear.

But that reality will be laid bare once again at Shelbourne Park this evening when the final 47 contenders in the blue riband battle for a place in the quarter-finals.

At this stage of the competition, even the smallest mistake can bring the Derby dreams of some of the fastest greyhounds on the planet crashing to an end. For others, however, tonight offers the chance to produce a performance that could strengthen their claims to the title.

All eight third-round heats are fiercely competitive, and with so much quality in the line-up, it is inevitable that some big names will fall by the wayside.

Here is our heat-by-heat guide to tonight’s Derby action.

Heat 1 – PROFILE TO BE TESTED

In the absence of English Derby champion, Lennies Eddie, Low Profile will be a warm favourite for the opening heat and is the most likely winner but this could develop into a more competitive contest than the market suggests.

Grouchos Chief has stunning pace to the third turn and could get loose if coming away on terms. Meanwhile, Bombay Special is more than fast enough to play a big part also. If Low Profile is to justify favouritism, he must come away racing and set the pace or at least turn right on the heels of the leader.

Magical Jet and Grangeview Rocko complete the line-up and neither can be dismissed either with both running well at big prices last week.

Heat 2 – ALL EYES ON DIAMOND

All eyes will be on Bockos Diamond in the early yards of Heat 2.

The sensational 2024 Derby champion was electric in the second round and remains unbeaten in this year’s classic. However, he faces a tougher test than last week.

With the fast starting Lone Calling on his immediate inner in four, Bockos Diamond must come away racing or risk finding traffic on the turn. Firstpastthepost, Bockos Gold and Ballydoyle Tina can also go up strongly on the inside of the track, while Priceless Romeo will be poised to pounce should there be any traffic amongst those drawn on his inside.

It’s quite a contest but Bockos Diamond is hard to oppose on current form. If coming away on terms, he can challenge Lone Calling into the turn before moving on to halfway. If that is the case, listen to the crowd.

Heat 3 – KANE TO JUSTIFY SUPPORT

Heat 3 is quite a conundrum.

Im Here was favourite earlier in the week but sustained support has seen Glengar Kane emerge as the most likely favourite come the off. Im Here has shown plenty of pace in recent outings, since capturing the Puppy Derby but needs to come away a fraction better over the 550yd trip.

He remains a leading hope but may give one or two of his rivals first run which could be an issue. Hackney Dancer will have plenty of support from an ideal draw on the fence and is set to go up strongly, perhaps leading his kennel companion Skywalker Bruno in two. That would perhaps rule out the latter.

Meanwhile, Droopys Monk will no doubt show massive early speed from three, although his trapping is a serious reason for concern. If starting slowly, he could find the door closing in the early exchanges.

Instead, we go full circle and come back to Glengar Kane. He ran really well in his last two defeats and while his draw looks tough, it’s is better than first impressions suggest. If trapping as well as last week, he could get first run on Droopys Monk and is perhaps the most likely leader into the bend. That could be enough to secure victory. He is chosen over Im Here and Hackney Dancer.

Heat 4 – MONARCH TO RULE

Bouncing Monarch is set to start a very short favourite in Heat 4 and is likely to justify his restrictive odds with another lawless display.

He should certainly lead up those on his inner, Kevinsfort Fancy and Crossfield Matt, while Ballyea Warrior can offer the most resistance in the early yards.

However, if failing to get first run on Bouncing Monarch, Ballyea Warrior could find himself with a mountain to climb. Instead, Getup The Boy is nominated as the greatest threat to Bouncing Monarch. The 2025 Juvenile Derby champ is running at the peak of his powers and can move second ahead of the third turn. Uncle Keith will finish well on the outside of the track and could emerge as a concern for Ballyea Warrior supports if the latter fails to dictate. Expect Bouncing Monarch to come away racing and assert early to see off Getup The Boy.

Heat 5 – KAMALA CAN RETURN TO FORM

Heat 5 is a very deep contest with each of the top four in the betting holding strong claims.

Liam Dowling is double handed with flying females Ballymac Kamala and Ballymac Gwennie representing the Ballymacelligott handler.

Both have strong claims and will look to get loose in the early yards. Champion Stakes winner Ballymac Kamala is ideally housed on the fence while Champion Plate winner Ballymac Gwennie is drawn in the stripes.

From the draw, Ballymac Kamala makes more appeal. She displayed signs of a return to her best last week, only to find traffic in a couple of vital points in the contest. Tonight, she seems assured of a clearer passage, especially if producing one of her trade-mark flying starts.

Standing in their way is the hugely fast Wi Can James and the rapidly improving Glengar Phantom. Wi Can James is the likely favourite after a superb second round display. If he comes away racing from three, he would certainly be hard to contain but he is less assured of a clear passage than Ballymac Kamala.

Glengar Phantom displayed superb early speed and real grit to repel a couple of persistent challengers in his latest victory. If he were to get loose into the bend, he could certainly outrun his odds.

It really is a terrific contest and not easy to pick a winner but the nod just goes to Ballymac Kamala ahead of Wi Can James.

Heat 6 – EXPECT A DYNAMIC DISPLAY

Lennies Dynamic was unlucky to run into a razor-sharp Solo And Go in his two most recent outings but has the opportunity to get loose in Heat 6 this evening.

Again, perfectly housed in the stripes, the Paul Hennessy trained speedster is growing into the classic and will be difficult to contain into the bend if coming away on terms.

Sleight Of Hand is an obvious danger after two superb displays in the early rounds , including a joint-fastest of the competition 29.10 in the opening round. He needs to hit the ground running from an inside draw as Sober Barry is certain to go up fast on his right shoulder, while the same can be said for Coloursaregreen in three.

Razldazl Loreal also ran well last week and can race prominently into the bend but containing Lennies Dynamic won’t be easy. With the chance that space could be at a premium on the inside of the track, Lennies Dynamic is chosen to get loose out wide.

If doing so, don’t be surprised if he produces a big run to again highlight his Derby claims. Sleight Of Hand will be his nearest market rival and is nominated as the main threat, although Sober Barry, Coloursaregreen and Razldazl Loreal can’t be dismissed.

Heat 7 – STAR TO SHINE DESPITE TOUGH DRAW

There is no doubt Waitingforastar has the pace and power to go close in a Derby but he needs to find space in the early yards.

That theory will be tested in Heat 7 where Faypoint Harvey could potentially get in his way in the early yards.

That could leave the door open for the likes of Hackney Plan, Slippery Brian and Kapuka Coley. All three are very talented and also have the ability to go deep in the classic but getting loose won’t be easy as the trio are drawn side by side.

For all that Waitingforastar has a tricky draw, his incredible pace and power mean he remains the one to beat. If avoiding Faypoint Harvey at boxes, he could slip around close enough to the pace to put himself in a perfect position to strike from halfway.

Slippery Brian has hinted in recent starts that he is ready to produce a career best effort around Shelbourne and he gets the nod to see off Kapuka Coley for second.

Heat 8 – SOLO TO GO ONCE AGAIN

Solo And Go is set to start a hot favourite in the final heat to complete a quick hat trick in the early rounds of the Derby.

He was at his brilliant best in each of his last two starts, getting loose early to contain Lennies Dynamic on both occasions.

Tonight, he faces two early paced rivals in Harlequin Gee Up and Harvard Square, while Mill Willow faces a nightmare draw in five. The remaining duo, Down Tothe Wire and Barntick Bucko will be finishing fast, hoping to pick up the pieces.

The key to this contest is whether Solo And Go can head Harlequin Gee Up into the bend while also containing Harvard Square on his outer. The chances are he can and will. He is a deserving favourite and is nominated to make all.

Harvard Square will almost certainly cut inwards from six but could find himself in a vulnerable position if failing to get to the front. Connections of Down Tothe Wire and Barntick Bucko will fancy their chances of getting involved as both will finish at speed in a contest where many of their rivals are going to struggle if failing to dictate.