Less than 30 seconds separate twelve of Ireland’s fastest greyhounds from a place in the greatest race on the planet, the final of the Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby. Of course, only six of them will progress with the connections of the remaining six suffering heartache.
By this point in the classic, we’ve seen each of the final twelve race four times, since the opening round at the end of July, and the water remains muddy. Picking the likely winner is not an easy task although De Lahdedah and Coolavanny Hoffa are now clear at the head of the outright markets.
Coolavanny Hoffa has been a hot favourite all year but after two defeats in the past fortnight he has been overtaken at the head of the market by the aforementioned De Lahdedah. Still a puppy, the Liam Dowling trained star has produced some exceptional displays in recent weeks and is now seen as the dog to beat.
He is certainly a very special young tracker but it may be a little early to dismiss the obvious claims of Coolavanny Hoffa. As fate would have it, the pair will meet in a red-hot second semi-final at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night.
Both heats are very competitive but the second is particularly hot with De Lahdedah and Coolavanny Hoffa joined by fastest quarter final winner The Other Kobe, another impressive quarter final winner Bens Teddy and the flying females Bockos Crystal and the Bitch of the Year Raha Mofo.
It really is the best contest of the Derby thus far and it’s very likely the winner will go on to start favourite in next weekend’s Derby final. De Lahdedah will understandably have big support, as will The Other Kobe but one suspects too much has been made of the recent defeats of Coolavanny Hoffa.
He actually ran a huge race in defeat last week and has the draw to return to winning ways, despite the quality of opposition, on Saturday. De Lahdedah and The Other Kobe are probably the greatest dangers but the duo could potentially clash in the early exchanges. If that were to happen, the claims of Coolavanny Hoffa would grow exponentially.
The opening heat is also hugely competitive although Trinity Junior is currently a warm favourite from trap four. The market suggests that Well Met is the greatest threat, although the likes of Clonroosk Sydney and Music Glideaway are also respected.
Much will depend on the opening exchanges with Well Met and Trinity Junior both likely to go up fast. Their battle for early supremacy will likely shape the contest. Music Glideaway can also race prominently, although he does tend to be inconsistent at traps. Trinity Junior is probably worthy of his position at the head of affairs but in such a competitive contest, any mistakes would be greatly heightened.
The semi-finals of the Michael Fortune Memorial Plate are also part of Saturday’s Shebourne Park card and they are no less competitive. Pape Di Oro and Annagh Bailey renew rivalry in the opening heat with the former chosen to reverse last week’s form. He is a likely pace-setter and can make all to see off Annagh Bailey.
Optic Chico was beaten in each of his last three starts, but he has been installed a warm favourite with the layers for the other heat. If he turns close to the pace, he would be difficult to contain but Da Bold Freddie and Beepers Lariat are greatly respected. Da Bold Freddie has returned to something close to his best in recent weeks and could set a strong gallop.
Meanwhile, Ireland will have three representatives in the Select Stakes at Nottingham on Monday after English Derby winner Gaytime Nemo, his kennel companion Clona Duke and Ballinabola Ed were chosen by the selection committee.
Ballinabola Ed has drawn the stripes and is the likely favourite, just ahead of Clona Duke. The home challenge is made up of English Derby runner-up Romeo Command, Candolin Monsoon and defending champion Brookside Richie.
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