We’re now entering the biggest two weeks of the greyhound racing calendar with the Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby in the final stages as we look ahead to Saturday’s quarter finals. The remaining twenty-four greyhounds will battle it out for a place in the final six and the resulting action should be of the highest quality.
The brilliant Coolavanny Hoffa remains the warm favourite to claim the trophy a fortnight from now, although he suffered a long-odds on defeat last week at the paws of Bockos Crystal. He doesn’t face that rival on Saturday but takes on some of Ireland’s best with the likes of Trinity Junior, Mr Chelm, Ballymac Marino and The Other Kobe to contend with.
Coolavanny Hoffa remains the one to beat, however, and is chosen to return to his sensational best to emerge a comfortable winner, cementing his place at the head of the outright market.
Bobsleigh Dream will also be a short-priced favourite to win the final heat. A similar performance to last weekend’s effort would probably suffice. Well Met is the likely pace-setter and is always very difficult to pass but Bobsleigh Dream did just that in the second round, coming from a long way behind to claim a narrow victory. Clonroosk Sydney, Undulation and Music Glideaway also take their chance in this contest and need to b at their very sharpest to get the better of Bobsleigh Dream.
The second heat is the most open of the four with Bens Teddy, Droopys Bro, Bockos Crystal, Droopys Nice One and Clonbrien Treaty all capable of making a bold bid. Threesixfive completes a top-class line-up and she too could potentially make the frame as a noted big finisher.
Droopys Bro is still a puppy but his progression in recent weeks has seen him become a serious Derby challenger and he just gets the nod ahead of his talented rivals. Bockos Crystal lowered the colours of Coolavanny Hoffa last week and is a serious threat, while Droopys Nice One and Clonbrien Treaty met last week with the former picking up her more fancied rival.
De Lahdedah is Coolavanny Hoffa’s nearest rival in the outright market but also faces a tough test in the opening heat where the third choice in the outright betting, Scaglietti, puts his unbeaten Derby record on the line.
The pair are drawn side by side in three and four and much will depend on which gets first run. De Lahdedah has the inside line which could make the difference. He can’t afford any mistakes at trap rise with Seven Beach, on the rail, likely to go up strongly and edge off the fence.
De Lahdedah might be too sharp and he can follow up his third round, fastest of the Derby, 29.15 return by seeing off Scaglietti. Bitch of the Year Raha Mofo will be ready to pick up the pieces were the big two in the betting to slip-up, while Tomy Hewick is likely to race prominently.
The Michael Fortune Memorial Derby Plate is also part of Saturday’s card and the quarter finals are no less competitive than the Derby action itself. Each of the four heats are difficult to call, although Daleroad Duke, who has been installed favourite to land the competition, appeals in the opening heat.
Thomas O’Keeffe’s puppy is rapidly developing into a top-class tracker and he can dominate from the opening yards. Optic Chico is the main threat, although he must negotiate a passage around the wide-running Magical Kuba.
Sogna In Grande is drawn to get a clear run to the turn in Heat 2 and can make all to see off Gaytime Hugo. The same can be said for his kennel mate Beepers Lariat in Heat 3. The Jack Kennelly trained tracker wears red and, if holding Deadly Showtime into the turn, looks set to back up last week’s success.
Ballymac Run will be favourite to follow up her wonderful opening round success but must be at her very sharpest in the early yards with early speed on her flanks. Instead, the vote goes to the buoyant Clona Rocko. He motors into the turn and would be hard to stop if getting loose.
SEE ALSO: The Best Current Footballer From Each Of The 32 Counties
