In little over six weeks from now the 2020 Boylesports Derby champion will be crowned at Shelbourne Park, ending the busiest five-week period of the Irish greyhound year.
Of course, this year’s competition will have a very different feel to it with the stands at Shelbourne Park expected to be largely empty. Depending on the government’s movements in the coming weeks, only the select few will be able to attend the famous Ringsend venue on September 19th, but it will scarcely matter to those achieving their dream of capturing an Irish Derby.
A lot of water will flow under the bridge before then, although the actual racing action won’t take as much time as you would think. Should the competition fill, with 144 dogs going into the draw on Monday afternoon, there will be just over twenty-seven minutes of racing in total.
That doesn’t seem like a lot when you spread it over a six-week period but, have no doubt, it’s more than enough to inspire some wonderful storylines and a number of plot twists.
Favourite with the sponsors for outright glory is the defending champion Lenson Bocko. As a raw novice, the Graham Holland trained star raced to a brilliant victory last year, displaying real pace and determination in the decider to lead in the closing strides.
Since that famous night, he has only had three outings. He ended 2019 by capturing the Night of Stars 550 in late November before returning for the Champion Stakes last month. After a near eight-month layoff, he won his semi final in style before finding early traffic and finishing off the pace in the final.
He can certainly be forgiven for that defeat and is deserving of his place at the head of the market.
Standing in his way will be an array of stars, many of which hail from his own kennel. Following his brilliant Larry O’Rourke National Produce Stakes victory last weekend, his kennel companion Newinn Taylor is now the clear second choice in the betting.
The outstanding performer remains unbeaten after twelve career starts and certainly seems ready for the step up to all-aged company. As yet he hasn’t shown any weaknesses, although there is still some debate as to whether he will see out the extended 550yd trip. If he does, have no doubt he can be a major player in the competition.
Others that are prominent in the sponsors market ahead of the opening round draw include Ballymac Cooper, Newinn Session, Black Parachute, Glengar Bale and Da Bold Eagle. A word of caution to those looking to have an ante-post bet ahead of the draw - don’t!
There are still dogs quoted that won’t be in the draw and it’s better to wait a few days and make your selections ahead of the opening round which commences on Friday August 14th. Incidentally, the opening round draw will be live-streamed on the Irish Greyhound Board's Facebook Page on Monday from midday.
The highlight of this weekend’s racing are the semifinals of the Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup at Dundalk. The competition is simmering along nicely and, should the big names get through Saturday, the final could be a red-hot affair.
Grangeview Ten has been in superb form and looks set to start a hot favourite for the opening heat, while the second heat is a more competitive affair with Swanley Bale and Brodys Magic set to do battle both in the betting ring and on the track.
Grangeview Ten can’t be opposed and should Brodys Magic come away with a bit more fluency than in recent starts, he could potentially lower the colours of Swanley Bale.
The feature of the Shelbourne Park action on Saturday is the final of the Salute To Our Industry Open Unraced Stake, while there will also be huge interest in the final of the Oran Kennels Puppy Oaks. Robert Gleeson is the man to follow in both. Gleeson’s Newline Cody is set to start a red-hot favourite for the Unraced Stake and his kennel mate Droopys Curio will be an odds-on favourite for the Puppy Oaks.
