It was a strange night at Harold’s Cross last Friday, with a major question of the validity of the times clocked by some dogs that raced later in the card, compared with the earlier races. The difference in clocks between the first and final quarter final was nearly a half a second (7 lengths) in favour of the dogs that ran 45 minutes later, which highlights a major change in the running surface over the course of the evening. I think it is best to concentrate on each individual performance, rather than the calculated times.

The first quarter final threw up a mouth watering clash between Tullymurry Act and the impressive Westmead Grant, with both dogs flashing from the traps. When Westmead Grant hit the front off the second bend, most judges thought that the race was over as he has been exemplary around the track in his previous two runs, but Tullymurry Act showed a lot of tenacity to lead again at the third and stay on to hold Westmead Grant and the fast finishing Mays Castle. On closer inspection, Westmead Grant may have picked up a slight niggle from a bump at the first, but let’s not take anything away from the winner, who is now a serious player to give Derby winning trainer Pat Buckley another major prize.
The second quarter final was less eventful with the Paul Hennessy trained Farran Crash bolting from the traps to be collared by Vito Maeve, who displayed all round pace to lead the field home. Cornamaddy Flash flew down the back straight and was crowded at the crucial third bend when looking to challenge to qualify.
The early paced Kevin’s Star lead the field a merry dance in the third quarter final, and was caught a stride from the line by Freedom Bolt who had turned a few lengths behind off the second bend. Kevin’s Star lost nothing in defeat, and with early pace such a potent weapon around this tight circuit, he is a live outsider for this stake.
The final quarter final threw up a match between the highly touted pair of Deanridge Rage and Westmead Bond. Both hounds had taken a while to get used to the unique contours of the track but they didn’t disappoint with a ding dong battle up the home straight, with the Ian Reilly trained Deanridge Rage coming out on top. It is fair to say that he has came on leaps and bounds in this competition as his first two runs were pretty average, after finding trouble in both races. Westmead Bond continues to qualify and I still believe we have yet to see the best of him.

The draw for the semi finals has produced two intriguing heats where the run up to the crucial first bend will determine the outcome of both. I would expect Tullymurry Act to be the favourite in the first, but he will need to clear the inside pair of Vito Maeve and Cornamaddy Flash as quickly as possible, especially with the tendency of Vito Maeve to move middle in the first few strides. If there is any trouble on the inside, Westmead Bond could benefit the most by keeping wide and storming off the second bend down the back straight.
Westmead Grant is easily the best drawn dog in the second semi final, and if he can break in his usual slick fashion, he can get back on the winning trail. With Deanridge Rage drawn in three, he will look to run straight up the middle which will offer Kevin’s Star a dream run up the rail to utilize his ferocious early pace, as we could have carnage in behind him at the opening bends.

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Trap 1 Belvedere Champ@33/1
The youngest dog left in the competition and the rank outsider of the field. This dog has serious back straight pace and if he could improve his starting technique, allied with a bit of luck in running, could definitely make the frame but it would be a major shock if he was to be crowned the Derby King.

Trap 2 Oran Classic@7/1
This early paced hound is surely overpriced in a race that could be decided at the opening bends. He is certain to lead up and with four middle runners vying for a position on his outside, there looks certain to be crowding at the crucial first turn. This would play into the hands of Oran Classic and as he has proved many times before, there are not that many dogs in the country that can live with him to the third bend. Although he is not a great finisher, compared to the other dogs in the final, he will have first run on the field which is a major factor. In a clean run race he would struggle to live with the favourite, but with a bit of luck in running, and trouble behind him, he could be the value bet in the race.

Trap 3 Faypoint Man@7/2
Probably the best drawn in the field, this dog has consistently clocked some fantastic times around this circuit since we saw him early this year. With Cashen Legend likely to take a step to the right when leaving the traps, this fella should have a dream run to the first bend where he can manoeuvre himself into a position to unleash his challenge off the second bend. He will need to improve his starting, which has been his Achilles’ heel over the last few rounds, but there is no one better than his trainer Owen McKenna in getting them out on final night. He definitely has the pace to win, but I was a tad surprised that he checked up so badly at the third bend in the semi final when looking like he was about to take control of the race. With an injury scare made public early in the week, let’s hope he is fit enough to do himself justice on the biggest night of his life.

Trap 4 Cashen Legend@8/1
A model of consistently throughout this competition, this gusty determined dog is looking to add another classic win to his Laurels crown. The start will be all important to this dog as he will need to take a flier to avoiding a bumpy ride from College Causeway and Shaneboy Lee on his outside. With his tendency to take a middle to wide path, especially down the back straight, he will need everything to go in his favour to lift the Derby crown. This dog never knows when he is beaten though, so if it comes down to a battle, you know he is in with a fighting chance.

Trap 5 College Causeway@5/4
We are beginning to run out of words to describe the mesmerising performances of the People’s Champion, College Causeway, throughout this Derby competition. From a track record breaking run in the first round, he has remained unbeaten throughout the stake displaying such track craft and sizzling pace that it was a privilege just to be there to see him. He has caught the public’s imagination with his sensational ability, although he has been given a tough draw in the final of the greatest competition in the world. If he can stay out of trouble around the opening bends to unleash his sensational turn of pace, the roof will come off Shelbourne Park as he may be the best we have seen for a very long time.

Trap 6 Shaneboy Lee@4/1
This dog burst onto the scene in Dublin with two great runs in the Champion Stakes to propel him to the top of the ante post market for the competition. Once again he has been very unlucky with the draw as he definitely is a better dog from the middle traps, so he will need to take a flier from the lids and lead up on the outside. He is an extremely fast greyhound so anything is possible, but he would struggle to give the likes of Faypoint Man or College Causeway a start and a beating. He will need to run the race of his life but with a bit of luck, we could be looking at the Derby Champion.

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Last Saturday’s action at Shelbourne Park saw some of the more fancied runners exiting the Derby at the Quarter Final stage

We are down to the final twelve runners in the paddypower.com Irish Greyhound Derby, and the draw has set the tone for a night of pure excitement at headquarters this weekend. The first semi final has drawn together three out of the top four in the outright betting, the People’s Champion College Causeway, the back to form Slip The Lark, and the dog who has become a firm favourite with the Shelbourne Park faithful, Shaneboy Lee. From my perspective, College Causeway is the best drawn dog in the race. From the trap rise you would expect the early pace of Oran Classic and the middle to wide running Slip The Lark to lead into the first bend. College Causeway will have the beating of Group Skater to the bend and barring an accident on the run up, he will be in the prime position to unleash his unbelievable pace off the second bend to put this race to bed as they enter the home straight. Once again I feel the unlucky dog in the race is Shaneboy Lee, he has been drawn outside a fast starter who will most likely take his ground in the all important dash to the first bend. He will have to do a lot of running to qualify, but this dog is more than capable of doing it. I would even go as far to say, if drawn inside College Causeway, he would be the only dog left in the competition that would have the gears to beat him and that’s some compliment! Slip The Lark has been staying on readily this year and he too should make the final - qualification is the name of the game at this stage.

The second semi final is a wide open affair, and you couldn’t rule any of the six out of the race with any confidence. Royal Tornado will have it all his own way up the inside, while the Laurels winner Cashen Legend does not know when he is beaten, and has run so many mighty races so far in this Derby. Faypoint Man is sure to go off as favourite, but he has been beaten in his last two runs so he wouldn’t be banker material for me. He will need to get the start right this time, as he hasn’t been foot perfect at the traps for a while now. Airport Boss has a better draw this time also, and I think he is capable of supplying a shock in this race. If there is any trouble up front, this dog will be eating up the ground coming home and would definitely be a forecast mixer for me.

We also have the two semi finals of the paddypower.com Plate, for dogs that were knocked out of the Derby in the early rounds. The first semi final has thrown together five early pacers with Tyrur Christy drawn on the outside. This dog clocked a very quick time last week, and if he can manoeuvre himself into a challenging position off the second bend, will surely take a lot of stopping as he takes off from halfway.

The second semi final has a real international flavour, with the American dog Kiowa Myth and the English trained Thurlesbeg Joker renewing last week’s rivalry. Kiowa Myth will love being drawn close to the fence but with Tyrur Mikiemac drawn on his inside, he will not have it all his own way in the all important run up to the first bend. I have to say that this American dog has an electric turn of foot down the back straight, only a few of the top dogs in the country could live with him. His Achilles’ heel is that he doesn’t run the bends at Shelbourne Park that fluently, which may cost him the race. Thurlesbeg Joker lacks a yard of pace to the opening bend and will need some luck in running to survive the possible crowding that looks certain to be in store. If he was able to turn close to the leaders, I think this race is there for the taking for this fast finisher as he has been out of luck in his recent runs around this circuit.

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Win a VIP trip for two to the final of the paddypower.com Irish Greyhound Derby final at Shelbourne Park on Saturday 12th September.

This is the richest greyhound race in the world and courtesy of sponsors paddypower.com you and a friends could be at the final where you’ll enjoy a lavish meal in the restaurant overlooking the track, overnight accommodation in a top Dublin hotel and €250 of Paddy Power free bets.

Paddy Power himself will be on hand to personally mark your card and hopefully making it a very memorable and profitable evening for you and your guests. To be honest you’ll probably find it far more profitable if you don’t listen to his consistently woeful tips.

To be in with a chance of winning simply answer the following question:

Who won the 2008 paddypower.com Irish Greyhound Derby?

a) Late Late Show
b) Shelbourne Aston
c) Tyrur Ted

Mail your answer on a self addressed email and send it to competitions@paddypower.com….posting the answer on here won’t put you in with a chance of winning but it will make it a lot easier for everyone else. We’re also only taking your first answer so at least go to the trouble of looking up the correct answer online if you don’t already know it. It’s probably on wikipedia.

Answers must be in no later than midday Thursday September 10th and the winner will be notified the same day. Please remember to use the email address you have registered with us to ensure we have the correct contact details.

Anyone who has an issue with our use of two attractive ladies to promote the final, should direct their complaints to the Joe Duffy Show. We’re sure he could squeeze a couple of days out of this one too.

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COLLEGE CONTINUES TO SET THE STANDARD ON ANOTHER WONDERFUL NIGHTS ACTION
A cracking night weather wise in Shelbourne Park as wife Alison and I arrive around 6.45pm. Parking is once again at a premium…you really do have to get there early. Lesson still not learnt!!!
First person we see is greyhound trainer Michael O’Donovan who pops across from his transporter with a spare racecard for my wife, a very kind gesture, good on you sir!

Inside Shelbourne Park its jam packed, another big attendance very much on the cards, ably assisted by those doggy loving folk up from Kerry for tomorrows big match in Croke Park, the All Ireland football semi final versus Meath. We had a mixed card this evening, including not only the Derby Quarter Finals but also the Derby Plate Quarters, for those greyhounds knocked out out the Derby itself in the first two rounds. So much to look forward to and we just couldn’t wait for it to get underway.

(more…)

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A quite absorbing night’s action was in prospect for the third round of the paddypower.com Irish Greyhound Derby. After punters latched on to many of the hot dogs and short priced favs during my morning’s trade at Paddy Power Towers, I feared a potential blow out was on the cards, or in rather more stated terms ’something and bust’!!!!

On arrival at the track around 7pm and managing to park up in the next parish, it was a clear indication that a vast amount of people had turned up in their droves. One word of advice for future attendees, get there early as this is an occasion that captures a nation. Once again this evening’s racing starts off with three various stakes, the first over 525, where off the record, two greyhounds must be placed in your notebooks: eventual winner, a lovely little bitch called Mystic Mega(Westmead Hawk/Droopys Stacey)and Droopys Edgar(Droopys Vieri/Droopys Zara), the subject of very good reports. A 575 final is Race 2 which goes the way of Greenwell Minx, sister to UK trained Greenwell River and Cool, and Race 3 a 525 stake goes to Pat Buckley’s Cabra Tiny…… and this turned out to be just the start of what proved a night of immense achievement and success for the Tipperary trainer.

The six greyhounds for Heat 1 of the Derby arrive for parade in very good time in front of packed stands, with patrons all buzzing with anticipation. 5/2 the field are the cries from the books, it really did have an open looking feel to it - co-favourites Oran Classic, Barefoot Bolt and Maireads Fantasy. After what seemed an eternity on parade the greyhounds are placed into the starting traps….bell goes, hare in motion…lids rise and it’s a level sort of break, the Maireads bitch a little tardy at the start. There was unfortunately no hiding place at the corner with Oran Classic with the benefit of the inside just turning in front of Deanridge Fury, carnage in behind. In a tremendous finish it’s Ian Reilly’s Deanridge Fury who comes out on top close home, nabbing leader Oran Classic with Belvedere Champ staying on late for the third qualifying spot, the time 29.79. Unfortunately amidst the early carnage the Paul Hennessy trained Barefoot Bolt sustains what looks to be a serious injury, my best wishes goes out to all connected to the greyhound.

Heat 2 features the first of the good things in the form of the Pat Buckley trained Slip the Lark perfectly drawn in six with five railers inside. He goes to traps the 4/6 fav, looking a very fresh hound, and has little problem in accounting for his rivals, again showing lovely early pace in beating the eventual second Must Be Keano to the corner. Unfortunately there was a lot of bother in behind, with Kilhedge King being knocked over - I hope all is ok with him. The favourite powered on for a five and a half length success in a time of 29.58, Group Skater taking the third placed spot. Slip, without putting the mockers on him, looks a dog bound for the final again?

Heat 3, and Easter Cup winner Droopys Noel is the favourite at 7/4. Once again the Pat Buckley trained greyhound is the toast of favourite backers as he just outpoints Three One Three to the first corner and draws on for a four length success from last week’s defeated rival Airport Pilot, who could never quite get to a challenging position after a slow start and early crowding, Three One Three back in third. The time was 29.74, and a double in the heats, a treble on the night for Pat…..well up to now anyway!!!

The bells were ringing loudly around Shelbourne Park - were they in anticipation of what we were about to receive in the next heat? Well it could have been, however it was an unexpected fire alarm, thought to be triggered by long standing photographer Imelda Gruer trying to hastily track me down for photo duty later on…more lens cracking from yours truly!!!

In Heat 4, Owen McKenna’s Faypoint Man, a ready winner last week, was the short priced 4/7 favourite to turn over his nearest market rival Tyrur Giovanni again, but on this occasion Giovanni was having none of it, coming out the boxes on elastic and comprehensively overturning the form of seven days ago, a ten length turnaround, bells ringing, and strides away in a fastest of the night 29.45 - yet another success for the Tipperary handler, Pat Buckley. Corporate Attack runs on for third place. Is this a ‘new kid on the block’ I wonder? It was certainly a devastating performance, but light relief for the layers.

It was going to get even better for the books in Heat 5 when the 4/5 jolly, St Louis Spirit, mistimed his break and was immediately playing catch up. This for me was a little chink in the previously unblemished armour of the St Louis express, having been gone beyond recall in the two previous rounds, tonight he couldn’t do it from off the pace, and with the eventual winner Mecano clocking a time of 30.04, the slowest of the night, it was a stark contrast to what we had come to expect from this flashy individual. Mecano, a 7/1 chance (nibbled), was the next winning leg of a wonderful four timer(five on the night) for Pat Buckley. St Louis Spirit did qualify, more importantly getting another bite of the cherry for his loyal supporters in second, Mid West Blue finishing back in third place.

Heat 6 was a renewal of rivalry between the Champion Stakes Final 1-2, Fatboyz Nodrog and Shaneboy Lee, but it was far from a similar outcome in this heat tonight, as UK challenger and Barrie Draper trained outsider Magna Venturer produced his best performance to date, making just about all in recording a super 29.59 run(to the hush of the crowd) from the consistent performer Cashen Legend in second, with Shaneboy Lee who was noted having bother at bends 1,2 and 3, back in third, but surely just happy to be through to the quarters. Fatboyz Nodrog was not at the races and bowed out tamely after third bend trouble sealed his fate. This was a significant step up by the Draper charge, a solid run on the night, and a gift from god for the layers.

Heat 7 and all eyes were on the pup sensation (and his owners), Scolari Me Daddy, proudly and loudly, the pride and joy of the Glamour-paws-syndicate, Hobbsy watch out!! He went to the traps the even money favourite and this time he got his just desserts, in tasting his first success of the paddypower.com Derby, striding on from the game Royal Tornado(I like him) with Global Hope taking the third qualifying spot, the pups time a good 29.68. Commeth the Glamour paws girls, Commeth Imelda and her camera, I’m the odd one out at the back if you get to see!!!

In the midst of the photo shoot, and chatting with a lovely man, P.J. Fahy, we are left stranded in the centre of the track as the greyhounds in Heat 8 are about to go in, featuring the ante post fav College Causeway. Could it be a clean sweep for the inspired Pat Buckley? Well if Pat wanted to call on a greyhound to do this for him, there would simply be no other choice than the wonderful Causeway. He again produced astonishing track craft to catch long time race leader Contador and the handy Mesedo Blue, to win on the bridle in 29.81, to the incredible roar of his many, many followers. A sound and sight to behold from the middle and a great viewing point.

Well what an achievement by Pat - 5 heat runners, 5 winners, take a bow and Imelda another picture with all five greyhounds lined up in front of Pat and I. A very proud moment for me!!!

There is only one word to describe this competition…..SPECIAL.

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Well after a quite sensational first night of action in the paddypower.com Irish Greyhound Derby, with College Causeway breaking Bypass Byway’s long standing track record, tonight sees the second lot of first round heats and the expectation is just as high!

From a layer’s point of view we are behind a touch, due in the main to that inspired gamble of St Louis Spirit - now a 25/1 chance in the outright betting from 66’s.

The weather is overcast, the track looks fine and another tremendous attendance is anticipating the night’s racing. Well on paper, the racing has a feel of ‘after the lord mayor’s show’ about it. I have my wife Alison in tow with me this evening – she’s come along to witness the first ever running of an American greyhound entry KIOWA MYTH in Heat 9, a strikingly white and brindle greyhound who gets top marks for presentation, and a Finnish entry EIJAS CHOICE, later known to have a pet name ‘Hugo’ in Heat 13.

Well it’s Heat 9 which gets the second night of the paddypower.com Irish Greyhound Derby heats underway. My wife asks me what are they doing as she watches concerned about the madding rush of punters catapulting themselves off the terraces into the brave souls with clipboards in hand. I say “love, something’s off”! It turns out to be a huge plunge on FANE BASHER….please take a pause before pronunciation, and 29.97 seconds later it pays off as the bookies get bashed and the 7/4 jolly powers home.

What a start for the punters! And there’s no looking back in Heat 10 when another well supported jolly, Irish St Leger winner Bar Blackstone, flashes out holding off the brave pursuers Carib King and Tip and Tin, who both look likely progressors throughout the competition.

Pat Buckley continues his good run of form in Heat 11 when his charge, Trap 6 Mecano, battles on strongly to beat the favourite Riverside King – a slight respite for the bookies. In between heats, Rab McNair tells us one or two blinding stories as he pops up to see us in the stands, a truly smashing fella and a definite ‘in’ for those ‘if you could invite four people to dinner’ scenarios! ‘Time only matters if you’ve a set of bars in front of you’ – the most memorable Sky Sports Dogs quote ever as we discuss certain performances of the round to date.

More respite for the bookies as Heat 12 goes to Tyrur Mikiemac in a scrappy race, with the favourite, Oan Legend, taking a tumble but hopefully none the worse for it. Then its Heat 13 and the wife has her eyes firmly set on the Finnish challenger, Trap 2 Eijas Choice (or Hugo to his friends) as he parades around the centre green like a puppy, pulling at the lead, tail wagging furiously. What can we expect from the 1000/1 chance? Well, in the immortal words of the legendary and sprightly 85 year old Don Cuddy, who’s sat by us in the stands, ‘If he qualifies I’ll jump up in the air and I’ll never come down’. Don was still sat beside us minutes later as Hugo unfortunately bows out behind the impressive favourite and strong Derby fancy Faypoint Man (now a 12/1 chance for outright honours). The winning time was a fastest of the night at 29.53, beating Royal Tornado, who ran alright and could turn out to be a live outsider @ 33/1.

UK challenger Ballymac Ruso, the 5/2 favourite in Heat 14 has to play second fiddle by 3/4l to Broadacres Turbo, but to quote Matt Dartnall after the race, ‘Job Done!’. I suppose he’s right but the winner’s time of 29.96 was a little pedestrian for my liking. The ever durable and versatile outsider Cashen Zig comes out on elastic to take Heat 15 in 29.77, a very decent run, and Heat 16 goes the way of Marie Gilbert’s Airport Pilot, picking up the long time leader and well supported Contador, then holding off the late charge of Minnies Oscar in another moderate time of 30.12. The winner has a certain ‘can go faster’ clause by his name, so don’t be deceived by the clock.

So it’s onto the lucky last heat of the night and then on to my regular interview slot with Michael Fortune after racing. Heat 17, like the first heat of the evening, has a right gamble going on in the form of Pat Buckley’s Droopys Noel, sent off the even money favourite. He holds every chance but can never quite get to grips with the highly promising Paul Hennessy winner, Tyrur Usain. He looks progressive enough, and in only his seventh race he could easily be warming to rigours of racing. A quick mention of the third, Forest Boss, who caught my eye just like in those Racing Manager days – wins next time out!

Off upstairs we go to have a chat with Michael and it’s off home, the wife with eyes held open by matchsticks passing her 10.30pm bedtime call. Another decent night’s fayre and now on to Saturday’s card with the likes of pre ante post favourite Shaneboy Lee, Draper trained Thurlesbeg Joker and pup sensation Scolari Me Daddy – it’s all good in our greyhound world!

Stevie G signing off – Good Luck!

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