Big Guns Set To Collide In Quarter Finals

There are just 24 remaining hopefuls in the 2014 Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby as he move to the quarter final stages.

There are big clashes in each of the quarter finals and I’m sure there will be plenty of spills and thrills on Saturday night.

The Outright market as we head into Saturday night currently see’s Laughil Blake and Mind the Net jostling for favouritism at 5/1, Ballymac Vic, Skywalker Farloe and Vulturi are all available at 10/1 and it is 14/1 bar.

1st Quarter

Ballymac Vic is likely to head to traps a short priced favourite for the opening quarter final after his latest two impressive outings however, Kisses for Cloda who has also been highly impressive so far, is drawn on the inside of Vic and this for me could be the deciding factor.

Ivy Hill Prince will run from trap 1 and having failed to start quickly in his races so far in the Derby, if he can get a quicker start he could run a big race as this is the first time he will wear the red jacket too.

In trap 2 we have Shopping Basket and he will bid to lead trap one to the corner, if he can do this he could be well placed to challenge late on. Kisses for Cloda has improved with each run in the competition so far and for me he has an ideal draw in trap three, as there are two inferior starters on his inside and if he starts well I can see him going all the way to victory in this heat.

In the coffin box we have Ballymac Vic who has proved he still has plenty in his aging legs after two fast wins in the past two weeks, Vic will face a trickier draw in the past few runs and although I predict him coming up short of the win, I do see him making it through to the semi’s.

Wearing the orange jacket is Ballyana Foxtrot who has really taken off in his last two starts and with a possible collision between the two runners on his inner, he has a perfect draw to capitalise and if this strong running sort can start like he did last week, I think he will make a bold bid.

Out in the stripes in Borneo, Peter Cronin’s runner will be suited by the early heat but, he does face a far from ideal draw with plenty of early on his inner and if he is to progress, he will need a fast start and luck at the corner.

2nd Quarter

For me this is the most open heat of the night where you could make a case for any of the six runners. I feel in this race with six inside seeds, it might be best to go with the best drawn and that is Vulturi in trap one.

Vulturi is by far the slowest dog in the Derby to the bend but, that could work in his favour in this trick race because, with six inside seeds there is likely to be trouble and being behind early he may avoid all of it and secure victory late on.

Homeless Boy will race from trap two, he produced a much more encouraging effort last time out after a quick start and if he can start like that again he could make a bold bid. Jaytee Osprey is one of only two bitches left in the Derby, she showed impressive battling qualities in the previous round and if she can clear Homeless Boy to the opening turn, she could cause an upset.

Hawaii Kinsale rarely runs a bad race and if he is to progress he will require one of his better starts as he has little room for error in this difficult heat. Emers Superstar has failed to start as well as he can in his previous two runs but, if Gerry Holian’s runner can get a good start he has the potential to lead this field to the corner despite a tricky draw and if he leads, he will be hard to beat.

Paradise Maverik is unbeaten so far in this year’s event and if he is too keep this intact he will need a slice of luck from a far from ideal draw out in six. Maverik has been a revelation in the Derby to date but, this will be his hardest task to date from a wide draw in trap six.

3rd Quarter

It really is a case of the ‘Clash of the Titans’ in this quarter as the two outright favourites Laughil Blake and Mind the Net go head to head.

I have been hugely impressed by Blake so far and considering he is my charity bet, I have got to keep my alliance to him and I will predict that he wins this heat.

The ultra-consistent Droopys Ward will race on the inside and despite lacking early, he is sure to make a bold bid from the inside and he may well progress again. Kilinan Baby is the remaining bitch left in the Derby and if she is to progress further, she will need a good getaway and competition best effort.

Deanridge Pennys will wear the white jacket, he is yet to produce his best form in the Derby to date but, the fact he is in the quarters without producing his best proves that if he can rediscover his best form he could be very hard to beat.

In trap four we have El Flutter who has ran really well in his last two efforts and despite not being blessed with early pace, he is going to the bend much quicker than in previous starts and if this powerful running sort can turn close he will be hard to keep out of the frame.

This is the first time in the Derby that Blake will not be in trap six as he runs from trap five and this does put a slight doubt in my mind but, Blake has done very little wrong so far and for me if he starts well I think he will lead to the bend, which in my opinion will see him go on to victory.

In the stripes will be Mind the Net, the English Derby finalist has been consistently starting well and if he can get another quick getaway he will be hard to beat but, I just feel that from a win view I think Blake will have a little more early pace.

4th Quarter

Another wide open quarter final where you could make a case for all six runners in the race and to pick the winner it is very difficult, I am going to give the narrow vote too Skywalker Farloe who hasn’t been at his best thus far but, with five inside seeds, he has a good draw out in trap six.

The star veteran Tyrur Sugar Ray will race on the inside, he is yet to get a good start but, if he can get a decent start he will make a bold bid to win and I can see him booking his place in the semi-finals.

Barefoot Agent will wear the blue sheet and after a career best effort last time out, he is clearly in fine form and if he can lead Sugar Ray to the corner, this strong running performer can make a bold bid to get through to the semi’s too. Thornvalley has been a credit to connections and with a lack of early on his inner, this fast starter looks ideally draw to make a bold bid to lead up and that is where his chances lie.

Whizzing Archie is drawn further out than he has in previous outings but, this fast starter does possess the ability to make the bend and when he does lead, he is proven that he is very difficult to get past. Another fast starter with a far from ideal draw is Green Prince in trap five, he will need plenty of luck to get across from five but, if he the others slightly miss the kick he can potentially make a bold bid from the front.

Skywalker Farloe came into this Derby as the Ante-Post favourite however, this year’s Easter Cup champ has failed to match his best times in this year’s event but, it is testament to his ability that he has made it to the quarters without being at his best. If Farloe can find his best level of ability, with a favourable make up being the sole wide seed I think he can go on to take victory in this tricky quarter final.

If you are interested in checking out all the heat, specials and outright betting markets then, check out www.boylesports.com for all the prices. We are down to the business end now of proceedings and Saturday nights action is not to be missed so make sure if possible you make it to Shelbourne Park for all the quarter finals.