BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby 2017 Preview

We take a look at the runners ahead of Saturday night’s BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby final at Shelbourne Park.

1. Hey Bound
The only finalist not to win a heat! Trained in Mooncoin by Peter Cronin, this fellow came into the Derby with very little experience – just six races. Started off his career in the Red Mills unraced in Kilkenny back in May where he was eliminated in the second round.

It was then on to Waterford where he reached the final of the Micheal Conway Memorial Guineas finishing second. It was a bold move by connections to enter him in the Derby with so few races under his belt. He is drawn in the “pinging” box which can be useful to him. He heads into the final as the outsider of the field at 33/1.

I’d say connections of Good News would prefer if their boxes were the other way around as these two came together in the opening round where Good News was lucky he wasn’t knocked over.

2. Good News
Will go off clear favourite in the final and will be our worst result! He has to be one of the most unfortunate dogs in training at the moment. He took two horrific falls in his career, two falls that would knock a dog’s confidence big style but he’s still loving the game. He was a certainty in running in the final of the Race Of Champions in Tralee but went head over heels at the first bend.

He is really at the top of his game at the moment, he deserves a big one. You could say he is most vulnerable when the spotlight is on him but the money was down in the semi-final last week and he came through with flying colours. The draw is a slight concern but if he traps level at all he will clear traps one and three.

3. Black Farren
One of the surprise packages in this year’s Derby, was available at 100/1 before the opening round. Has brought down a couple of big names in the past few weeks at fancy prices.

Interesting to note that some of his best sectionals in his career have come when he has drawn the white jacket – I know the opposition wouldn’t be the same but an interesting fact all the same. Came to our attention first when he reached the final of the Golden Muzzle in Limerick back in May which was won by Good News.

Stamina is no problem to this fellow, the more trouble up front the better. One of two finalists trained by Graham Holland. He is the best result in the book!

4. Jaytee Jet
One word comes to mind with the Jet and that is LEGEND. English Derby winner, Easter Cup winner, Dundalk International winner and Irish Derby Consolation winner in 2015. The most consistent dog in training in the last two years.

He has only been out of the first three on three occasions in forty starts.

All the shrewd punters have their each-way money in their pockets already without a moment’s worry.

We were lucky we kept him on side since the start of the year so he is also a good result. You can see he isn’t going to the corner as strong as he was in his younger days but he is coming home every bit as strong if not stronger. He has two victories to his name in this year’s Derby, 29.68 and 29.79 coming from off the pace.

Even though he is drawn the inside of three wide seeds, it’s not that bad as Buckos Dream in five should be well clear of him at the bend and will be keeping out. Imagine the scenes if the Jet wins the Derby! Whatever happens here I’m sure he will enjoy a long and successful career at stud.

5. Buckos Dream
The youngest runner in the line up, trained by Michael J O’Donovan. This lad has similar traits to Michael’s 2015 Derby winner Laughil Blake. He has sizzling early pace, a wide runner but his stamina wouldn’t be his strong point. Went off favourite in this year’s Red Mills Unraced Stake in Kilkenny back in May but finished third. Buckos has shown a real liking to headquarters where he has yet to be led to the corner.

He has broken the 3.40 sectional time in four of the five heats so far which is incredible for a dog so young.

A certain leader for me in the final, I think he holds the key to the race.

If the weather is good on Saturday night and the track is fast then I think there is a sub 29.60 run in the dog which could win it. His supporters will be holding their breath off the last bend if he’s in front. Another very healthy winner in the ante-post book.

6. Sonic
Went off evens favourite in last year’s final. Hasn’t raced much since last year’s Derby. His first few races in 2017 were in Towcester in the English Derby where it’s fair to say it wasn’t the real Sonic we were watching.

Even when he returned to Shelbourne after his exploits in Towcester he wasn’t setting the world alight. We saw the first glimpses of Sonic in the semi-final of the Champion Stakes.

He didn’t qualify but he showed his old spark! He then put in a huge run when coming from behind to beat Tyrur Harold in 29.41. It was then onto the first round of the Derby when he tore around the track in a near record of 29.12. Sonic was back with a bang! His sole defeat in this year’s Derby came in the semi-final at the hands of Good News.

I’ll be honest, I didn’t think he ran the corners great. He went into the first corner a length behind Good News and came out of the second bend over four behind. If that was the Sonic we know then it was race over going into the bend. The draw has worked out fine for him. If all is OK this week he can track the leaders off the second bend and hit overdrive down the back straight.

It has been a brilliant Derby so far on the track! We have seen some amazing performances from the best dogs in the country with the only downside being the withdrawal of Clares Rocket but these things happen.

From a bookmaking point of view we took a fair battering in the early rounds but got a small bit back over the last two weeks. All that is left to say is the very best of luck to all six finalists.

It’s a very long week when you are involved with a runner but it’s a week to be enjoyed. There is a number of specials available revolving around the final itself as well as betting on the Plate Final. You can view these markets on www.boylesports.com or pop into any of our shops nationwide! #BetOnBoyle