BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby Round 1 Preview & Odds

In this post you can find our BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby Round 1 preview as we get you ready for all Friday and Saturday’s action.

BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby Round 1

The BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby begins on Friday evening with the first thirteen heats taking place and another thirteen on Saturday evening with 156 dogs fighting it out for the biggest prize in Irish Greyhound Racing.

Stand Out Heat Of Round 1

Heat (3) has drawn up the heat of Round (1) with Defending champion Born Warrior coming up against another Derby champion in Gaytime Nemo, and Boylesports Champion Plate winner Ballymac Walt.

1. Good Zeus (Outright 66/1)
2. Droopys Bro (Outright 66/1)
3. Gaytime Nemo (Outright 33/1)
4. Commons Rebel (Outright 100/1)
5. Born Warrior (Outright 40/1)
6. Ballymac Walt (Outright 25/1)

We have a full preview detailing the history of the Irish Greyhound Derby here.

BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby First Round Draw

BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby Odds

BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby Round 1 Preview

Friday Night’s Heats

Heat 1:

• Callaway Masters – 2/1
• Captain Garfio – 6/1
• Sporty Big Man – 10/1
• Carrick Fergie – 2/1
• American Prince – 10/1
• Bulletfromagun – 3/1

A competitive first heat of the Derby, my pick for this one would be the lightly-raced Champion Unraced Winner Carrick Fergie at 2/1 to overcome an awkward draw to land the first heat.

Heat 2:

• Millroad Girl – 7/2
• Millridge Bryce – 4/1
• Nomadic News– 14/1
• Swords Fudge – 4/1
• Good Maestro– 11/8
• Press Unlock– 6/1

Good Maestro 11/8 looks like another lightly raced star following his 29.61 trial back in May that would go close to winning most races and with plenty of room for improvement. Trap (6) Press Unlock 6/1  is another interesting sort bred in the purple and could have a place chance.

Heat 3:

• Good Zeus – 10/1
• Droopys Bro – 6/1
• Gaytime Nemo– 5/2
• Commons Rebel– 16/1
• Born Warrior– 7/2
• Ballymac Wait– 5/4

In the heat of the round, the reigning Irish Greyhound Derby Champion Born Warrior begins his title defence against English Derby Champion Gaytime Nemo and a whole of special trackers throughout. The hardest heat to predict and a big name will leave the competition. Droopys Bro at 6/1 represents the best value if he can sort his trapping boots.

Heat 4:

• Cryptopunk – 5/1
• Romeo Hanzo – 4/1
• Boylesports Gift – 6/1
• Clonroosk Sydney– 8/1
• Up The Style– 6/4
• Newinn Port– 7/2

Up The Style 6/4 is not one of Ireland’s fastest females, but one of Ireland’s fastest hounds full-stop and many expect her to be the top-performing bitch in the competition. If he traps like she can I can’t see her being beaten in this one.

Heat 5:

• Ballymac Run – 4/1
• Guapo Chico– 25/1
• Droopys Got It – 4/1
• Ballymac Wispa– 10/1
• Box Office Benny– 16/1
• Ballinbola Ed– 1/2

One of the outright market leaders Ballinbola Ed is expected to make light work of his competition here so the place market may be more interesting to punters. The early-paced Ballymac Run has big place claims at 4/1.

Heat 6:

• Millroad Bolger –
• Reserve TBC –
• Urban View –
• Bredas Wood–
• Optic Chico–
• Savana Hero –

One of the more open heats from the opening night (on paper anyway) I think it will come down to either the early-paced Bredas Wood and whether she can hold off the strong running Optic Chico, with I’d expect the latter winning out.

Heat 7:

• Storys Cashout – 10/1
• Storys Peewee– 10/1
• The Other Kobe – 4/6
• Hakum – 5/1
• Churchtown Syd– 10/1
• Burj Khalifa – 4/1

The Other Kobe is probably the outstanding tracker, in what is an extremely strong field but at 4/6 I wouldn’t see him as an attractive betting prospect. If Burj Khalifa at 4/1 can bring his Towcester form he has massive each-way claims.

Heat 8:

• Saleen Ollie – 12/1
• Garfiney Blaze– 8/1
• Kapuka Warrior – 10/1
• Clona Duke – 1/2
• Steven Beach– 6/1
• Sogna In Grande– 5/1

One of the market leaders Clona Duka is tipped to make light work of the field here following his 28.06 trial last week he is 1/2 to win this race. The early-paced Kapuka Warrior is an interesting sort though the step up in class could be too much for a place. Strong running Sogna In Grande at 5/1 would be my bet here to place.

Heat 9:

• Reserve TBC-
• Ballymun Boy –
• Scotty Scheffler –
• Trinity Junior –
• Run Faster –
• Typical Bono –

Peter Cronin trained Trinity Junior and should be a class of his own in this contest, dare I say something that could happen a few times in this competition.

Heat 10:

• Deadly Showtime – 5/2
• Unreal Bruiser –  4/1
• Some Bolger –  16/1
• Catunda Syd – 10/1
• Lotto Other News – 6/1
• Annagh Bailey – 11/10

Annagh Bailey is a classy tracker and should be far too good for the field here.

Heat 11:

• Midfield Deano – 16/1
• Cheque For Sir– 5/1
• Bonkersinyonkers– 10/1
• Hawkfield Dora – 16/1
• Drombeg Ten– 12/1
• Coolavanny Hoffa

Coolavanny Hoffa “Superstar tracker, returning after a layoff, Derby favourite and expected to win. But at 1/4 Hoffa is not much of a betting prospect in this heat. Bonkersinyonkers at 10/1 may have each-way claims.

Heat 12:

• Well Met – 5/1
• Twoinarow – 8/1
• Mr Chelm– 4/1
• Ballymac Marino– 13/8
• Undulation – 5/1
• Magical Kuba – 7/2

Ballymac Marino is a talented tracker and a worthy favourite of this race. That being said there is quality from Trap (1) to Trap (6) in this race, so I don’t think 13/8 is an attractive price. If I was putting a place bet on 33it would be with Mr Chelm at 4/1 but the two outside him have claims too and would probably best avoid this race.

Heat 13:

• Hawkfield Blue – 4/1
• Gaytime Hugo – 9/4
• Bens Teddy– 3/1
• Da Bold Freddie – 33/1
• Raha Mofo – 5/4
• Hard To Figure – 33/1

Of all the heats to predict a winner from, this could be the hardest and so I would personally be avoiding this race 4/6 of those in the betting market could go far in this competition but a fast hound is guaranteed to be knocked out from this one. Da Bold Freddie might make a fun each-way bet though at 33/1!

Saturday Night’s Heats

Heat 14:

• Hannover Phantom – 5/1
• Mcneill– 4/1
• Another Holiday – 5/4
• Mayas Baby – 33/1
• Papa 3Di Oro– 6/4
• Eager Colm – 33/1

Another Holiday for M. J. Donovan looks likely to be in a class of his own here with his closest challenger being Papa Di Oro.

Heat 15:

• Disco Pants –  5/2
• Romeo Hotshot– EVS
• Kilcolgan Zeus– 10/1
• Neon Lights – 8/1
• Carrickmore Logan – 6/1
• Lotto Six One – 8/1

Romeo Hotshot is the star of this race and even at EVS, looks like a decent bet to win in Heat 15 and Night (2) of Round One.

Heat 16:

• Threesixfive – 5/2
• Ower Mystery – 5/2
• Faypoint Angry– 6/1
• Ballyhimkin Rex– 3/1
• Glideaway Alfie– 10/1
• Clonbrien Ollie– 5/1

This is a very competitive heat, and I wouldn’t be surprised if any of the six passes the winning post, that being said  Ballyhimkin Rex at 3/1 is probably the most likely. Although the lightly raced Clonbrien Ollie at 5/1 could be one to watch out for in this competition.

Heat 17:

• Blastoff Mac – 8/1
• Pharis Jerry – 33/1
• Sober Glory– 5/4
• Hello Mom– 6/1
• Cree Jo Jo – 7/4
• Tommy Hewick– 5/1

This will be a two-way battle between the staying Sober Glory at 5/4 and the early-paced Cree Jo Jo at 7/4 for first place. If Trap (1) can come away fast, it may have an each-way chance.

Heat 18:

• Ballydague Bella- 8/1
• Pied Piper– 12/1
• Sunshine Dream – 6/1
• Scaglietti– EVS
• Droopys Nice One– 9/4
• Chelms Ramona– 8/1

Scagileti is the classy sort in this race with his best time for the trip coming with a 29.42 when he passed the winning post back in May but that was from Trap (1). Droopys Nice One made the final last year but at 9/4 I don’t think she is an attractive betting prospect in this one.

Heat 19:

• Blastoff Chase –  8/1
• Freeway Charlie– 25/1
• Beepers Lariat– 6/4
• Stonepark Syd– 6/4
• Phoenix The Kid– 16/1
• Ballymac Johnjo –  3/1

This race will come down to whether strong-running Beepers Lariat can get the better early-paced Stonepark Syd.  Beepers Lariat is the more experienced tracker and proved in Towcester during the English Derby he can run with the best and I’d expect him to win this heat. Elsewhere Blastott Chase looked a very promising sort in the Lee Strand earlier in the year and if he can improve on his recent trial form he has each-way claims.

Heat 20:

• Undisputed – 4/1
• Droopys Onestop– 7/1
• Swords Rex– 4/7
• Daleroad Duke – 7/2
• Move The World – 33/1
• Lads Panther– 20/1

The third favourite in the outright market Clona Duke will be expected to start his Derby campaign with a victory on Saturday Night. However, it should be noted he posted a modest (by his account) 28.48 earlier in the month for the 525-yard trip which is 49 spots slower than his 27.99 in March. He should win this one but at 4/7 he isn’t a betting prospect for me, Droopys Onestop for John Linehan has each-way claims.

Heat 21:

• Barefoot Supremo – 10/1
• Goldiocks Magic–  16/1
• Ballymac Finn– 13/8
• Millridge Levi– 12/1
• Ballyhimkin Leo– 6/1
• Clonbrien Treaty – EVS

This is a very tough heat to call with Clonbrien Treaty the likely favourite, but claims could be made for 3/4 of the others in the race, thus it would be a heat I’d personally avoid betting on. That being said Ballyhimkin Leo has a good each-way chance if he can replicate his form from his 29.21 time in Towcester last month.

Heat 22:

• De Lahdedah – 4/6
• Burgess Bolger –  10/1
• Cabra Kronk– 12/1
• Brookside Richie – 7/2
• Stanson Rebel– 20/1
• Clona Rocko – 4/1

A tough heat to call again, De Lahdedah looks a special sort for Liam Dowling, but this will be his second-ever 550-yard race and his first against more experienced trackers. English Raider early-paced Brookside Richie has gone under 28 seconds for the 500m trip in Towcester and at 7/2 he represents good value.

Heat 23:

• Adraville Best –  10/1
• Stefans Rock–  8/1
• Scarborough Fair –  20/1
• Callaway Pro Am– 5/4
• Corbrack Dan – 20/1
• Ryhope Beach–  EVS

This looks like a two-dog race between the experienced  Callaway Pro Am and the up-and-coming sort of Ryhope Beach. I’d expect the former to pass the winning line in front but it could be a close one.

Heat 24:

• Boylesports Vic – 4/1
• Romeo Atomic –  8/1
• Romeo Magico – 2/1
• Ballinbola Una – 10/1
• Easy Razzle – 3/1
• Jetara – 11/4

Another classy heat Romeo Magico at his best would likely be the winner here but age isn’t on his side with him turning 4 in less than a month. Jetara in Trap (6) is a dog I like the look of and I think he has each-way claims.

Heat 25:

• Hawkfield Abbie – 12/1
• Bockos Crystal – 9/2
• Ballymac Cooper– 5/1
• Bobsleigh Dream – 6/4
• Droopys De Luxe – 20/1
• Boylesports Bob– 7/4

Bobsleigh Dream is special, a dual classic winner and will be a worthy favourite in this race despite a strong field. I wouldn’t be surprised if 3/4 of the dogs here pass the winning post, but I think Ballymac Cooper at 5/1 represents the best each-way value here.

Heat 26:

• Halo- 3/1
• First Time –  6/1
• Droopys Timing–  4/1
• Volcano Caleno – 14/1
• Docxtechnik Diva – 6/1
• Music Glideaway – 5/4

In the final heat of the first round, I am tipping the sensationally early-paced daughter of Laughil Blake and Murlena Maura, Halo who if she can trap like how she has done so before will be a value bet at 3/1.

BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby Favourites

Coolavanny Hoffa – 8/1

The Michael J O’Donovan-trained Coolavanny Hoffa remains the favourite to win the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby and his odds have dipped into single figures at 8/1 (from 10/1) in recent weeks.

The son of Droopys Sydney and Coolavanny Ella stopped the clock in a sensational 27.94 for the 525-yard trip in his third warm-up trial before the commencement of the Derby.

Swords Rex – 10/1

The Graham Holland-trained Swords Rex is the joint-second favourite to win the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby Another son of Droopys Sydney along with the Dam being Starry Display.

Swords is a phenom on track winning 27/38 races and €122,235 in Prize-Money had he not placed just fourth in the English Greyhound Derby final he could’ve effectively doubled that total. Following his 28.48 trial last week he has also been clipped to 10/1 from 12s to win the event

Ballinbola Ed – 10/1

The Pat Buckley-trained Ballinbola Ed is the joint-second favourite to win the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby having been clipped from 12/1 to 10/1 in recent days.

The son of Confident Rankin and Dolls Lady last outing on track coming second in a  550 in Dundalk two weeks ago where he lost by a short-head to Raha Mofo in 29.98 in the Dundalk International Final From 30 races, Ed has won 20 times and has only been out of the money 5 times, accumulating prize-money total so far of €60,445

Our first look at Odds, Statistics & Preview can be gotten here.

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