Pestana The New Favourite to Win The BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby

There was plenty of excitement at HQ over the weekend as the second round of the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby took centre stage, but it was Pestana who stole the show yet again.

Pestana became the first greyhound in history to break the 29 seconds barrier over the 550 yards trip on Saturday night as this Owen McKenna-trained talent burst from trap one to make all in a dominant performance to record 28.99.

The old track record was recorded in 2015 by Tyrur Van Gaal but Pestana shattered the 29.10 record and has now seen his price plummet into the new 11/2 favourite to win the Derby from 8/1. Newinn Taylor was a brilliant runner-up to Pestana but remains 12/1 to grab the title.

Glengar Bale stole the headlines on Friday night as the Pat Buckley trained youngster skipped round in 29.15, the fastest time of the night with a brilliant sectional of 16.93 to the third bend. His odds were cut into the new 7/1 favourite from 12/1 before Pestana broke the track record 24 hours later.

Ballymac Cooper equalled the previous track record of 29.10 on Saturday which has seen his odds tumble into 10/1 from 16/1 placing him alongside his kennel mate and heat winner on the same night, Ballymac Wild.

It was a superb night for trainer Liam Dowling as he had two other heat winners with Ballymac Anton (20/1) and Great Name That (50/1 from 66/1), giving the Kerry man a four-timer on the card. Indeed, Ballymac Tas (50/1) also qualified along with Antigua Sands (66/1) meaning the super trainer has six through to the third round.

Epic Hero has been backed into 20/1 from 66/1 following his win on Friday night to clock 29.19 for trainer Thomas O’Donovan. This Produce Stakes finalist was very impressive on just his ninth career start.

Last year’s finalist Our Surprise, who unfortunately had to withdraw due to an injury before the final, was back to winning ways as he clocked a flashy 29.53, coming from behind to snatch victory on the line. This Laurence Jones-trained black beauty is now 33/1 from 50/1 to win the Derby.

What an incredible weekend of action for the second round of the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby. The stands might have been empty but the atmosphere in the kennels was electric as Pestana broke the track record to clock 28.99.