Sarah Kinsella – Optic Chico New Favourite For Michael Fortune Memorial Derby Plate

on August 23, 2023 at 3:11 pm

We have a BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby Semi- Final preview from BoyleSports PR Executive and greyhound racing expert Sarah Kinsella.

Annagh Bailey 6/1 From 14/1 To Win €7,500 Prize

The Plate Semi-Finals line-up….

Who do you think will make it through to the Final of the Michael Fortune Memorial Derby Plate? Let us know 👇#BoyleSportsIGD #GoGreyhoundRacing #ThisRunsDeep pic.twitter.com/vpF7tACZq5

— Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium (@shelbournepark) August 21, 2023

Sponsor BoyleSports has made the Robert Gleeson trained Optic Chico the new favourite to win the Michael Fortune Memorial Derby Plate with his odds cut into 3/1 from 8/1.

The son of Droopys Sydney – Zola Princess won his heat in the opening round of the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby but was knocked out the following week resulting in him qualifying for this competition. He ran on strong last week to finish third behind winner Neon Lights in a time of 29.69, but plenty of outright support has arrived forcing the bookmaker to cut his odds.

🐾 Michael Fortune Memorial Plate QF1

1️⃣ Neon Lights
2️⃣ Ballymac Pete
3️⃣ Optic Chico
⏱️ 29.69#BoyleSportsIGD #GoGreyhoundRacing #ThisRunsDeep pic.twitter.com/yIaKEiIexb

— Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium (@shelbournepark) August 19, 2023

It was great to see Da Bold Freddie return to winning ways for trainer Paul Hennessy who obliged at odds of 10/1. He clocked 29.76 with his chances trimmed inro 12/1 from 25/1.

🐾 Michael Fortune Memorial Plate QF2

1️⃣ Da Bold Freddie
2️⃣ Pied Piper
3️⃣ Sogna In Grande
⏱️ 29.76#BoyleSportsIGD #GoGreyhoundRacing #ThisRunsDeep pic.twitter.com/tqVQ7S8AcI

— Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium (@shelbournepark) August 19, 2023

Blastoff Mac was the winner of heat three in 30.05 with his odds cut in half to 33/1 from 66/1, although he is the outsider of the remaining twelve.

🐾 Michael Fortune Memorial Plate QF3

1️⃣ Blastoff Mac
2️⃣ Press Unlock
3️⃣ Beepers Lariat
⏱️ 30.05#BoyleSportsIGD #GoGreyhoundRacing #ThisRunsDeep pic.twitter.com/LGKixbWuhh

— Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium (@shelbournepark) August 19, 2023

The final heat winner was the impressive Annagh Bailey for trainer Rachel Wheeler who dug deep to win in 29.71. He is now 6/1 from 14/1 to claim the prize of €7,500, which has been increased from €5,000.

🐾 Michael Fortune Memorial Plate QF4

1️⃣ Annagh Bailey
2️⃣ Pape Di Oro
3️⃣ Ballinabola Una
⏱️ 29.71#BoyleSportsIGD #GoGreyhoundRacing #ThisRunsDeep pic.twitter.com/qOK8ola3Iy

— Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium (@shelbournepark) August 19, 2023

The outright betting for the Derby Plate can be found here.

Sarah Kinsella, spokesperson for BoyleSports said:

“Our great friend Michael Fortune will be looking down on this competition named after him with great pride but I wonder who his money would be going on! Annagh Bailey has to be taken serious after his victory but the punters really like Optic Chico despite not winning a heat of the Derby Plate yet.”

Michael Fortune Memorial Derby Plate, (place terms: 1/4 the first 3)

3 Optic Chico

4 Pape Di Oro

6 Annagh Bailey

8 Beepers Lariat

10 Sogna In Grande

12 Ballinabola Una

12 Press Unlock

12 Da Bold Freddie

16 Ballymac Pete

16 Neon Lights

33 Blastoff Mac