Sarah’s Friday Night BoyleSports IGD Round-Up

What a weekend. Just when you thought last week could not have been topped, out jumps Pestana and not only breaks the 29.10 track record but smashes it to clock 28.99.

The first ever greyhound to break the 29 seconds barrier over the 550 yards trip. Sensational. Well done Owen McKenna. Pestana is now the new 11/2 ante post favourite from 8/1 to win the Derby. Can he do it?

The track is certainly flying with massive clocks recorded over the two nights for the 2nd round of the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby with the fastest time of the Derby actually coming from Glengar Bale first on Friday. His 29.15 effort to place him as the fastest heat winner so far only lasted 24 hours, but it has seen his odds crumble into 7/1 from 12/1 to win the Derby for trainer Pat Buckley.

Let’s take a look at Friday’s action race by race.

Deadly Missile Explodes
Mark O’Donovan is a young trainer who is doing well for himself and he has a lovely kennel of dogs to be excited about. Deadly Missile is one of those dogs and he impressed in the opening heat on Friday to clock 29.51 coming from behind to pick up the leader Glory Kilara in trap one.

Coming out of the second bend it was evident that Deadly Missile had a huge task on his paws but looked in a safe position to qualify. But he wanted more, and he got it. He got up on the line with ¾ of a length back to Glory Kilara who showed beautiful early for David Murray.

Missile justified his short odds of 4/9 to win his heat and certainly gave his punters a scare. Could he be the next greyhound to break the track record with a clear run? He already has 29.13 on his card so we will have to wait and see.

Deadly Missile remains 14/1 in the outright.

Veteran Performer? Newinn Lester Better Than Ever
Graham Holland got his first winner of the second round with Newinn Lester. An August 16 that showed no signs of fatigue being the old man at the party. He clocked 29.42 as he took the lead at the third bend clocking a 17.25 sectional. He chased down the early leader Jacks Solution and won by 1½ lengths with Frankies Jet third for Brian Johnson. Newinn Lester is 40/1 from 66/1 for the Derby.

Robert Gleeson Strikes Again With Toolmaker Sydney
Toolmaker Sydney clocked a 17.11 to the third bend to win in 29.47 obliging for favourite backers as he was 4/9. He didn’t lead but got a dream run down the back straight where he passed early leader Great Eastern and Clona Blaze with ease to win by ¾ of a length.

Toolmaker is a lightly raced son of Droopys Sydney – Emers Ivy and is 14/1 to win the Derby for Robert Gleeson and owner William Hyslop.

Glengar Bale Swooshes In 29.15
What a performance from this Pat Buckley trained star who skipped around HQ in 29.15, the fastest time of the night. He was paw perfect. 16.93 to the third bend. He opened up a nice lead down the back and was a short 2/11 to win.

He is now a serious Derby contender with his odds cut into 7/1 from 12/1.

Bit-Of-Craic syndicate are delighted with Rockburst Mike grabbing second with the pacey Ballydoyle Valor back in third. I interviewed Emma Buckley coming off the track and she was just over the moon with his performance. Pat Buckley her dad walked over to meet her and they gave each other a huge hug which was lovely to see, this is what it’s all about. Every win matters.

Our Surprise Not A Shock Victory
It was absolutely fantastic to see this greyhound back to winning ways. You all know the story behind this greyhound so well done to the Jones’ family. 29.53 coming from behind to pick up Burgess Dakota, Laughil Josh and Ropewalk Bhoy.

There was traffic at the first bend and it was an eventful race with Laughil Josh running a super race having taken a bump at the first. But Our Surprise deserves all the praise to win as the 5/4 favourite and is now 33/1 from 50/1 to win the Derby. Well done to Liam O’Rourke too with Ropewalk Bhoy finishing second.

Newinn Sheedy Should Be Called Newinn Speedy
Newinn Sheedy took a flyer from trap two to make all in 29.29. He won his heat in the opening round in 29.47 and is a greyhound to keep an eye on for Graham Holland. His 17.09 to the third turn is eye-catching but what a race Beechview Cognac ran to finish second having received a bad draw in trap five for the second week in a row.

He overcame the challenge with ease though and I grabbed a word with May Kearns as she came in off the track with her beautiful fawn superstar. Cash Is King was also fast from traps and finished third but Sheedy was another bad turn for the bookmakers as the 4/9 favourite.

Catunda Logan Back-To-Back Wins For The Byrne Family
Catunda Logan was an excellent winner in 29.31, a career best. He broke well and set the pace with a strong gallop out in front to Catchmeflying trying his best to catch him. The staying bitches in behind were always a worry with Unlock Unlock and Coolavanny Chick in pursuit but they couldn’t catch Logan.

7/4 favourite Coolavanny Chick was second after making up a huge amount of ground with Catchmeflying third.

Logan clocked a blistering 17.04 to the third bend, not bad at all!

Epic Hero Saves The Day for Bookies At 6/1
Thomas O’Donovan and his champion Epic Hero landed heat 8 of the second round in serious fashion as he obliged at 6/1 in a fast 29.19. This Produce Stakes finalist is quickly becoming a Derby contender with a 17.06 to the third turn on just his ninth career start.

The 11/8 favourite Newline Cody sadly made his exit from the Derby with Kilara Icon second after coming home strong and Antigua Sands third for Liam Dowling.

It was a brilliant night for the first batch of 8 heats so stay tuned for Saturday’s round-up coming soon.

Stay safe.
Sarah x

*Prices correct at time of publication.