Second Round Of The 2021 BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby Didn’t Disappoint

Due to some non-runners, 93 became 48 at Shelbourne Park last weekend and we now know the greyhounds through to the third round.

How is it the third round already? It feels like only yesterday that Explosive Boy was winning the Larry O’Rourke National Produce Stakes at Clonmel and now he is unbeaten in the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby as the antepost favourite.

Time Flies – Enjoy Every Moment

We are so desperate for the Derby to start and to enjoy the big final night that we can forget to enjoy the journey along the way. That’s the beauty of my job. I have the best of both world’s as I get to stay outside the weigh-room area and capture all the winners and qualifiers coming in off the track. I have access to all the owners and trainers for pictures and interviews. It’s brilliant because I find out so much about our canine friends that I wouldn’t normally know. Even Matt Bergin, owner of Callmesteve (how good was he by the way?), his dad last had a runner in the Derby in 1971. It’s the little things.

Greyhounds Are Our Friends

Their nicknames for example and what they are like at home in their kennels. The bread thieves, the barkers, the ones who kiss the face off you and the ones who won’t leave your side out in the fields. Scooby Princess is called Layla at home, Epic Hero is called Jim. Pierno is called Bill, Explosive Boy is called Bertie. Priceless Jet is known as Corky, Droopys Good is called Jakey and Beach Avenue is called Rory. They are not just racing greyhounds, they are pets and loved so much by their handlers. All you have to do is look at the way Emma Buckley looks at Deerjet Sydney, the way Sarah Hennessy looks at Beach Avenue and the way Owen McKenna looks at Susie Sapphire. True love. (Pictures below).

Let’s look through some of the winning heats in heat order:

Droopys Good Just Too Good For Rivals

We will never forget the journey Owen McKenna enjoyed with Pestana last year and although you can’t compare other dogs to him, it’s great to see the loveable trainer still in with a chance. Droopys Good showed incredible gears from a tricky draw wearing the orange jacket. He won in 29.62 from Jazz Toes and Singalong Sally with the latter digging deep to make sure she booked her spot in the third round. As Ian Fortune mentioned in our Talking Derby video on Monday, Pat expects Sally to improve plenty as she has dried up, so we hope to see her make the final. Girl power.

Droopys Good now 33/1 from 100/1

Speaking of girl power, it’s 9/4 from 7/2 for a bitch to win the 2021 BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby:

Ballymac Ariel

Susie Sapphire

Scooby Princess

Coolavanny Chick

Singalong Sally

Ballymac Art

Skywalker Cilla

Kilbannon Psycho

Jackslittlething Continues To Impress

Graham Holland has a nice batch of greyhounds through to the third round with Jackslittlething the shortest priced of his runners. He is the second favourite for a reason. OK, his time wasn’t as good, but they can’t be perfect every week. He won in 29.71 justifying his short 3/10 odds. Coolavanny Chick has pups about 15 weeks old so a HUGE well done to Noel Hehir for having her in such good form, we hope she keeps qualifying.

Jackslittlething 5/1 from 6/1 and gaining on Explosive Boy

De Machine

I know I mentioned it on Talking Derby on Monday, but honestly my heart goes out to the Matthews. There is an awful stigma attached to dogs getting disqualified in my opinion. It’s no reflection on the trainer whatsoever so we hope to see him return soon. It’s a tough job having to make those decisions too for Michael Dempsey and all the team. Sometimes we forget that. Well done to Priceless Jet who ran a huge race and that Amidus Luke is flying home too.

Priceless Jet aka Corky, 25/1 from 33/1

Andy Murray A Gentleman

I love meeting all these new people at Shelbourne Park. It’s my pleasure to talk to you all and see how happy you are just to qualify. Finishing third will do you, but a win is a bonus. Gortkelly Nestor was 100/1 to win the Derby a few weeks ago and after his 29.75 victory at the weekend along with his wide seeding, he is one to watch. A word again for John A. Linehan who qualified his three runners Broadstrand Ryan, Galvarino and Droopys Yes. Well done.

Gortkelly Nestor was cut into 33/1 from 66/1 after his win.

It Could Just Be ‘All About Ted’

I was waiting for this dog to win at HQ and he did just that in 29.61. He was fantastic in Towcester and there is more to come that’s for sure. Leger champ Epic Hero ran awesome in defeat along with Cricket Bell.

All About Ted was cut into 20/1 from 33/1

Jacob Tashadelek Just Class

Well done to Con Guiney from County Cork. Another gentleman to talk to. Jacob is flying and another who is unbeaten in this Derby. He has a tough heat on Saturday, but he is in with a chance to qualify. Re Sure ran a cracker to finish second and don’t forget he doesn’t turn 2 until October. Craggan Mor grabbed third. Winning time 29.50. Solid from Jacob.

Jacob Tashadelek was hammered into 12/1 from 20/1 following his win.

Deerjet Sydney I’m sorry I doubted You

What a greyhound. He loves that red jacket that’s for sure. 29.56 for trainer Pat Buckley. This was a tough heat as we had to lose three top-class greyhounds in Skywalker Barry, Romeo Magico and Pennylane Sheba. We can’t wait to see where they run next, but I would go as far as to say that Deerjet Sydney’s win was probably my favourite out of all the 16 heats. See you Saturday champ.

Deerjet Sydney cut into 16/1 from 25/1.

Ballymac Ariel – 29.40. Love her. Fastest to the third turn last weekend. Check out the splits, HERE.

Explosive Boy – 29.40. Speedy. And heading Down Under for his stud career the lucky thing.

Deadly Destroyer – 29.56. Classy.

We are just spoilt aren’t we? Three terrific greyhounds with not much between them on paper.

Explosive still heads the betting at 7/2 from 5/1. Ariel is 8/1 from 14/1 and Deadly is 12/1 from 25/1.

Watch Ian Fortune, Tommy Lyons and myself talk all about the second round and a quick look ahead to the third round, HERE.