It is 2020 Boylesports Irish Derby Final night and despite all the issues over the pandemic, it has been a top class competition.
Racing manager Derek Frehill previously highlighted one side effect of the unusual circumstances, the high volume of lightly raced dogs being entered. But there has been another hugely positive benefit according to the man in charge.
He said: “I think the form has been very consistent, possibly due to so many dogs coming into the competition fresh. There is also another point regarding the going. Sure the weather has helped, but I don’t think the track is running as crazy fast as some people are saying.
“I think it is an exceptional year, not only are the dogs doing fast times, but they are doing them consistently too. These dogs are a level above what we have seen in the last couple of years in my opinion”
We are resuming the tipping challenge between Frehill and trainer Graham Holland. Don’t underestimate the bragging rights at stake.
Last week, of the 11 races (one was won by a late reserve), the pair matched each other for 10-11, 8-13, 4-11 (x2), and 2-5 winners. Frehill also shouted up a 3-1 winner, but Holland trumped that with 7-4 and 7-1 winners.
Frehill: Princess Verona was a very good bitch last year. I think we probably needed the run last week. Fianne Chiarrai is another with decent form in the book 3-6-1
Graham Holland: I am not convinced that either the five or six need to be that far out and think both with move in on the run to the bend. On the other hand, I think Razldazl John will benefit from the move closer to the rail. He has decent early pace, is a sub 28.50 winner and looks great value 2-3-1
Frehill: Lord Boomerang must have a decent chance at a reasonable price in here. He is a seasoned campaigner and was only beaten four by Ballydoyle Valor last week. Gaytime Milo will be well supported. He has been running well and should be well suited by the extra distance 1-4-3
Graham Holland: I fancy our runner Gaytime Milo in here. If he traps level, the extra 25 metres is ideal. Monbeg Zidane is his biggest danger 4-2-6
Frehill: This looks to be all about Unlock Unlock. She often misses the kick but has crazy pace. She tends to run wide but has so much ability it is impossible to oppose her. Antigua Sands will be appreciating the drop after contesting the Derby 6-2-5.
Graham Holland: With Towstar Paddy coming in as a reserve, I think it helps the cause of Antigua Sands. I think the red gets a decent run. Unlock Unlock is obviously a serious contender if at her best 2-1-6
Frehill: Dundalk track record breaker Brodys Magic is the selection here, even though the draw has done him no favours. It is a selection based on class. We also have the Drumbo track record holder in one, but it was the only race of his life and this looks a tough second race. 5-4-2
Graham Holland: I’ve got to go with the Dundalk track record breaker Brodys Magic here. He has great local form though he is clearly Laurels bound. Galtee Extra ran very well for me when I tipped him last week but this is a tougher race. 5-4-2
Frehill: Deerjet Sydney will be popular in here but the draw has done him no favours whatsoever. The opposite is true of Toolmaker Sydney who was forced wide in his Derby semi and has a perfect draw on the rail. 1-3-4
Graham Holland: I think we all know what will happen here. Deerjet Sydney will almost certain bomb away and cut straight across his field on the run to the bend. Toolmaker Sydney has the pace to go with anything and should be thereabouts. In a clean run race, Indesatchel would be right in there, but I worry about being chopped off on the run up. He might even be better missing his break 5-1-3
Frehill: Black Parachute will probably be the shortest priced favourite on the card and is impossible to oppose. If I had to choose his biggest danger it would probably be Lemon Ozzy who stays on well and has a very good record at Shelbourne 1-6-2
Graham Holland: The form is there for all to see and I have to fancy Black Parachute. He can be vulnerable early on which is why I am so pleased to be drawn on the inside of Ravenswood Mango who has decent early. I can also see four and five moving in to give the six a clear run for second. 1-6-3
Before the final preview – a reminder of the two semis
Frehill: I think the Derby title lies between the three early paced dogs in the final, Ballymac Wild, Pestana and Newinn Taylor. Whichever of them leads will win the final in my opinion.
The draw has worked out well with Ballymac Wild on the inside. I don’t think either Meenagh Miracle or Kilara Icon have the pace to lead Pestana and he is my selection.
But it really is so close. If Newinn Taylor was to get clear for example, I can’t see either Pestana or Ballymac Wild picking him up. But that is the story for all three.
We know that Ballymac Cooper can do it at both ends, but like the two and three, how does he get a clear run? Surely one of the big three fancies will be gone. Whoever leads around the first bend wins the Derby. 4-6-1
Graham Holland: I think this is a fantastic race and an outstanding Derby final. As far as Newinn Taylor is concerned, I am delighted with his preparation. He had one gallop this week and is in very good order. It it ain’t broke . . .and all that.
But I have huge respect for Pestana who has been immaculate throughout the event and is a champion in his own right. The clash between him and Taylor is what racing is all about. None of which should take away from any of the others who have done brilliantly to get to tonight. It is a lot of hard work.
If Newinn Taylor and Pestana reproduce their semi final form – when Taylor did a 16.80 split and Pestana did 17.06 – then Newinn Taylor wins the Derby. But we all know it is isn’t that simple – sadly!
There is one interesting thought though. The pair of them, and Ballymac Wild, are all dependent on a smart break. It is on night’s like this, the Derby roar can unsettle the fast breakers – but there won’t be any roar tonight. Best of luck everyone 6-4-1
Frehill: This is a great 750 with most attention on the outside three boxes. Ballymac Kingdon was hugely impressive in the Corn Cuchulainn, and Redzer Ardfert is pure class. But I have a suspicion that Sporting Pat will be good enough if she gets a clear run for Jerry Griffin and Mick Rowe. But it is far from a three dog race, Meenagh Maverick is a dog with a big future, while Skilful Daisy and Deadly Do Lago are more than good enough.
Graham Holland: At the top of his form, you would fancy Redzer Ardfert, but he doesn’t look to be there at the moment and I fancy Ballymac Kingdom to lead all the way. There are some powerful finishers in there, of whom Sporting Pat looks the biggest danger with Skilful Daisy also very capable. 5-4-2
Frehill: In my view this is the best race on the card. We have greyhounds with great racing records like Ballymac Tas. Roanna Bess was eye catching in the Derby, as did Battle Cry and Razldazl Mya. Sliabh Liag is good enough but has a poor draw. But I have to go for the double track record breaker Droopys Curio, providing she too can overcome the draw. 5-1-3
Graham Holland: I realise that Droopys Curio will be quite short, but if she doesn’t come away at her best I think she will table with Slibh LIag. On that basis, Battle Cry, who has been in great form, should get the first run and looks decent value. Roanna Bess is also very capable and will push her close. 3-5-1
Frehill: Riverside Leo is a non runner in here which affects the looks of the race. Waiki Keano would have been a leading Derby fancy but for a setback. I would also expect Bhoireann to be thereabouts. He was going well in the Derby until his last run when he entirely missed his break 2-4-6
Graham Holland: Very sad that Riverside Leo is a non-runner in here. He broke his hock on the gallop – in my 18 years here, it is only the second time it has happened. Given his age, I think that is it, though I intend to use him on a couple of bitches.
As far as the race is concerned, I predict a buckle between the three and five and I am giving a very narrow vote to Butts Bound. Our reserve Herecomesdahoney is picked for third, 5-3-1
Frehill: Wolfe is obviously a class act and will be short, but he is a year older and I am not sure how close he is to his best. So I am going for Ropewalk Bhoy who will benefit from the slight drop in class. I would expect a good run too from Produce Stakes runner-up Jacks Solution. 4-2-1
Graham Holland: We’ve had a few problems with Wolfe. He had a flexor tendon problem that flared up and we weren’t able to get any work into him. That has been sorted and he have got his weight down and I fancy him in here. I am hoping he can hold the bend from Jacks Solution who is a very fast dog in his own right. 1-3-6
Frehill: The night finishes with a very high class 575. In the inside two traps you have two greyhounds who have had great careers in Ballymac Anton and Ballydoyle Valor but I am going to oppose them with a bitch who really impressed me, Coolavanny Chick. She has been crying out for the extra 25 yards and this should suit her perfectly. 6-1-3
Graham Holland: What a great race to finish the card. I think it could be a great buckle between the one and two and Anton is the better drawn. He might be in the twilight of his career, but you can’t afford to give a dog of the calibre of Ballymac Anton any kind of advantage. 1-2-6
