Shelbourne Park Racing Manager Derek Frehill engaged in some good natured tipping contests with Graham Holland last year. This is our first interview with him in the 2020 Boylesports Irish Derby. What are his impressions?

“It has been an interesting Derby and quite unusual Derby because you wouldn’t normally see so many inexperienced dogs involved, plenty with less than 15 races on their card. They would include several who have come straight into it after contesting unraced stakes.

“The running surface has been in good lively order and there has been no particularly dominant kennel which has happened some times in the past.”

Ballymac Wild has been very professional in everything he has done so far and is the one they all have to beat. Great Name That came into this with very little racing and keeps outrunning his odds. He is improving with every run and could be anything. Catch Me Flying is moving into slightly higher class now and we will see how he copes. Meenagh Miracle and Ropewalk Bhoy who probably be classed as ‘good Saturday night Shelbourne dogs’ who have done well to get this far. We assumed that the veteran Clona Blaze was a dog of yesteryear but clearly he looks back to his old self. Sel 3-1-6

Glengar Bale has come from nowhere and been a revelation. He will be all the rage here, though this is far from a straightforward task. He has devastating early pace though on more than one occasion, he hasn’t been quite as quick in the first 10-15 yards. Newinn Sheedy looks to be the main danger if he comes away at his best. Although Frankies Jet is really a good 29.60 A2 dog, he absolutely loves the red and I could see him sneaking through if there is crowding on his outside. Sel 5-4-1

Pestana has been exceptional and has shown that he is not trap dependent winning from one, four and five. He is obviously the one to beat. Ballymac Cooper is exceptional when he gets a clear run, though he has been a little hit and miss. So I would make Waikiki Keano as the main danger. He only has 14 races on his card but is running exceptionally well and looks well drawn. Sel 5-1-6

This looks at the mercy of Newinn Taylor. There is plenty of early pace in the race, including from his kennelmate on his immediate inside, but he looks good enough. Boylesports Xtra is class, also very quick to the bend and will be moving inwards. I also have a fancy for Indesatchel to get through. He came into this competition from an unraced stake when he was knocked over but I know Graham Holland has a lot of faith in him. Neil O’Connell’s pair aren’t the quickest to the bend and I think he could get a decent run on the rail. I feel there is a big run in him. Sel 6-4-1