Inspired thinking from Mark Pierrepont to invite some of Ireland’s youngest and brightest greyhound folk to preview the various round of the 2022 Boylesports Irish Derby.
We had to continue the theme going into final night.
Unfortunately Sarah Buckley has had to withdraw due to other commitments, but we have found a very suitable replacement in that proud young Irishman, Timmy Holland. He joins Paddy McGhee, Shane Dowling, Adam Matthews and Sarah Hennessy in previewing what looks a fabulous night’s racing.
Paddy McGhee said: “The veteran of the field, Knight Tornado, has a lovely draw on the fence, and can lead this field in the early stages.”.
Sarah Hennessy said: “Decs Guinness is a speedy young dog with potential, with Liosgarbh Lila and Droopys Edison to be following suit.”
Shane Dowling said: “I think Droopys Edison can win the opening race of the night, he was an outright fancy for the Derby and could be too strong here.”
Adam Matthews said: “Quite a tricky contest to start off proceedings. I think Knight Tornado can lead all from a plum draw on the inside, with Droopys Edison chasing him home.”
Timmy Holland said: “I think Decs Guinness looks the one to beat in here. Knight Tornado isn’t without a chance but he has been injured is probably not at his peak.”
Paddy McGhee said: “Flashing Willow is one of the best sprinters in training. The draw is a slight concern but if breaking on terms. he can show just how good he is.”
Sarah Hennessy said: “Flashing Willow incredible sprinter, looks to be the pick of the race, with Ballymac Whispa and Gizmo Cash the main dangers.”
Shane Dowling said: “I’m a huge fan of Flashing Willow but this is a funny race as we have two wides and and tgree middles and with Pat Buckleys dog in unfamiliar territory in trap two, I’m going to side with Gizmo Cash from the inform Mcgee Kennels”
Adam Matthews said: “Despite an unfavourable draw in the blue jacket, Flashing Willow can again establish himself as one of the top sprinters around.”
Timmy Holland said: “This is a tough one because of the draw. I’m going for Flashing Willow because I don’t think the wide traps really suited him. When I saw him, he was coming across to the inside.”
Paddy McGhee said: “Kirby Champ hasn’t been showing his trapping of late. A solid start should see Swords Rex clear the inside and set up a duel with Hawkfield Ozark on the outside.”
Sarah Hennessy said: “Hawkfield Ozark with his early pace could set the pace at to the first bend, Lochranza and Lynchy Boy following him home.”
Shane Dowling said: “Hard to look past Hawkfield Ozark in race three. The national sprint winner was most impressive last weekend clocking 15.66 to halfway, anything near this and it will be catch me if you can.”
Adam Matthews said: “Drawn to perfection in the red jacket, Swords Rex will have to be back to his best to win here, although trap five will be diving for the rails. Which leaves it a dead match between Rex and Ozark.”
Timmy Holland said: “I like our own dog Swords Rex. I think he is in good form and well drawn on the rail. I would make Hawkfield Ozark as the danger.”
Paddy McGhee said: “Magical Poppy is a wonderful lady over six bends in Shelbourne and just favoured to get first run over Hello Hammond.”
Sarah Hennessy said: “Hello Hammond after his win in the Cambridgeshire in Limerick, seems to be a top contender. Pablo Escobark is interesting stepping up to six bends, Magically Poppy who’s another brilliant stayer will be hard to beat if she gets loose.”
Shane Dowling said: ” I like Hello Hammond in the 750, he is a dog in super form at the minute.”
Adam Matthews said: “What looks a top class staying race. The English Derby finalist Hello Hammond can dictate matters here and lead home Magical Poppy back in second. “
Timmy Holland said: “It’s got to be Hello Hammond. He ran Limerick really well and that is a tough 750. Our bitch in three has been in season and this looks a tough race.”
Paddy McGhee said: “Good Cody is a rare talent. I’m not sure if an Irish Sprint Cup winner has lined up in this race or over this distance in the recent past, but he will take some stopping.”
Sarah Hennessy said: “Hanover Phantom well boxed in one, could cause an upset with Good Cody and Ringabella Boy the main threats”
Shane Dowling said: “Good Cody looks the NAP of the night in 575.”
Adam Matthews said: “My next best on the card is Good Cody. An interesting step up in trip to 575y could be the difference for the 2021 national sprint winner. This dog is forecasted to go along way clear, and should hold on. The key to Good Cody is trapping infront of trap six, as he’s a bang railer.”
Timmy Holland said: “Good Cody for me. I think the longer run up suits him and he is definitely staying on stronger this year.”
Paddy McGhee said: “Flaminmoneybags showed lovely early pace in the Derby and has a nice make up here.”
Sarah Hennessy said: “Zoom with his early pace needs to get to the first bend ahead, with Flaminmoney Bags a trustworthy racer and Crafty Bonanza a big player on the outside.”
Shane Dowling said: “Flaminmoneybags gave connections a great ride in the Derby and could be the most popular winner of the night if he can get the Job done in race six.”
Adam Matthews said: “The sixth race is a wide open affair. I gave the verdict to Flamingmoneybags to lead all.”
Timmy Holland said: “I really like Flamingmoneybags. He is a good tough Shelbourne type and well named.”
Paddy McGhee said: “The English Derby runner-up Kildare looks nicely drawn as Kobe and Well Met may edge inwards, Garryvoe Joe looks the big danger.”
Sarah Hennessy said: “Kildare – my Next Best for the meeting – is a promising dog after being English Derby runner up and I think can win. Bobsleigh Dream another powerful racer could chase him home.”
Shane Dowling said: “I’m going for Kildare as my Next Best in the Plate Final.”
Adam Matthews said: “The sixth race is a wide open affair. I gave the verdict to trap three to lead all. English Derby finalist Kildare will be hard to stop here if coming out on terms. The puppy Garryvoe Joe, is perfectly drew on the inside and could prove to be his biggest rival.”.
Timmy Holland said: “I quite fancy our lad Garryvoe Joe. I think the draw suits him in one and he could grab the inside line. The obvious danger is Kildare, a quality hound.”
Paddy McGhee said: ” A wonderful occasion awaits on Saturday night in Shelbourne Park and we have an enthralling final to look forward to. Unusually, it looks as though the draw isn’t a hindrance to any of the runners but the run to bend will be crucial as always.
“Born Warrior has been foot perfect to the third bend in each round thus far and it will not be a shock to see him in front there again. The middle pair of Maries Wedding and Ballymac Finn will aim to get up his inside early but that is a tough task as Warrior really cuts the first bend. Callaway Pro Am has a perfect pitch on the fence and should have a big say. Droopys Nice One is ideally drawn and can certainly go up faster than she did last week. Positions off the second bend will be vital and all eyes will be scanning the field looking for one lady in particular! Will Crafty Kokoro be close enough to deliver her devastating finish?
“In trying to narrow this down all week I’ve just sided with Ballymac Finn over Callaway Pro Am. He is ideally housed and can hopefully make a slick exit from trap four. So much depends on the opening bend however, and should any scrimmaging occur Crafty Kokoro will be taking dead aim at the leader, no matter who that is!”
Sarah Hennessy said: “Ballymac Finn is a top class dog with the pace to hit the front off the last bend. Callaway Pro Am an exceptional talented dog, will be a difficult dog to keep out of the frame and Craft Kokoro a young and extremely exciting young bitch, after winning the Corn Cuchculiann, has proven her stamina. I’ll take a chance with Kokoro at the prices for some value.”
Shane Dowling said: “The Derby Final is a hugely open and competitive race with all six having legitimate claims. The Draw has been very fair giving all runners a chance but to be honest Callaway Pro Am has the best if the Draw and will take a lot of beating but I will be hoping for a career best from Ballymac Finn to spoil the party.
Adam Matthews said: “I think trap Born Warrior will definitely lead around the opening bend, and then it’s a case of catch me if you can. Personally, with an ideal draw on the inside, I think Callaway Pro Am will get up the inside of Warrior at the final bend and complete a wonderful two in a row for trainer Owen McKenna. However if there’s any traffic up front, super stayer Crafty Kokoro will be ready to pounce.”
Timmy Holland said: “I think Born Warrior will lead, Callaway Pro Am will get a decent run on the inside and come to challenge from the last bend with the two finishing strongly.”
Paddy McGhee said: “It is still hard to comprehend Coolavanny Hoffa‘s exit from the Derby last week. One of the finest in training and sure to be a short price to win again.”
Sarah Hennessy said: “Coolavanny Hoffa is definitely the dog to beat here with Hoodoo Brown and Gortkelly Nester to be my choice of the rest. Hoffa is my NAP selection.”
Shane Dowling said: “Coolavanny Hoffa was most awful unlucky in the semi final last weekend and I see him bouncing back to winning ways in the Consolation.”
Adam Matthews said: ” In all probability, the fastest dog in Ireland, Coolavanny Hoffa, will be odds on in this contest.”
Timmy Holland said: “Coolavanny Hoffa. Very very unlucky last week and a real classy greyhound.”
Paddy McGhee said: “Bockos Crystal – my Next Best – has been showing what she can do of late, she has wonderful all-round pace and will be tough to pass around the first two bends from her inside draw.”
Sarah Hennessy said: “Mustang Jet with brilliant pace can make all with Bockos Crystal and Clona Blu coming in second and third.”
Shane Dowling said: “I like Bockos Crystal in race ten, though she will have to work hard as Mustang Jet looks a likely leader, this impressive youngster is well housed and will be hard to hold.”
Adam Matthews said: ” My NAP of the night comes in race ten. After a fine display last week, Bockos Crystal can back it up with another success from the red jacket. Mustang Jet would be the obvious danger as well as the veteran Beach Avenue.”
Timmy Holland said: “I think Bockos Crystal is the one they all have to beat. She is well drawn on the inside and I can see the wide runners getting in each other’s way.”
Paddy McGhee said: “Clogheen Lass is a strong lady over this distance, impressive in Munster Oaks two weeks ago and may be able to capitalise on any early jostling towards the inside
Sarah Hennessy said: “Clogheen Lass with her amazing pace is a difficult bitch to beat here, Singalong Sally and Luna Rocket are also two brilliant racers.”
Shane Dowling said: “The open bitch 525 is one of the most open races on the card with 6 talented ladies, it would be one I’d avoid. If you put a gun to my head I’d side with Clogheen Lass as she may have the best of the draw.”
Adam Matthews said: ” The Munster Oaks champion will be hard to beat in race 11. The Graham Holland trained Clogheen Lass will be hard to contain if turning handy. Singalong sally looks an obvious threat, however I’ll side with Clogheen on this occasion.”
Timmy Holland said: “I’m going with Crossfield Linda who has the early pace to get clear. Clogheen Lass is fast enough, but she doesn’t always come away that quickly and that could work against her in this field.”
Paddy McGhee said: “Ballinabola Ed – my NAP – is a serious greyhound. He gained a lot of admirers during his exploits in the English Derby. Electric pace and hopefully he can put on a display for all in attendance!”
Sarah Hennessy said: “Ballinabola Ed a very pacey dog, if he hits the front he’ll be hard to pass. Stefan Rocket fast to the third bend and Bockos Budsit a fantastic starter also”
Shane Dowling said: “Both Bockos Budsut and Ballinaboola Ed showed on their last outings how classy they are. I expect Bockos to lead and Ed to track him with the latter proving too strong in the closing stages.”
Adam Matthews said: “Although facing a tricky draw, with the speeder Bockos Budsit on the wrong side of him. I just think Ballinaboola Ed has too much power and pace to pick up Budsit into the 3rd bend. Sentimental lad This is probably one of the best races of the night. I fancy Sentimental Lad to lead all from the fast finishing Droopys Nextone. What a way to finish off what”
Timmy Holland said: “I’ve got to go with Bockos Budsit. He ran a cracking race at Cork last week and I think he has the draw over Ballinabola Ed who is the obvious danger.”
Paddy McGhee said: “Track record holder for the 575 trip Sentimental Lad is a powerful tracker but will need to bring his ‘A game’ for this competitive affair.”
Sarah Hennessy said: “Magical Kuba who won over 575 last time out, Droopys Nextone an impressive racer and Bockos Leah who will need to fly out.”
Shane Dowling said: “Sentimental Lad is a dog I thought could win the Derby after the 1st round but unfortunately missed the break and was unlucky for go out in the second round. He’s one of the fastest in training and will take the world if beating here.”
Adam Matthews said: “This is probably one of the best races of the night. I fancy Sentimental Lad to lead all from the fast finishing Droopys Nextone. What a way to finish off!”
Timmy Holland said: “Our bitch in one has been withdrawn with a wrist problem which should make like easier for Droopys Nextone who will definitely see out the 600. The dangers are in five and six but I think they could hamper each other.”
