With Joe enjoying a well-deserved break at present, it’s left to me to go over the Boylesports Irish Derby. Nothing like covering at a nice easy time, just the 26 heats to look over!
Barry Caul joined Dani Jackson on this week’s Gone To The Dogs podcast and has gone over the first round in great detail, giving an insight into every heat. This should be invaluable to anyone looking to get involved across the two days of the first round heats or ante-post.
We have four ante-post selections for the competition below.
Bombay Pat – 12/1 (general)
It’s a seriously deep field this year. The likes of Bockos Diamond and Callaway Knegare are justifiably at the head of the market but this wide runner could be an even newer kid on the block than they are! A strapping son of Pestana, he has found his feet in recent starts, producing two of the six quickest times over the Derby distance at Shelbourne in 2024.
As with the two mentioned above and the likes of March On Freddie, he is lightly-raced enough to have better still to come. Should get a draw he appreciates more often than not in the early rounds. The depth of talent in the wide runners in the latter stages could make for some interesting stories. The exciting thing about most at the head of the market this year is nobody knows where their ceiling lies.
Carrick Aldo – 40/1 (general)
I was delighted to hear that Barry was keen on his chances as well. There are few dogs who have the same gears to the bend that this lad has. The 2023 winner of the Bar One Irish Sprint Cup, he made it back to the final again this year, finishing fifth. A semi-finalist in the Tote Gold Cup at this track earlier in 2024, he got knocked over at the first bend when 6/4 for his semi.
Was a Laurels finalist last year as well, bringing his form to the table every time he is asked. Is another who has a wide tag which will be helpful to at least the halfway point of the competition. No surprise that the sponsors are offering just 8/13 that a wide runner will lift the trophy.
Romeo Taylor – 100/1 (bet365) 66/1 (general)
Last seen finishing third behind Crafty Shivoo in the Laurels final. The brutal weather will have been a huge negative to a dog who is all about early speed. Consistency is his second strongest asset, finishing in the first three in 24 of his 27 career starts so far. As long as he keeps trapping, he is going to lead them a merry dance.
There are plenty of stronger stayers in the competition than him but his record suggests that he is going to be able to keep on qualifying. His early pace can get him into a challenging position and at the odds, he can have a good run at this.
Ballymac Briar – 100/1 (general)
Big fan of this early paced hound who gave Callaway Knegare plenty to think about for the first three-quarters of the Time Juvenile Derby final. That was back in August and has not been seen in race action since. Hopefully, Liam Dowling has been keeping the youngster fresh for a tilt here.
He is going to have to be on his toes in a strong enough opening round heat to kick off Saturday night. The gears to the third bend he showed back in the summer are going to stand him in good stead and while he will need to find a little more in the way of stamina, he is only just out of puppy status and should have a bit of progression to come.
