Last week could hardly have gone better for us in the second round of the Boylesports Irish Derby. 11 of the 16 runners made it through to the third round including six winners.
But there were also some shocks. It always seems to me that the second round brings more than its share and I have no idea why. I was particularly surprised to see Droopys Verve go out, and Borna Gin.
There are three heading the market at 10-1, our two Lenson Blinder and Slippy Cian, plus Paul Hennessy’s Jaytee Taylor.
We have three in the first heat and I would expect Slippy Cian and Totos Spark to probably dominate. They both run a straight line to the bend, and I am just hoping that they don’t get in each other’s way. Slippy Cian is probably the cleverer tracker of the two and can avoid trouble. Spark will just push other dogs out of the way. I always thought he was a decent minor open racer prior to his injury but maybe it had been holding him back for a while because he has been a revelation. Macaroon Cruz has less early than most in the race and will be looking to exploit any trouble in front of him. He will be running on strong and can hopefully squeeze through to the next round.
We don’t have one in here, but my selection would be Crossfield Will. He is a dog with serious pace and was a bit unlucky in the last round when hampered when going well. If he was to get a clear run, there wouldn’t be too many quicker dogs in the Derby. Burgess Superior is a good young dog though he lacks a bit of early. Kilgraney Master is experienced and has very decent early pace so I would expect him to get a decent run and be the danger.
This race should suit Lenson Blinder who will probably start a short priced favourite. I think he is better from trap two and Panther is devoid of early pace. Although Blinder will be short, this draw will also suit Panther who ran a magnificent race last time out and I wouldn’t want to see him two lengths behind us coming off the last bend. Magical Bale is obviously a class dog though I would be concerned about Ballyanne Sim who has good early pace and will move to the rail.
As predicted, Whoops Jack ran very well in the last round and I would expect another front running performance. Stonepark Noel is another I liked in the last round, though I was surprised that he moved off at the bend. Cabra Hurricane has plenty of pace but struggles to see out the trip so Stonepark must rate as the danger to Whoops Jack.
Drive On Tipp has been a great dog for us, but he is up against a very decent sort in Doggy McDogface who looks the one to beat. He didn’t break in his last race but ran on very well to finish second. This looks a very competitive race. Skywalker Logan is improving with every run and has a big future. The key on the outside could be Bakery Lane who has very good early pace but will probably head to the rail. I’d settle for a nice position on the rail behind Doggy McDograce at the first bend, and hopefully qualify.
Jaytee Taylor will be very hard to beat in this heat. He was almost turned sideways in his heat but ran on exceptionally well to clock 29.42. As I said before, I am still not convinced that the outside draw suits him. Our Clonbrien Prince has done everything we have asked of him, except break to his best ability. There isn’t a great deal of early pace on the rails and I would still expect him to lead the inside two, but a smash break would be overdue.
We have two in this heat and I would be happy to see them both qualify. I would hope and expect Nice Charmer to lead up his two inside neighbours and put himself into an early qualifying position and then, who knows. There are some good bitches in here, including the exceptional Coolavanny Pet who has done remarkably to return to this level after producing a litter of pups. Our bitch Blueberry Diva ran a storming race to qualify after missing her break last time out. If she breaks she has a decent chance. She takes on Vahsel Bay again, and Barney Mooney’s bitch looks as though she is coming into form at the right time and is the one to beat.
We have three in here and I couldn’t be happier with Beaming Paradise’s draw in one. He is on the inside of Rockbay Foley who has great ability, but he still doesn’t look entirely at home on the Shelbourne bends and may move off. Packing Heat looked as though he was learning quickly about Shelbourne in his last race and cannot be underrated. I would expect Clonbrien Hero to be with the leaders at the first bend and dominate from there, providing he avoids Rockbay Foley. Hero looked back to his best last week and is a great competition dog. He will try to cut the bend which should suit our other runner Clona Blaze who is a confirmed middle to wide runner and will hopefully get a clear run around the outside.
