Next Saturday’s Boylesports Irish Derby will attract as much interest from the eastern side of the Irish Sea as it will in Eire with four of the runners English owned, and two trained by a domiciled Englishman.
The final features the 2016 English Derby winner Jaytee Jet, who just missed out on a place in the final in the Irish equivalent plus the beaten favourite in that decider, Sonic.
The first semi final went to the recently purchased – for a group of English based enthusiasts, The Lionheart Syndicate – Black Farren. Though the early part of the race was dominated by slick starting Buckos Dream (5.34 sect).
The eventual winner was back in third at the first bend and was five lengths adrift of the leader at the second turn. But he showed tremendous tenacity to come through his field and win by a length and a half in 29.63. Hey Bound was a similar distance back in third.
The second semi final was dominated by Good News who led from the boxes and went up in a 3.39 sectional with the slow breaking Sonic (3.46) moving into second place. Jaytee Jet moved into third and the trio would finish in that order.
On a wet track the leader never looked like being caught and clocked a very respectable 29.49, with Sonic two lengths back and Jaytee Jet a further two and a half back in third.
Sponsor’s betting on the final: 13-8 Good News, 15-8 Sonic, 5-1 Black Farren, Buckos Dream, 10-1 Jaytee Jet, 33-1 Hey Bound
Double represented Graham Holland had mixed views on the draw for his two charges.
He said: “I would have preferred Black Farren in one but I am delighted he made the final. The dog has a heart of a lion and just doesn’t give up.
“As far as Sonic is concerned, the draw is perfect. I think Buckos Dream could prove a path-finder for him. I think the semi final draw was too close to the rail for him and he struggled to get around the first two bends.
“He is an older wiser dog this year and would expect him to take the atmosphere on the big night with more composure than last year.
“I was not too bothered about him being beaten in the final. He had been running so well and if there was a mistake in him, I would rather it was in the semi finals than the final.”
