Now it’s getting serious.
All the runners on the same card for the first time with the Irish dominating. The ante post favourite is Swords Rex (9-2) though the first five in the betting have all made the trip across the water. There remain 10 unbeaten hounds in the event, by the end of the night, there can be a maximum of seven.
Latest betting: 1-2 Swords Rex, 7-2 Ballymac Finn, 12-1 Ballymac Bronze, 16-1 Romeo Top Gun, 25-1 Stevie Knows, 33-1 Savana Titan
A huge clash to get third round night underway as Graham Holland’s ante post favourite Swords Rex takes on Liam Dowling’s BALLYMAC FINN. Rex has been flawless so far but I expect to see a much-improved performance from Finn tonight with the move to trap 3 expected to suit perfectly. Dowling’s greyhound finished runner up in last year’s Irish Derby final and anything like a return to that kind of form rates him huge value in both tonight’s market and in the ante post lists where he’s trading at around the 16/1 mark.
Latest betting: 4-6 Clona Duke, 11-2 Beepers Lariat, 6-1 Faypoint Susie, 12-1 Untold Zloty, Brinkleys Magic, 25-1 Jet Stream Wind
Graham Holland’s CLONA DUKE will have to be lively enough at the start and might find overcoming a break such as that he produced last week a little more difficult to comeback from tonight. Anything like a decent start though and he should make the bend his own and from that point home it will once again be a race against the clock. John Mullin’s bitch Faypoint Susie is in terrific form and has won both of her first two rounds in dominant fashion. If the selection did miss the kick then she would likely be best placed to take advantage.
Latest betting: 6-4 Boylesports Gift, Romeo Command, 12-1 Innfield Billy,Savana Hero, 14-1 Signet Otis, 20-1 Tommys Boss
On paper the third heat of the evening is a match up between Patrick Janssens Romeo Command and Paul Hennessy’s Boylesports Gift. Both greyhounds are in sensational form but there could well be value in opposing them with Brendan Matthew’s SAVANA HERO drawn on the wide outside. He’s not the quickest in the race but it’s far from inconceivable that this race could get messy on the middle to inside and that being the case Hero shouldn’t be far away. He rates a bet in both the win and place markets.
Latest betting: 2-7 Ballymac Marino, 6-1 Hurry Up Jordan, 16-1 Drive On Lad, 20-1 Hopes Rhino, 25-1 Doghouse Dazzler, 40-1 Links Top Gun
Liam Dowling’s BALLYMAC MARINO didn’t quite fly from the lids last week as he did in the first round but he soon took control of his race and ran out an impressive winner once again. He’s established himself right near the top of the ante post lists and from a plot draw he can land the spoils again for the Kerry man and his team. Richard Rees Drive On Lad loves it around here and he’s well drawn to follow the selection home. For those not wanting to take the likely very short odds about the selection he could be worth a second look in the place only market.
Latest betting: 6-4 Romeo Hanzo, 4-1 Blackhouse Harry, 5-1 Forest Icon, 13-2 Ninja Kerry, 14-1 Savana Bailey, 20-1 Aero Aran
Graham Holland’s Romeo Hanzo doesn’t want to be drawn trap 1 and though he got away with it when winning from the box in a trial stake this is tougher and at the likely odds he’s opposed. Belinda Green’s NINJA KERRY has been quietly impressive in both of his first two round run’s and has a lovely make up with which to work from this evening. One of his better starts and he could soon scoot clear. If doing so it will take some performance to catch a greyhound with some more than decent 575m form at Romford on the card.
Latest betting: 5-4 Gaytime Nemo, 5-2 Undulation, 7-1 Distant Podge, Savana Beau, 14-1 Super Nova, 16-1 As I Say
Brendan Matthew’s UNDULATION should be approaching her peak season best and with two top class performances already on the card during this year’s Derby when winning her first-round heat and finishing second behind last year’s champion Romeo Magico in the second round that can be an ominous warning to her rivals. A level start she can soon slip clear and though the shouting can’t begin too early with the likes of Diane Henry’s 2022 finalist Savana Beau in opposition she would prove very tough to peg back once in front.
Latest betting: 7-4 Maree Champion, 2-1 Signet Goofy, 6-1 Cochise, 7-1 Jacktavern Bella, 17-2 Goldies Perryman, 16-1 Burj Khalifa
A tough enough race to call and not much in the way of value about Seamus Cahill’s MAREE CHAMPION but he’s a pup with an extremely likeable attitude and no shortage of class either. He wants to be getting first run on Jacktavern Bella but I fancy him to do so and once in position ahead of that rival he can pick of his rivals one by one to get up close home.
Latest betting: 6-4 Romeo Magico, 7-2 Mcneil, 6-1 Ballyhimikin Leo, 8-1 Fabulous Azurra, 12-1 Mystical Mario, 14-1 Hopes Woofwoof
A hugely tough race to call and though Graham Holland’s 2022 Derby Champion Romeo Magico will be tough to beat there are certainly reasons with which he can be opposed. Non least the presence of Patrick Janssens Fabulous Azurra drawn to his inside. Ballyhimikin Leo warranted more than a look for Graham Holland but he’s got pace to clear too in the shape of John Lambe’s Mystical Mario who would also be a player if getting clear. Throw in Paul Hennessy’s McNeil who ground out victory in determined fashion last week after majorly catching the eye in the first round and this is a complete minefield of a race. So the selection ? Jason Heath’s HOPES WOOFWOOF the likely outsider of the field who could with a little bit of luck escape all the likely crowding on the middle to inner to land the spoils. He’s a lightly enough raced sort who despite being 2 ½ years of age is still coming forward.
