Shelbourne Park racing manager Derek Frehill has been involved in the last three Boylesports Irish Derbys and rates the 2019 competition as the best to date.
He said: “I think it has been the most open. It has been competitive from the start with so many races determined by the trap draw.
“Looking at the betting, you would assume that betting must have been strong throughout.
“It is a good final night card too. It is good to see some UK entries. The sprint and the bitches races are a little bit thin but the 750 is exceptional.”
Here are Derek’s thoughts on the card. For those who missed them yesterday, you might want to look out for Graham Holland’s alternative views.
Glory Gold is very lightly raced but fast and will be difficult to beat. Fast Fit Act is another with a strong chance, but if the super consistent Vaguely Noble can stay anywhere near the leaders in the early stages, I would expect him to run on and win it.
I rate this a bit of a match between Moanbeg Me Daddy and Blame The Game who are two of the best sprinters around Shelbourne recently. They both look ideally drawn but particularly Blame The Game who I would make ‘banker material’.
I would expect Clona Dream to be strong in here, and Knockboy Jet is in good form, but I am edging it to Boylesports Xtra. He showed good form in England and his most recent trial suggests he should run a big race.
I think this is the toughest race on the card, 4-1 the field. I would have great respect for Skywalker Wonder after that recent 28.35 run, but am going with Droopys Boss who ran very well last time out. If he can repeat that run, it should be good enough.
The best 525 on the card and a great race. I don’t know a lot about the English dog but it is high class field including the recent Newbridge Juvenile Derby winner Costa Plenti in two. But given the perfect draw, and back to his ideal distance, my nap of the night is Ballyanne Sim.
Jaytee Sienna has a poor draw but if she comes away should be more than good enough in here. She won’t find it easy but she has taken on some of the very best in her time at Shelbourne Park and she is capable of winning this one.
This is the best race of the night containing four current track record holders. You would have to expect Skywalker Logan to be all the rage given his reputation. Instead, I will be going for one of the outsiders in Cushie Jet. Every so often he bangs out and if he does it on the night, they may not get to him.
The consolation includes a couple of runners who were knocked out in the Derby quarter finals and my selection is one of them, Droopys Pension. He was hugely unlucky not to get through behind Magical Bale but still clocked 29.65.
I think this is really between the Graham Holland trained runners and from a decent draw, if Blue East can repeat the 29.59 run last time out it should be good enough. But I would also like to mention John Durrigan and Dromrich Antares. John is one of the small guys that is the lifeblood of the industry and I know he is thrilled to have a runner on final night.
This really is a very wide open final and the interesting thing from my point of view is that if you had asked every kennel for their choice of trap, they would all have got what they wanted. It is great to see Killmacdonagh make the final after a brilliant year. I suppose the only question mark must be, does she still have the same spark that has kept her winning over the last three months. I think Lenson Bocko has done exceptionally well for such a young dog and is a worthy favourite. But I am going to oppose him with Boylesports King. He seems to be improving with every run, is not in any way draw dependent and looks an exceptional bet to finish in the first two.
I would imagine Wolfe will be favourite here and we all know how much ability he possesses. But he is vulnerable when he drawn that far out so I am taking a chance with Jaytee Taylor who had no luck in his last couple of races but looks capable of a 29.40 run.
It is Worseforwear in here for me. I thought he was unlucky in his last race and you always fancy Peter Cronin to land a winner or two on final night. The danger must be Slippy Cian.
Lenson Blinder will be everyone’s selection in the last, but not mine. I think Ripley Lad will appreciate the extra yards after finishing strong over the 550 but my selection is a big outsider Mean Beauty who has been a real eye-catcher and going clear to the pick-up after recent races.
