Shelbourne racing manager Derek Frehill and trainer Graham Holland have both gone through tonight’s Boylesports Irish Derby semi final card and made their selections.
Unlike the Tipping Challenge, there are no imaginary bets involved, but that doesn’t mean it matters any less!
Frehill: Fainne Chisrrai is a really good owner-trained dog. He had no luck whatsoever in his last race but at his best should be good enough in here. Burgess Dakota will appreciate the ease in company after the Derby 6-1-2
Holland: Burgess Dakota is a nice young dog who has been a bit out of his depth in the Derby at this stage of his career. I think the draw in red will suit him. I expect our Clonbrien Flash to give him a run, though it is his first race back and he will need it. 1-5-3
Frehill: I think Not Wanted will lead and will be joined by Costa Plenti – who has been running well in the backstraight and the three will then go on and win it 3-1-5
Holland: I really like the look of Nametab Arubis in here. I can see Not Wanted leading up with Costa Plenti who has decent early place, though I don’t think either will be strong enough to hold off the four in the latter stages 4-1-3
Frehill: Pat Guilfoyle has some really exciting youngsters at the moment and I like the look of Magical Silas who is a son of Magical Bale. He looks to be progressive and I would expect him to improve on a fast trial. Noel Heir seldom brings a dog to Dublin unless they have ability and Droopys Lullaby is the danger 1-6-5
Holland: The red looks a very exciting puppy but it is the second race of his life and it is hard to made that immediate transition into Saturday night at Shelbourne so I will oppose him with Kilgraney Patsy who is more experienced and if he repeats his 2.04 sectional, he can lead all the way. 4-1-6
Frehill: In my view Ballyhimikin Jet is a good solid selection in here. I expected him to at least make the semi finals of the Derby and he should be too good. I expect Oran Don and Lemon Ozzy to dispute second and third. 3-5-4
Holland: I fancy Ballyhimikin Jet. It is always about him getting a run and I can see him going up on the outside of Ravenswood Mango and leading off the first bend but I reckoon Lemon Ozzy will run on for a place. 3-4-2
Frehill: I thought Black Parachute showed lots of pace last week. He did everything wrong and ran a great race to qualify. If he gets it right, then he will win it comfortably and give Graham a very strong hand in the final. I expect Razldazl Monarch to bounce back after the disappointment of last week to take second with Bhoireann also likely to get through. 3-2-5
Holland: Black Parachute lacks a bit of early, but has great all round pace and I think he should win this. He overcame all sorts of trouble to win last week. With a better run he should be good enough. Doolin Prince is a good genuine type who looks the best drawn of the rest of the field, particularly because I expect Bhoireann to move in. 3-1-4
Frehill: You can’t get away from Newinn Taylor. He has 14 wins from 16 races and is looking more professional with every run. The five is the obvious danger. Of the rest, I have a sneaking fancy for Meenagh Miracle to get through. 6-5-2
Holland: I have to fancy Newinn Taylor given the way he is running. I have taken it fairly easy on him this week. He has come out of his races well but I don’t want to leave the race on the gallop. At this stage, I would just like to see him get a clear run and get through to the final. The five is the obvious danger though given the backstraight pace Toolmaker Sydney showed last time, I don’t know who I would least want behind us at the second bend, assuming Taylor comes away. I like Catchmeflying though I am not sure that the red is his box. 6-5-1
Frehill: For up, I am absolutely gutted for Paul Hennessy and John Boyle with the withdrawal of Boylesports Xtra. If it hadn’t already, the race really opens up now for Pestana. Ballymac Wild is facing his toughest race to date and the draw isn’t ideal. So I am going with Glengar Bale for second, and I would love to see Indesatchel get through for a great bunch of Shelbourne lads who would, under normal circumstances, be at the track every week. 3-6-4
Holland: You really can’t oppose Pestana in here. He has been exceptional throughout the Derby, (and even before the with withdrawal of Boylesports Xtra), I would expect him to trap in front and get across to rail. When I have an unbeaten dog going into a final, it is almost a relief to get a scruffy third, though I don’t expect Owen sees it that way. Ballymac Wild hasn’t put a foot wrong either, though I don’t see him beating the favourite. We are just delighted to still be here with Indesatchel, and it may be heart over head, but hopefully he could get through in third. 3-5-4
Frehill: You are trying to compare all different lines of form in here, but I am going to stick with a specialist sprinter in Rockettothethird who is a dog in form. I also like the six as the danger. 3-6-1
Holland: It isn’t a race that I would have much of an opinion on; there haven’t been many sprints at Shelbourne recently. I’ll stick with Galtee Xtra 4-1-2
Frehill: Thomas Buggy’s runners have been in great form in recent weeks, and I think Kilgraney Island can win this from Paradise Mata. 2-4-6
Holland: Quite a tight 525, am just edging it to Paradise Mata. 4-2-6
Frehill: Burgess Puma really caught me eye in the Derby. He only has six races on his card but I think he could develop into a very good greyhound. I understand connections think a lot of the three, and I will make him my danger 1-3-4
Holland:An ease in company and an ideal draw for Burgess Puma. 1-6-3
Frehill: I think the draw looks tailor made for Deerjet Sydney in two; I thought he was unlucky not to make the Derby semis in a very tough heat. Our Suprise is getting on a bit now, but would include him for the forecast. 2-6-4
Holland: We have Gaytime Milo in here but I was really hoping he would get into a 575. I think we will do well to beat Deerjet Sydney, particularly if he beats us to the bend and gets a clear run. Beechview Cognac never runs a bad race. 2-1-3
Frehill: I expected Newinn Sheedy to be in the Derby semi finals tonight; he was very unlucky in the quarter final. He has an ideal draw in one and is my NAP of the night. Knoacknaboul Syd is the obvious danger. 1-4-2
Holland: I thought Newinn Sheedy had no luck at all in the Derby. This is a lot easier race and he is ideally drawn in red. Knocknaboul Syd has also been favoured by the draw. 1-4-2
