Irish Greyhound Derby Betting Preview: Heats 18-27

Events / Editor / 09 August 2008 / Leave a Comment

The final 10 heats of the first round of the Derby will be run at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night. Sean Murphy has been in great form in the Derby so far and is confident he has more winners for readers tonight.

Heat 18

Six inside seeds in this heat makes the draw even more critical. Jeffys Crystal looks to have the best of the draw and has some fine Provincial form. However, his trial last Saturday night of 29:23 will not suffice at this level. I prefer the Larry Dunne owner/trained Kildannon Maid who can go up well and stays strongly. Ashley Terry can take the third qualifying spot.

Selection:
T 5 win, 2 Pts
Trio: 5 - 2 - 4

Heat 19

Mid West Blue will be a short priced favourite in this heat but don't expect him to have it all his own way. We have the last two produce stakes winners in this field, Knowsley Jake and Green Heat. Green Heat starts and stays and will put it up to the "Jolly". Forest Baby is an exceptional bitch and will fly home. Hard to get away from Mid West Blue though and he gets the vote but is no certainty.

Selection:
T6 win, 2 Pts
Trio: 6 - 5 - 4

Heat 20

We are still awaiting our first winner from Trap 1 and Soul to Soul will be favourite here. However, preference is for Have a Fit who goes up well and is nicely housed in Trap 3. Tyrur Liam has to be respected and is a promising puppy from the all conquering Hennessy kennel.

Selection:
T3 win, 1 Pt
Trio: 3 - 1 - 5

Heat 21

Even though 4 qualify from this heat it is a real cracker with English Derby hero Loyal Honcho in the red jacket, Champion Stakes winner Shelbourne Aston in Trap 5 and top tracker Nawhobberthadda in trap 6 who in recent outings has been showing a return to form. There are doubts about the fitness of Loyal Honcho and he would also prefer a middle draw. I take Shelbourne Aston to pick them up late but he will make you sweat before collecting.
Trade Atom is a non runner in this heat.

Selection:
T5 win, 3 pts
Trio: 5 - 6 - 1

Heat 22

Two of last years finalists are drawn together in this heat, Tyrur Laurel and So Determined. The Derby runner up Tyrur Laurel has held his form well and is the likely favourite. And can lead home So Determined who is well named.. Top Louis is an interesting runner having won an A2 stake here last Saturday and is taking a massive step up in class. He is progressive but I don't expect him to hold off the strong stayer, Droopys Ike.

Selection:
T4 win, 3 Pts
Trio: 4 - 5 - 1

Heat 23

A wide open heat and Skywalker Night can improve his poor win ratio in this heat. He is well drawn and ran a fine race here last time. Lord Lonergan ran well in the Tipperary cup and is making his first appearance at Shelbourne Park. Headleys Jenny is a kennel companion of Headley Bridge who was impressive here on Wednesday night and looks booked for third.

Selection:
T5 win, 2 pt
Trio: 5 - 1 - 4

Heat 24

Dansar Pudsy is reported a non runner here. Owen Mckenna has a small Derby entry but can visit the winners enclosure here with Droopys Canavaro. He looked an exciting prospect earlier in the year and has top class form behind Tyrur Laurel. Mallogs Vieri is another with prospects on his old form while Daleys Buzz is consistent and comes from a powerful kennel.

Selection:
T3 win, 1 Pt
Trio: 3 - 4 - 5

Heat 25

Machu Picchu has great early gears and can lead all the way here. A heat winner at the English Derby in May, he should have too much early for the ex-english Titan Tyrone. Local Pilot has some good runs around Lifford but would have to step up on his trail here last week to get involved at the business end.

Selection:
T3 win, 2 Pts
Trio: 3 - 6 - 1

Heat 26

Tyrur Luke looks another nice prospect for leading owner PJ Fahy and can really motor from halfway. Will have to trap right as he will have to pick up Distant Legend who is well drawn on the outside. Blackstone Gene is another who will be finishing fast and expect him to book his passage to the next round.

Selection:
T4 win, 1 Pt
Trio: 4 - 6 - 3

Heat 27

The final heat of the first round sees National puppy stake finalist Cashen Pedro well drawn in the red jacket. He is very fast away and can lead them all home. Coolratty Rodge is very consistent around the Dublin tracks and will benefit from any mistakes by the favourite.

Great to see Tony Fahy with a Derby entry and Mindofhisown has good Galway form but will find it hard to qualify at this level. Comeonthetown is very decent and won well here on 26th July from the smart Burnpark Duke.

Selection:
T1 win, 2 Pts
Trio: 1 - 2 - 5