Events / Editor / 07 August 2008 / Leave a comment

Sean Murphy looks ahead to another fantastic night of Irish Greyhound Derby action in Dublin on Thursday evening, where heats 9-17 of the prestigious event will be staged.

Heat 9

Selecting the best greyhound from the Tyrur prefix is a puzzle in itself but trainer Paul Hennessy believes that "Bertie" could be the best of them. He gets a confident vote to get favourite backers off to the perfect start in Heat 9. Step Out has been very consistent and warrants respect and can be followed home by Cox Cup winner Broadacres Turbo.

Selection: T 4 win, 3 Pts. Trio: 4 - 5 - 2


Heat 10

This is probably the most competitive heat of the first round with bundles of early pace. We are still awaiting our first winner from Trap 1 and An Tochar Blue is a tentative choice from the red jacket to get home in front. Expect Melody Pat to make the running from an ideal draw and watch the fast finishing Droopys Arsene and Gas Magee fly home. Only three qualify so expect plenty of hard luck stories in this race.

Selection: T1 win, 1 Pt. Trio: 1 - 4 - 3


Heat 11

Target Kewell's run of 28:65 around Shelbourne late last month really catches the eye and this former British-trained runner is nicely housed in Trap 4. He gets the nod ahead of the Frances O Donnell trained Mardocs Maldini and the superbly bred Droopys Maestro.

Selection: T4 win, 1 Pt. Trio: 4 - 2 - 5


Heat 12

Ante Post favourite Killahan Panther will be at prohibitive odds in this heat and should have no difficulty in making it win number 15 from 18 starts. It will be interesting to see what time the Jolly posts on his way to the second round. Last Bid has a nice card and can follow the "Panther" home with Hawthorn Expert booked for third spot.

Selection: T4 win, 4 pts. Trio: 4 - 2 - 1


Heat 13

Forest Master looked a real star earlier this year but has lost his form and could not break 29:00 seconds around here last Saturday night. That will not be good enough in this company and I would take a chance with the ultra-consistent All Heart from Trap 6. He is ideally drawn and will have no difficulty with this trip. Shaneboy Luke has returned to Ireland and if he can recapture his old form would really make them go. I expect Forest Master to book that third qualifying spot.

Selection: T6 win, 2 Pts. Trio: 6 - 3 - 4


Heat 14

One of the weaker first round heats and preference would be for Wise Thought in trap 6. Takes a little time to get going and is certainly not one to get stuck into to a short price. Tyrur Ed commands respect and I have a liking for the Derek Kelly trained Income Freight.

Selection: T6 win, 1 pt. Trio: 6 - 5 - 1


Heat 15

A real cracker in prospect here with the top-class British tracker Ballymac Under taking on one of the real stars of Shelbourne Park in 2008, College Causeway. Can Causeway reel in the fast starting British raider will be the question posed by most punters. I have no doubt he can and College Causeway is given as a confident vote to lead home Ballymac Under and Rebel Kewell.

Selection: T5 win, 3 Pts. Trio: 5 - 4 - 2


Heat 16

Last year's Derby hero Tyrur Rhino is expected to easily land the spoils in this heat. The British-trained Droopys Wells will give him most to do. With 4 to qualify Shaneboy Sophia will be coming home faster than any of them and is one for the trios.

Selection: T4 win, 2 Pts. Trio: 4 - 6 - 1


Heat 17

Final heat of the night sees 4 qualifying in this below average contest. Hey You Sir has some promising recent form in provincial tracks and gets the vote from the quick starting Compass Smash in Trap 1 and Coolamber Prunty in Trap 3.

Selection: T6 win, 0.5 Pts. Trio: 6 - 1 - 3

Tags: Ballymac Under, College Causeway, Dublin, Greyhound Racing Betting, Greyhounds Betting, Irish Greyhound Betting, Killahan Panther, Tyrur Bertie, Tyrur Rhino