Betfair Official Blog

Greyhound Betting: Irish Derby quarter-finals preview

Click here to view market

Sean Murphy again had readers firmly in profit following the conclusion of round three's heats. With four fantastic quarter finals to come on Saturday evening, he's confident of keeping the run going..

We are down to the last 24 in what I would consider the best quality field in an Irish Derby in over 20 years. A strong case can be made for at least 12 of the remaining runners and it is almost impossible to name a winner at this point. Pat Buckley still holds all the aces and has four dogs still in the classic with three of these leading the betting in some Ante post lists. Once again there are some mouth watering clashes in the four heats with the first four in the betting being kept apart.

Heat 1

It should be a real scramble to the bend in this one, with early pacers in Traps 1 through to 5. Forest Master has got the best of the draw in Trap 2 and has been steadily improving in each round. Fraser Black trains Forest Master and he is sure to have him spot on for this one. Cabra Boss has run well in the Derby to date but will struggle to lead up in this company. Hedley Bridge has been the surprise packet of this Derby, and the Tralee Dog has been hugely consistent. He lacks a little early gear in the first 10 yards but has shown great pace to the bend. Compass Smash has been flying away in all his heats and will need another fast start here. Ballymac Ruso is one of just two English survivors and is still the fastest dog in the Derby to date recording 29:68 in the first round. He does not have the best of draws here and was found out by Royal Treason when in the stripes in Round 2. Mid West Blue has been hugely disappointing but yet is still very much in this Derby. He will have to improve his trapping to make the semi finals and all the evidence to date suggests he will be found wanting. I go for Forest Master purely on the trap draw but don't be surprised if Hedley Bridge picks him up on the way home. I have been impressed with Ballymac Ruso and he can take the third spot in a quality heat.

Selection: T 2 Win, 2 Pts
Trio: 2 - 3 - 5

Heat 2

Tyrur Laurel, runner up last year, has yet to win a heat but is nicely drawn in Trap 3. He has met both Top Louis and Cashen Zig in earlier heats and has been beaten by both. Slip the Lark would be a banker if drawn in Trap 6 but cuts in too quickly for my liking and will be held up by Machu Picchu whose early pace has got him this far. Swinford Mylo ran well last week leading Shelbourne Aston to the last bend but this looks beyond him. I take the progressive Top Louis to cause a surprise here as he would benefit from the anticipated trouble at the first bend, is a strong stayer and can pick up Tyrur Laurel who may lead from his middle position. Slip the Lark may be just strong enough to hold on for third spot in a race that is hard to call

Selection: T1 win, 1 Pt
Trio: 1 - 3 - 5

Heat 3

Without doubt the most difficult heat in the quarter finals sees Derby Favourite College Causeway well drawn in Trap 4. He is without question one of the smartest trackers around and the way he can weave through a field is poetry in motion. Last years Puppy Derby winner Royal Treason has caught the eye on more than one occasion in this Derby especially his run in defeat last week behind Killahan Phanter. He should lead here and could take a bit of catching especially as Shelbourne Aston and College Causeway will be coming from behind and may hold each other up. Wise Thought did especially well to come through last week after taking a hefty bump at the first bend. Both Graigues Shadow and Rocket Ricky will be the two outsiders but are here on merit, and Ricky could benefit from trouble behind as he can motor from traps and is well housed in Trap 6. Hard to oppose College Causeway, one of only two unbeaten dogs left in the Derby, and I take him to pick up Royal Treason with Shelbourne Aston coming late to take the final qualifying position.

Selection: T4 win, 3 Pts
Trio: 4 - 3 - 2

Heat 4

Ante Post favourite Killahan Phanter will be a warm order in the final heat and is perfectly housed in Trap 3. He gets the Nap vote for the night. He faces his old adversary Advantage Johnny who again has his box in the stripes. They have met twice before with the score at 2 nil to the selection and I expect him to come out on top again. Boherash Gaoithe has done remarkably well to make it this far but looks out of his depth in this heat, while Express Ego who was third in last years final, is well drawn in Trap 2 but has not been convincing to date. The Other Sonic has been staying on well to qualify but this is the hottest company he has faced in this classic. Tyrur Luke will be coming from the next parish and this out and out stayer is strongly recommended for the trios, from the outstanding Killahan Phanter and Shelbourne specialist Advantage Johnny.
.
Selection: T3 Win, 3 pts (NAP)
Trio: 3 - 6 - 4