Irish Greyhounds / Editor / 15 August 2008 / Leave a comment

Round 2 of The Irish Greyhound Derby concludes on Saturday evening at Shelbourne Park and a bumper crowd is expected to witness some top-class heats. Sean Murphy marks your card.

Heat 9

Mid West Blue ran poorly in the first round and was lucky to qualify. He can take the opening heat of Saturday night's session and get favourite backers off to a good start. Last years finalist So Determined is aptly named and never runs a bad race. He can benefit from any early crowding of the favourite. There will be a real battle for the third qualifying and this can go to Florida Rooster who ran well in the first round even though slowly away and is now better drawn in Trap 2.

Selection: T 6 Win, 2 Pt
Trio: 6 - 4 - 2

Heat 10

This is a real cracker with new Derby Favourite College Causeway drawn in Trap 5. He was most impressive in the first round coming from behind the top-class Ballymac Under. He cannot afford any slip ups as Top Louis is a real progressive type and took a notable scalp in Tyrur Laurel in the first round. Gas Magee is a 575yds Shelbourne specialist who starts and stays this trip very well, while both Mardocs Maldini and Plan are noted fast finishers.

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

Heat 11

Another wide open heat with none of the runners managing a victory in the first round. Green Heat is not the force of old but has a live chance in this heat. I take the Oliver Bray-trained Royal Treason to lead them from start to finish from Green Heat with the third qualifying spot between Stagedoor Liam who was a little unlucky in the first round when the door closed on him at the first bend and Shaneboy Sophia who was noted running on strongly behind Tyrur Rhino on his first visit to Shelbourne.

Selection: T4 win, 2 Pts
Trio: 4 - 5 - 3

Heat 12

We have another cracking heat in prospect here with easy first round winner Advantage Johnny perfectly drawn in the stripes. He gets the vote from Produce stakes winner Knowsley Jake who came right into the Derby picture last Saturday night with a hugely impressive front running performance when winning in 29:89 at the juicy odds of 10/1. Ironically Tyrur Luke did exactly the same time also on Saturday night but in contrasting circumstances when showing devastating back straight pace to win easily from Pride n Passion. My old western pal Owen Tristan has been talking up this March '06 pup for some time now. This will be a real test for him against proven top class trackers.

Selection: T6 Win, 2 pts
Trio: 6 - 4 - 2

Heat 13

Without doubt the race of the second round. We have English Derby Hero Loyal Honcho in the red jacket, Ante Post Favourite Killahan Phanter in trap 3, Champion Stakes winner Shelbourne Aston in Trap 4 and the much fancied Tyrur Bertie in Trap 5. The two remaining runners Burnpark Duke and Droopys Wells are no bad dogs either and connections must be wondering what they did to deserve a draw like this. I am a huge fan of the panther and believe his sizzling early can get him in front at the all important first bend. Loyal Honcho continues to be written off and is well drawn in Trap 1 and will need to ping the lids in this one. I expect the fast finishing Shelbourne Aston to be held up early in the run to the bend and may not even qualify unless he traps better than Saturday night. A race to grace even a Derby final and I strongly fancy Killahan Phanter to take the spoils in a classic.

Selection: T3 win, 4 Pts (NAP)
Trio: 3 - 1 - 5

Heat 14

Slip the Lark went into the note book after an eye catching performance in a difficult first round heat. He is a real live contender for this years Derby but has drawn another tough heat with last year's Derby winner Tyrur Rhino well drawn in trap 4. Both Daleys Buzz and Titan Tyrone will have their supporters and the Paul Hennessy trained runner can get the final qualifying spot courtesy of a favourable Trap 3 draw.

Selection: T6 Win, 2 pts
Trio: 6 - 4 - 3

Heat 15

Skywalker Melody did this column a turn in the first round and can take this moderate heat from a favourable draw in the stripes. Tyrur Lee got in as a reserve on Saturday night and took advantage with a promising run behind Loyal Honcho but he may have to give best to Graigues Shadow who has useful Shelbourne form and although disappointing in Round 1 looks booked for second spot.

Selection: T6 win, 1 Pt
Trio: 6 -4 - 1

Heat 16

The final heat of the second round sees last years finalist Express Ego run from trap 3 and he showed signs of his old form in the first round with a determined display to fend off top class company in 30:20.With four first round heat winners this is a tricky contest. Jeffys Crystal was impressive in his first race around Shelbourne but will have to improve further here. Forest Patriot was a surprise winner for Fraser Black in the first round but may struggle to get the bend from this draw in the black jacket. Rocket Ricky is better than his first round run where he encountered serious traffic problems and Almost Meteoric ran on well to score in the second session on Thursday night. The trio should pay well in this one and I go for the early pace of Express Ego along with Rocket Ricky and Almost Meteoric.

Selection: T3 win, 2 Pts
Trio: 3 - 5 - 6

Tags: Advantage Johnny, Ballymac Under, College Causeway, Express Ego, Greyhounds betting, Irish Greyhounds, Loyal Honcho, Mid West Blue, Royal Treason, So Determined