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Irish Greyhounds Betting: 2008 Irish Greyhound Derby Final Preview

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From an initial entry of 162 greyhounds who started out on the Derby trail in the first week of August we are down to the six finalists of the 2008 Irish Greyhound Derby on Saturday, 13 September. Sean Murphy looks at the final line up and picks his winner.

Without question this has been a quality Derby and while it would have been difficult to pick these six finalists, even from the semi finals last Saturday, there is no doubt they all deserve their place in the final. It is the most open final in years and we are struggling to find a favourite with Headleys Bridge heading the market at [4.0] on Betfair. A genuine case can be made for all six finalists and we will look in detail at each finalist and maybe give a clue to the winner of the prestigious €175,000 first prize.

Trap 1 - Hedleys Bridge

Has been a revelation in this Derby and is amazingly the only inside seed in the final. Certainly the most consistent finalist with a best run of 29:72 and it is a great achievement by his trainer Edward O' Sullivan to reach his first final. Has a tendancy to be a little slow out but has great early pace. The big question is can he lead trap 2 up the inside. If so, has an outstanding chance and if leading round the bend will not be caught as he is a real stayer.

Trap 2 - Ballymac Ruso

The only English runner in the final and is likely to go off favourite on the night. Has been drawn to perfection and was most impressive in winning his semi final last Saturday. His owner Patsy Byrne is seeking his second Derby success after winning the 2001 Derby with Cool Performance. Hugely consistent winning three heats he must be fancied to lead up the inside and get that all important first bend.

Trap 3 - Shelbourne Aston

The one certainty in this final is that Shelbourne Aston will be last around the first bend with so much early pace around him. He showed in the Champion stakes final that he can produce a devastating late burst to pick up top class greyhounds. Pat Curtin is known for getting a dog right and what better night to produce than in the Derby final. Five early pacers may be to his advantage as it could hold up the front runners and none will be finishing faster. Has to be given serious consideration and is certain to be in the first three.

Trap 4 - Machu Picchu

He may not have won a heat but is a worthy finalist and has impressed this observer week after week. He is a real flyer from traps and would be a serious contender if drawn inside Ballymac Ruso. Trading at a massive [26.0] on Betfair you could do a lot worse than back this fellow as he will give you a real run for your money. Will be right there at the first bend but would have to lead down the back straight to have a realistic chance. Has been staying better as the competition progressed and came from behind Slip the Lark in the semi final to take second spot.

Trap 5 - Slip the Lark

Pat Buckley looked to have this Derby at his mercy just two weeks ago but with the tragic exit of Killahan Phanther in the quarter finals, and disappointing run of College Causeway last week, he is left with Slip the Lark as his sole representative in the final. Has been very consistent throughout and can be excused a poor run last week as he took a bad bump on exiting traps. Would certainly prefer the stripes but can ping the lids and must get away well from this tricky draw. Has to be respected and Pat Buckley is due a change of luck in big finals.

Trap 6 - Advantage Johnny

A real star around Shelbourne this year, rewarded supporters last week when winning his semi final at the generous odds of [11.5] on Betfair. There is no better trainer than Owen McKenna to produce the goods on the big night and this fellow is ideally drawn on the outside and will steer a wide course throughout. Can he reproduce his outstanding run of last week when he flew from traps and led all the way for a personal best of 29:79, or will we witness the dog who tired badly in his quarter final heat struggling home in third in a time of 30:44. Feel that he will have to hit the lids again this week to give Owen McKenna his second Derby success.

Summary

This really is such an open final and I feel that the trap draw will decide this final. The two best drawn dogs are Ballymac Ruso and Advantage Johnny and this has to give them the edge. Ballymac Ruso should lead on the inside and may just get the bend from Headleys Bridge with Machu Picchu and the wide running Advantage Johnny on the outside. Ballymac can build up a winning lead down the back straight and hold on from the fast finishing Shelbourne Aston. I take the consistent Headleys Bridge to run on for third in what has been a vintage Derby.

Recommend:

Win - 2pts win T2, Ballymac Ruso
Trio - 2, 3 & 1.

Supporting Card

As expected on Derby final night there is a top class supporting card. Fraser Black always has one lined up for Derby final night and Droopys Quiff is a real staying star and can reward supporters of the Rathangan kennel in the open 750.

Champagne Linda is a classy bitch and can lead all the way in the Open Bitch race at 20:50.

Graham Holland is a much under rated trainer who runs Rough Quest in the 21:05 Marathon over 850yds. He has solid UK form and will be finishing best of all over this punishing trip.

The Derby consolation final brings together dogs who were eliminated in either the semi final or Quarter finals of the Derby. I feel Tyrur Luke was unfortunate to be involved in a first bend pile up two weeks ago and can gain compensation here at the expense of Express Ego.