A SPECIAL NIGHT IN STORE IN DUBLIN
Ian Fortune
Those journeying to Shelbourne Park this evening can do so in the knowledge that they will be watching some of the finest racing on the planet with a card packed with incredible quality.
The final of the BOYLE Sports Champion Stakes is very much the feature but the final of the Champion Plate and second round of the TIME Greyhound Nutrition Puppy Derby should also provide fireworks.
Sadly, Bouncing Monarch is a non-runner from the Champion Stakes with owner Dave Fradgley confirming yesterday that his brilliant Kirby memorial champion had cut his toe. It means he won’t be off the track for long and is still BOYLE Sports Derby bound.
DIAMOND THE ONE TO BEAT
But it also means tonight’s final has a very different look to it.
Certainly, the sponsors fee that Bockos Diamond is now the one to beat with the sensational 2024 Derby champion just even money to land the €20,000 prize.
Bockos Diamon chased home Bouncing Monarch in the semis but now has a near-perfect draw in the stripes with a vacant box on his immediate inside. Given his incredible talent, it’s no surprise to see the Graham Holland trained superstar top the betting, although it’s worth noting he will be four years of age in less than two months.
H still retains huge ability but whether he can ever reach the same heights he scaled in 2024 has yet to be seen.
KAMALA SURE TO ATTRACT SUPPORT
After a stunning semi-final victory, Ballymac Kamala is the second choice in the market.
Liam Dowling’s bitch was very unlucky in the Oaks decider and looked right at home over the 550yd trip last week. She has looked far stronger in 2026 and ran right to the line to post a standard-setting 29.25.
A repeat of that form would see her make another bold bid. Drawn in two, she should have too much early speed for Getup The Boy if starting on terms and looks set to race prominently from the start. She won’t be shy of support and is greatly respected.
BOY HAS THE DRAW
Getup The Boy has seen his price cut dramatically since the start of the week with an inside draw attracting some shrewd money.
He has a habit of turning up on the big night and Mark Robinson’s Juvenile Derby champion will again attempt to turn close to the pace before making a decisive move down the far side.
It won’t be easy to come from off the pace in a contest packed with such quality but any traffic amongst his rivals would certainly work in his favour.
BETTER TO COME FROM KANE
Glengar Kane suffered just the second defeat of his career last week but excuses can be made for the Pat Buckley trained star.
He looked a superstar in waiting at Enniscorthy at the back end of 2025, smashing the 525yd track record in the final of an Open Unraced competition and, despite his inexperience, was also one of the stars of the early rounds of the English Derby.
He may be a 2023 whelp but he has very few miles on the clock and is certain to come on for last week’s Shelbourne debut. From three, he will need to come through the bars but that is more than possible.
BARRY WILL LOOK TO BOLT OUT
Sober Barry completes a talented line-up.
Karol Ramsbottom has his string purring at present and Sober Barry was nothing of not determined in his semi-final success. Blessed with tremendous speed into the bend, he set a strong galop last week but was under severe pressure around the last two bends.
Somehow, he dug deep to call on extra reserves of stamina and kicked again to score. There is no doubt he can go faster than his latest 29.88 return but he is the rank outside of the field. If he is to cause a surprise, he will almost certainly need to get loose into the bend.
A WONDERFUL CONTEST
It’s a tremendous final and one that could provide a great spectacle.
Ballymac Kamala will have huge support and is seen as a big player but Bockos Diamond is ranked amongst the best to ever grace the Shelbourne Park sand.
If coming away racing from the outside box. He can get first run on his rivals and is likely to increase his advantage top the third turn. Despite his age, he remains a superstar and can prove it with yet another front-running masterclass. The best of luck to all.
BOYLE Sports Champion Plate
NEWINN TO HIT THE SPOT
The final of the BOYLE Sports Champion Plate is fascinating contest with each of the six holding realistic chances of landing in the €4,000 prize.
There is a very distinctive shape to the contest with Newinn Spot looking a certain pace-seter from two.
Ello Ello, Ballymac Siun, Ballymac Geinnie and Priceless Romeo will battle it out to see who can turn closest, while Coolemount Fame will be hoping to improve his position around the opening two bends from an ideal draw on the fence before finishing with purpose.
With no real way of knowing which of the five, if any, strong runners will get loose in behind Newinn Spot, it is perhaps safest to side with the like leader. Newinn Spot was having his first outing over 550yds last week and stayed on better than many expected.
With that experience under his belt, and the prospect of warm, fast conditions this evening, he is chosen to make every inch for Graham Holland and Kenny Glen. Of his rivals. Ballymac Gwennie and Priceless Romeo are seen as the biggest dangers.
TIME Greyhound Nutrition Puppy Derby
There were some sensational displays in the opening round of the TIME Greyhound Nutrition Puppy Derby and it seems safe to assume there will be more of the same this evening in the four second round heats.
Sadly, there has been a couple of high-profile withdrawals with Graham Holland pulling out both Swords Diamond and Slippery Felix (coughing). The remaining 22 runners should take up the slack, however, and all four heats can offer some wonderful racing.
JAMES CAN OBLIGE AGAIN
No greyhound went faster in the opening round than Wi Can James.
Getting loose early, the Pat Guilfoyle trained star posted a stunning 27.88 and his reward for that run is a trap four draw in the opening heat.
His task has become somewhat easier with the withdrawal of Slippery Felix from three, meaning a vacant box on his immediate inner but he must still take on the likes of Razldazl Loreal, Slick Sanctuary and Carrick Coley.
Should Wi Can James start on terms, he is again likely to dominate but Slick Sanctuary is also respected given his early speed and tremendous size. The 86lb tracker made all to win in 28.39 last week. He may need to go faster to see off Wi Can James but that is possible.
COLEY JUST GETS THE NOD
The second heat is a wide-open contest with all six capable of mounting a bold bid. Razldazl Thelma was fastest of the six last week when chasing home Slippery Felix.
In defeat, she posted a brilliant 28.09 but she needs to be at her very sharpest again from trap four with the early paced Villaricos on his left shoulder in three.
The latter faded home last week but really flew to the third turn. Croydon Avenger has an ideal draw on the fence. Expect the Pat Barrett trained son of Sober Glory to improve on his opening round effort and he is another worthy of a second glance.
Killers King remains a ‘could be anything’ type. he flew into the bend last weekend flew home. Unfortunately, he did run very wide in parts, losing his position into the third turn. He is likely to go very fast in the near future and is seen as a serious contender but the vote goes to Kapuka Coley.
One of the stars of the Champion Open Unraced at Kilkenny, he flew from the second turn last week to chase home Ballyhooly Cliff. He can start better and is set to race prominently before asserting to halfway.
BECKS WILL BE HARD TO BEAT
Heat 3 is absolutely packed with quality with each of the six capable of going deep in the classic, although the draw has ensured that Carrick Becks will start a warm favourite.
The Champion Open Unraced winner was paw-perfect in his last two wins at Shelbourne, posting 28.12 and 28.01, and he will be fancied to make all again.
His task is far from easy, however. Anothercupoftea has massive early speed and is likely to give him plenty to think about in the early yards. Droopys Monk can also fly into the bend but needs to brush up on his trapping, while Fahrenheit Ace is also capable of racing prominently.
On the outside of the track, opening round winners Kilwest Major and Ballyhooly Cliff are also seen as big players. The former will probably finish faster than any, although he may need some luck if he is to turn close enough. In contrast, Ballyhooly Cliff has a perfect draw and has the pace and strength to race prominently from the outset. He is perhaps the greatest threat to Carrick Becks.
SCHEFF TO CUT DOWN RIVALS
The withdrawal of Swords Diamond from the final heat should ensure that Ballymac Scheff starts a hot favourite.
A real powerhouse with exceptional pace, he will benefit from the extra space on the inside of the track and should turn close to the speed.
Lennies Jamesmc and Im Here can go up strongly and will look to dictate the pace into the back straight. The inexperienced duo of Grouchos Chief and Droopys Unreal complete the line-up and both will need to be at their sharpest from the outset.
Ultimately, Ballymac Scheff has the best of the draw and perhaps the biggest engine on show. His power from the second turn can make the difference.