AL AND SHELBY SHINE AS TIME CLUB DERBY FINAL IS SET

Peter Farrell

The field for the final of the 2026 TIME Club Derby is now complete after last night's semi-finals produced impressive victories for Kerryroad Al and Rossa Shelby.

In keeping with the competitiveness that has characterised the competition throughout, just one length separated the two winners on the clock, ensuring connections will head into next week's €20,000 decider with genuine hopes of lifting the title.

Kerryroad Al may have finished fourth in the previous round, but his ability was evident for all to see after recovering from traffic problems to secure his place in the semi-finals. Kevin McLean's charge had previously posted a brilliant 28.60 in round three and once again demonstrated his trademark finishing power to land the opening semi-final. Drawn in trap three in what was a five-dog contest with the absence of Bounceback Poppy in one, 'Al' was sent to traps as the 5/2 second favourite behind Eimears Lady. It was the latter who broke best from trap two to assert for her Co. Tyrone connections, but by edging wide on the run to the opening bend, she allowed Private Luna to improve and draw alongside the leader. Kerryroad Al tracked the pair into the back straight, sitting just two lengths adrift and travelling strongly. Private Luna swept to the front passing the sprint boxes, while Kerryroad Al moved alongside Eimears Lady approaching the third bend. Turning for home, Private Luna still looked to hold the aces, but Kerryroad Al produced a powerful late surge. Shifting through the gears in the home straight, the son of Head Bound and Fancy Tulip stormed past to score by a length and a half in 28.78. Eimears Lady also booked her place in the final, a further length adrift in third.

The second semi-final saw Rossa Shelby make every yard to record a third career success for Thomas O'Donovan.

Without a victory since dead-heating on opening night, Rossa Shelby had nevertheless been running with great credit throughout the competition and was sent off a 4/1 chance, while Imagine If headed the market at 6/4 following a string of excellent performances in the earlier rounds. Ideally housed in trap one, the well-bred daughter of Tommy Shelby and Azzabi broke smartly to seize the initiative on the run to the opening bend. Holding the inside line, she just repelled the challenge of Imagine If at the opener before leading a tightly grouped field down the back straight. Kells Ruby soon emerged as the principal danger, displaying tremendous pace down the back to close to within three-quarters of a length of the leader. However, he failed to negotiate the third bend fluently, allowing Imagine If to switch back to the inside and renew the challenge. Out in front, Rossa Shelby continued to set a relentless gallop and showed tremendous determination in the closing stages to repel both Imagine If and the customary late charge of Bundle Of Fivers, who once again advertised his stamina and looks certain to appreciate a step up in distance once this competition concludes. At the line, Rossa Shelby held Imagine If by half a length, with Bundle Of Fivers the same distance further back in third. The winning time was 28.85.

The draw for the final of the TIME Club Derby A4 525 was made shortly after and is as follows:

T1-ROSSA SHELBY

T2-IMAGINE IF

T3-EIMEARS LADY

T4-KERRYROAD AL

T5-BUNDLE OF FIVERS

T6-PRIVATE LUNA