MORE FIREWORKS LIKELY AS OPENING ROUND OF DERBY CONCLUDES
Ian Fortune
After some superb racing on Friday night in the first session of opening round heats of the BOYLE Sports Irish Derby, it seems strange to suggest there is probably even better to come tonight as the round draws to a conclusion.
By the end of racing, we will certainly have seen the Derby champion in action but picking him or her out with any confidence is impossible at this early stage in proceedings. One thing is certain, there will be fireworks this evening before we finish up with the most outstanding closing heat.
HEAT-BY-HEAT GUIDE TO TONIGHT’S BOYLE SPORTS DERBY ACTION
Heat 13 – MONARCH CAN RULE
Sensational Kirby Memorial champion Bouncing Monarch has been at the head of the Derby market for some time and he is set to get his campaign off to a flying start in tonight’s opener, Heat 13. The Michael O‘Donovan trained star boasts a record of one win from one start in Dublin, winning his semi-final of the Champion Stakes before a little cut forced his withdrawal from the final.
That setback only held him up for a matter of days and a stunning 27.82 trial a fortnight ago suggests he is ready to take the classic by storm. Ballymac Scheff and Newinn Spot are nominated as the main dangers but, in reality, both will need luck to worry the favourite.
Expect Bouncing Monarch to come away racing and assert in the early yards to emerge a comfortable winner. Ballymac Scheff will finish faster than any and is set to pick up Newinn Spot for second spot.
Heat 14 – GREEN LIGHT FOR COLOURS
Gold Cup champion Coloursaregreen is set to start favourite for Heat 14, although nothing will come easy for the Paul Hennessy trained star as he faces a number of rivals capable of playing a major role.
Gaytime Clyde performed well in the English Derby and is likely to come on for recent sighters at Shelbourne Park. He starts, stays and has the pace to win at the highest level. The same can be said for the powerful duo of Ballyhooly Bruno and Ballymac Altobel. The former probably isn’t the force he was in 2025 when claiming the Shelbourne Open 600 but Ballymac Altobel is immensely strong and could certain get involved if turning close.
Ardfert Sam boasts some superb southern form and can’t be ignored, while The Other Mel is lightly raced for her age and can come on for recent starts.
Coloursaregreen remains the choice, however. He has really taken to 550yds and clearly appreciates the extra yards into the bend. If starting on terms from his inside draw, he can show his class by bursting his way to the front into the bend before going on to make all. Hi near neighbour in two, Gaytime Clyde is seen as the main threat.
Heat 15 – WILLOW TO SHOW MORE PROGRESS
Mill Willow seems to be improving with each career outing but he will be severely tested in Heat 15 where he takes on some very fast ladies in the shape of Unassuming, Singalong Cherry and the in-form Avenue Queen. Throw in the capable duo of Microchip and Kilcolgan Eddie and it’s a good contest.
Mill Willow is certainly going the right way for Barry Clancy, however. An impressive trap to line winner in 29.50 last time, he may go even faster. If doing so, he would be a tough nut to crack especially if seeing daylight in the early yards.
Unassuming is very fast but has been lightly raced in recent months. If she were to produce anything close to her best, she could really put it up to Mill Willow, while Avenue Queen has been running very well and has an ideal draw on the fence to make her challenge.
Heat 16 – FELIX WILL BE TESTED
After a brilliant 27.99 success over the standard trip in his latest outing, many will have their eyes on the lightly raced but clearly very talented Slippery Felix in Heat 16. This is a considerably tougher test than anything he has faced before and, in just his fifth career start, will need to be on his toes.
His talented rivals include Maiden Derby champion Harvard Square, who will bid to get loose early, big finisher Coolemount Fame and proven performers Miami Hans and Priceless Romeo, both of which impressed in their latest outing.
Slippery Felix is less exposed than his rivals and has more cope for improvement. An inside draw is also likely to suit but this really is a wide-open affair. Slippery Felix is given the nod but there are any number of possible outcomes in this contest.
Heat 17 – COLEY TO APPRECIATE THE STEP UP IN TRIP
From the earlier days of Kapuka Coley’s career, it was clear he was going to be a real Shelbourne Park 550yd greyhound. With enough early speed to compete at the highest level, he is also very strong. The fact that he is a wide seed will also play to his strengths as he seems likely to get his draw most nights.
That is exactly the case in Heat 17 where he is chosen to emerge on top for Karol Ramsbottom and owner Matt Dunne. His rivals include his early pace-kennel companion Sober Barry and the talented quartet of Bills Harbour, Droichead Nua, Ballymac Siun and Callaway Five but Kapuka Coley is up to the task.
After running a big race in second in the recent Puppy Derby decider, he is set to return to winning ways at the expense of Sober Barry, who is the most likely pace-setter, and the well housed Bills Harbour.
Heat 18 – DENIRO TO PLAY A STARRING ROLE IN DERBY
Ballymac Deniro was already a star ahead of his English Derby challenge but he really grew up through the UK’s blue riband, eventually finishing a close second to Lennies Eddie in the decider. He returns to racing action in Heat 18 where he will start a hot favourite despite the presence of some very talented rivals.
His kennel companion Ballymac Hitman is set for a bright future and seems to be getting the hang of the game. He is an obvious danger, although he must come away racing if he is to turn close enough to threaten.
Miami Hyland has an ideal draw on the fence but needs to reproduce his very best form. Callaway Knegare may have a few grey hairs around his snout these days but the former Juvenile Derby champion and 2024 Derby third retains plenty of ability. If things were to go his way in the early yards, he too could get involved.
And then there are the pacey duo of Lone Calling and Lemon Hidalgo, both of which have plenty of fine form. It’s a stacked contest but Ballymac Deniro really does have all the qualities to go all the way in the Derby and he is chosen to follow up a recent impressive 29.21 spin over the 550yd trip by making all to see off his kennel mate Ballymac Hitman.
Heat 19 – KING DRAWN TO STAY UNBEATEN
Heat 19 is yet another hugely competitive contest with the draw likely to have a big say in the outcome. Graham Holland is double handed with Metal King and Shotgun Dez, Pat Buckley send out the very talented Glengar Phantom and the field is completed by the consistent Sure Exile, the in-form Ryee and one of last year’s best youngsters Sawdust Barry.
Glengar Phantom has an ideal draw in the stripes and will look to match his rivals into the turn. If doing so, he can certainly make a bold bid. National Puppy Stake winner Shotgun Dez is undoubtedly a class act but has been very lightly raced in recent months. It will be interesting to see how he handles the 550yd trip.
Metal King is a tentative selection. After just two carer outings, he remains unbeaten. A winner around Cork on debut in March, he stepped up considerably on form to win a Derby Trial Stake in fine style last time, coming home clear in 29.48. A subsequent 28.16 trial suggests it was no fluke. He is chosen to race prominently before making full use of his inside line to assert.
Heat 20 – JAYKAY CAN FLY
Early speed could be the key to success for Jaykay Fly in Heat 20. A Kirby Memorial finalist earlier in the year, he produced a big run to win over 550yds last time, coming home clear in 29.40. Given his tremendous early dash, he again looks the most likely pace-setter.
That should be enough for him to get the better of most of his rivals with the potential exception of Ballymac Charbel. The latter is hugely strong and will finish like a train. If he were to turn close to the pace, he would emerge a serious danger.
Of the remainder, Skywalker Bruno is best equipped to get involved but he will need to get first run on Jaykay Fly who remains a confident selection to make all the running.
Heat 21 – GROUCHOS TO BE CHIEF
Hackney Dancer was set to start a warm favourite for Heat 21 but Pat Buckley’s English Derby had to be withdrawn during the week. In his absence, and perhaps prior to the withdrawal, Grouchos Chief is nominated as the one to beat.
A young, exciting tracker with all manner of pace to the third turn, he has an ideal draw on the fence and the perfect platform to mount a bold bid. Of all the youngsters on show in the Derby, the November ’24 whelp has perhaps the highest ceiling and he is a confident choice to come out on top.
He was picked up late in his most recent outing over 550yds but ran a fine race for much of the way. In what is just his fifth career start, he is set to strengthen up and can make all to contain the likes of Crossfield Matt and Hackney Dancer.
Heat 22 – STAR TO SHINE BRIGHTEST
There may be limited evidence but Waitingforastar gives the impression that if things click in the coming weeks, he has the pace, strength and all-round ability to become a serious Derby challenger.
He will put his credentials to the test in Heat 22 where Produce Stakes champion Berlin Trilogy, the talented Slippery Brian and in-form duo of Carrigeen Whit and Gaytime Joachim will ensure a stern test.
None of those mentioned can be ignored but Waitingforastar is a true powerhouse and with a clear run around the opening two bends, seems likely to come to the fore. He is chosen to lead home Berlin Trilogy, who ran a big race in defeat last time.
Heat 23 – JAMES CAN REALLY MOVE
Much like his kennel companion Waitingforastar, Wi Can James has a huge engine and the ability to develop into a serious Derby challenger. He is the one to beat in Heat 23, although there’s enough quality around him to ensure a fair test.
Sleight Of Hand is young, progressive and well housed on the fence. He is strong and is likely to get involved if avoiding traffic. Produce Stakes runner-up Droopys Winsome will stay on well and rarely finishes out of the frame, while both Supa Mac and The Other Eimear have the pace to figure if putting their best foot forward.
But Wi Can James has rare ability and one suspects the step up to 550yds will really play to his strengths. It’s not long ago since he posted a wonderful 27.88 for the 525yd trip. On that occasion, he put real daylight between himself and the chasers from the third turn. Expect another masterclass from the Pat Guilfoyle trained star.
Heat 24 – WHAT A WAY TO FINISH
The opening round of the Derby deserves a tremendous final heat to serve as the cherry on top. And that is exactly what we have in Heat 24. Not only is the English Derby champion Lennies Eddie in the line-up but he takes on one of the joint favourites for Derby glory, the brilliant Ballymac Setanta and the brilliant 2025 Kirby Memorial champion Faypoint Ranger.
The flood of cash for Ballymac Setanta in the ante-post market in recent days suggests he is ready to go and is likely to start favourite. His previous form at Shelbourne Park also highlights the fact that he has all the qualities to become a Derby champion, although this is no easy starting point.
Lennies Eddie was outstanding in the English Derby, improving and perhaps growing up with each outing through the classic. He was left badly at traps in the Dundalk International but has been reported in great shape by his legendary handler Paul Hennessy.
And then we have Faypoint Ranger. Few can match him for early speed and he seems certain to race prominently from the outset. If he were to get to the front, he is a tough nut to crack. Ballymac Cmax and Amidus Hulk have also shown a high level of form but really are up against it in this company.
IN what is potentially one of the match-ups of the round, Ballymac Setanta is just chosen over Lennies Eddie and Faypoint Ranger but this contest will ensure that no one goes home early.