MORE HOPE FOR IRISH AS ENGLISH DERBY CONTINUES
Ian Fortune
Ten of the eleven Irish trained runners in action at Towcester on Friday night booked their passage to the third round of the Star Sports English Greyhound Derby.
A similar return would be gratefully received this evening with fourteen Irish part of the remaining second round action in the classic.
OLLIE AND DESIRE FACING TOUGH TEST
The powerful duo of Yorkie Ollie and Lennies Desire represent the raiding party in Heat 9, the first of the evening’s session.
Both will be available at decent odds with Strike It Skye and Texas Jack leading the market for the home team.
But both Yorkie Ollie and former track record holder Lennies Desire have huge pace and power. They may need to be at their sharpest in the early yards but each has the pace to make the frame.
IROKO A WORTHY FAVOURITE
After an impressive opening round success, Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Iroko has been installed favourite for Heat 10.
Nothing will be straightforward in this contest with each of his five rivals capable of a big run but Ballymac Iroko really did look comfortable around Towcester last week and can race prominently before asserting into the third turn.
CLYDE DRAWN TO DOMINATE
Graham Holland is double-handed in Heat 11.
The impressive opening round winer Gaytime Clyde favourite to emerge on top, while his ever-reliable servant Faypoint Harvey races in the black jacket of four.
Gaytime Clyde is favourite to emerge on top from an ideal draw on the fence and it’s difficult to oppose him after his latest display, although he will need another slick exit.
DUFFLE TO IMPRESS AGAIN
After his opening round heroics, Ballymac Duffle will be a red-hot favourite for Heat 12.
The new track record holder is immensely fast and is also blessed with real strength. A trap four draw is not ideal but this is a five-runner contest with trap two vacant.
That will also play to the strengths of the other Irish in the contest, Juvenile Derby champion Getup The Boy and Garfiney Warrior but Ballymac Duffle clearly loves the Towcester test and he is chosen to follow up his opening round success.
CORNER LOOKS THE PART
Hackney Corner is flying high in the ante-post market and Pat Buckley’s star is the one to beat in Heat 13 where his former kennel companion.
This Approach, who is now trained in the UK, is his nearest market rival. Certainly, if doing things right at traps, Hackney Corner can quickly seize control before emerging a good winner for the second week running.
KANE MORE THAN ABLE
Much like Hackney Corner, Glengar Kane is also flying high in the ante-post betting for Pat Buckley and he is seen as the one to beat in Heat 15 for which he is the odds-on favourite.
This is the contest in which Cheap Sandwiches has been withdrawn from, leaving just Singalong Polly as the only other Irish trained runner.
Glengar Kane can again show his class by taking charge early before racing clear of his rivals. Singalong Polly has every chance of qualifying with her kennel companion, although Goldcash Warrior is perhaps the greatest threat to the favourite.
MORE IRISH SUCCESS LIKELY IN FINAL HEAT
The Irish can end the round in style with Swords Style, Slippery Brian and Priceless Romeo all capable of having a big say in Heat 16.
All three won their opening round assignments and they dominate the betting on tonight’s contest.
Swords Style has really fallen in love with Towcester and is perhaps the most likely pace-setter. If holding his lead to the third turn, he could prove very difficult to pick up. Slippery Brian and Priceless Romeo can push him hard.