BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby final - Runner-by-runner preview

BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby final

The biggest race in the Irish calendar comes to its conclusion on Saturday night at Shelbourne Park with the final of the BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby. It has been an exceptional renewal so far, led by the unbeaten run to the final of Bouncing Monarch.

1 - Sleight Of Hand - Laurence Jones - Mr L Jones - 5/1

Laid down a marker for this event in the opening round with a 29.10 victory. That was identical to the time that Bouncing Monarch produced, winning twice more in this competition and finishing runner-up in his other two starts. 

Was two lengths behind the favourite in his semi-final but he was closing that rival down as the line came, showing a great attitude through this competition. So far in his career, he boasts four wins and a pair of seconds in the six starts in which he has sported the red jacket. 

2 - Bouncing Monarch - Michael O'Donovan - Mr D Fradgley - 4/6

The only unbeaten finalist, he has been almost foot perfect throughout the competition. He did miss things a hair by his very high standards in the semi-final, but he has such pace to the opening bend that he was able to get himself safely around in front before his rivals could get anywhere close.

Fully deserves to be the odds-on favourite going into the final given the consistency that he has produced throughout the rounds to this point. If his semi-final was his one 'bad' break, then he is going to take an awful lot of pegging back on Saturday night. 

3 - Wi Can James - Patrick Guilfoyle - Mr L & Mrs A Wicander - 6/1

The winner of his second and third round heats, he was behind Sleight Of Hand when they clashed in the opening round and then was no match for Bouncing Monarch in the semis when he was drawn to the left of that rival. 

Although that cannot be said to be a disappointing run by any stretch of the imagination, his career-best performance had come the last time that he had been draw in trap one, so perhaps more of a challenge was expected. Certainly not out of things if he comes away running but a draw on the right of Bouncing Monarch does make things much tougher. 

4 - Hackney Dancer - Michael O'Donovan - Swifttrack BC Ltd - 16/1

Kennelmate of Bouncing Monarch, he won his first three starts in the competition before being beaten just a neck by Sleight Of Hand in his quarter-final and then half a length by Bockos Gold in his semi. Both of those runs would suggest that the current 16/1 with the sponsors is a little on the long side.

He has 3.36 and 3.38 splits to his credit so far, the best that Bouncing Monarch has produced is a 3.35 and then a 3.41, so he is not without hope of being front rank as they cross the line the first time around. It is a very different question to be asked of him to still be there the second. 

5 - Bockos Gold - Graham Holland - The Jolly Good Company Syndicate - 8/1

Was a deeply impressive winner of a trial stake on his final start before the opening round, winning in 29.27. Prior to his semi-final success, he had only got within four lengths of repeating that on one occasion in the first four rounds before clocking a 29.37 last week.

As is to be expected with the Graham Holland team, they appear to have him set to peak at the perfect moment, winning twice and finishing third on three occasions to book his place in the decider. Is a strong stayer over this trip and will be looking to punish any trouble between the leaders. 

6 - Im Here - Peter Cronin - Mr A Comerford - 12/1

Second, second, second, third and third has been enough to see Im Here live up to his name and grab a spot in the final. The only wide seed with five railers inside of him, he certainly has the draw in his favour, the big question is whether he has the sheer pace to take advantage of it. 

He has 3.36 and 3.39 splits so far in the competition, so he has the early speed to be at the head of affairs as the field go into the opening bend, though his best time of 29.47 is going to need to be improved upon if he is to be successful. 

Conclusion 

There is plenty of early pace across the lineup for the Irish Derby final, so Bouncing Monarch cannot afford to have an off day at the lids. Those are rare enough with him and his semi-final run saw him a little steadier to the line the first time around than he had been in any of his other runs in the competition. 

If the Kirby champion gets to the first bend in front and unscathed, it is going to take a great performance to drag him back again. Sleight Of Hand has the times on the clock to challenge him and his best work has come from the red jacket. Bockos Gold has been working his way back to top form for Graham Holland who has more Irish Derby wins than any trainer in history. He is flanked by early pace, however and might just take a while to get into top gear.

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