Indecon will have another say!

IGB:

Tender for ‘review of industry needs’ at Irish greyhound stadia awarded as work begins.

The Irish Greyhound Board has announced the appointment of Indecon Economic Consultants to undertake a comprehensive, strategic review into the future needs of its 16 licensed stadia following a competitive tender process.

The review, announced September last and an integral part of the IGB’s Strategic Plan 2018-2022, will provide an assessment of stadium infrastructure and financial sustainability, along with detailed recommendations regarding the 16 licensed stadia.

A completed overall report is expected later this year.

The brief for the study includes the following:

·         Assessment of the infrastructure, services available and standard of facilities at all 16 licenced greyhound stadia in Shelbourne Park, Curraheen Park, Youghal, Limerick, Tralee, Galway, Mullingar, Waterford, Newbridge, Longford, Kilkenny, Clonmel, Thurles, Dundalk, Enniscorthy and Lifford.

·         A financial assessment of the future sustainability of each individual track.

·         An analysis of population catchments and access arrangements for each individual greyhound track.

·         An analysis of racing schedules for each greyhound stadium.

·         An assessment of any impact arising from availability of breeders or trainers within the catchment area.

·         An analysis of relevant competing sporting facilities within the catchment area.

·         Recommendations regarding the appropriate industry footprint for the future including detailed recommendations regarding individual stadia.



Dr Ronnie O’ Toole, Indecon, stated: “Indecon is looking forward to compiling this strategic review into the future needs of each greyhound stadium within the Republic of Ireland. The review will be tasked with making recommendations for the future of the Irish greyhound industry as a whole. We look forward to engaging with all stakeholders with an interest in the greyhound industry in Ireland.”



CEO of the Irish Greyhound Board, Gerard Dollard, commented: “Stadia will be assessed on an individual and collective basis in several different areas, including finance, population catchment and other competing sporting facilities near each stadium. The greyhound industry, like lots of other industries, has had to change and adapt in a number of different ways in recent years. This review, which is a big step forward in the implementation of the IGB’s five year strategic plan, will progress the industry’s footprint for the future.

Stakeholders within the industry will also be consulted within this independent review.

Irish Greyhound Owners and Breeders Federation.

Statement: 22/12/2018

On Tuesday 18th December representatives of the IGOBF met with representatives of the IGB, namely chairman of IGB Frank Nyhan and CEO Ger Dollard.

After formal introductions, chairman of IGOBF Pat O'Neill outlined the wish from the Federation members to bring forward ideas and concerns in a constructive manner to the IGB, in turn we take back to our members ideas and concerns from the IGB. This will lead to a better understanding for both the participants and the governing body.

Frank Nyhan and Ger Dollard welcomed constructive engagement. The meeting then opened asking the group attending to put forward their thoughts and ideas.

IGOBF Welfare is a major issue for the industry and support for the people and various bodies involved in rehoming greyhounds as pets, the walks being staged and promotions at every track needs to be ongoing and strengthened where possible.

Frank Nyhan said IGB have to keep our regulations up to the mark. We have to look after our racing greyhounds and our retired greyhounds. Retired greyhounds are now present at many tracks on race nights. It will need volunteers to help with this and expand the activity. GOBAs could look at supporting this as has already happened at various tracks.

IGOBF put forward concerns over the perception of drugs in the sport. IGOBF would be in favour of unannounced full meeting testing. The way things are being done presently is not serving the industry well. The perceived in house laboratory would be better outsourced and participants did have concerns regarding the control committee’s implementation of sanctions.. From the taking of samples to conclusion of a finding was too long and it undermined integrity, causing long running rumour and innuendo to damage the industry.

Frank Nyhan responded that the control committee and the laboratory effectively operate independently of the Board, although the IGB cover the costs of both from industry funding.
IGB are working to shorten the time taken to process samples and have findings dealt with promptly. Where cases take longer to conclude it is generally because of legal actions. IGB have recently won two significant High Court cases and will continue to defend any actions should the need arise. The number of tests at kennels and at meetings before and after racing is having the desired effect with a very low percentage of unsatisfactory findings.

IGOBF put forward that participants in the SIS racing appear reasonably happy from feed back we have received. There are queries as to why Irish racing is getting less per race meeting, a fraction of what our UK counterparts are paid. This form of racing should remain secondary to premium racing and participants should also pursue feature and classic events.

Frank Nyhan's response was that this initial phase of SIS racing was a learning curve for all parties over the coming six months and will be reviewed. All going well it can move on from there and assuming that the trust gained in the quality and integrity of the product is not diminished by any individuals actions. As for the difference in the money paid to UK racing as apposed to ours, Irish racing is currently going into a fraction of the betting shops compared to UK racing. It is understood that this form of racing is part of the overall Irish greyhound racing product and that the main goal is to retain a premium racing calendar of events.

IGOBF stated that breeders are in desperate need of financial help as the cost of breeding and rearing a litter is prohibitive.

Frank Nyhan stated it had been put to IGB that prize money would encourage breeders and that was one of the things they hoped was helping. They are willing to listen to any constructive ideas. A suggestion to distribute the prize money between six dogs rather than the first three was discussed. IGOBF agreed to put it to our members before the next forum.

Numerous points were put forward and openly discussed and will be taken up at a later date .

Frank Nyhan extended an invitation to attend the forum whose next meeting will be January 30th 2019 and welcomed further consultation going forward.

IGOBF thanked Frank Nyhan and Ger Dollard for their time and open discussion which we found very positive and encouraging for the future.

Only by working together for the industry as a whole can we hope that with the stormy waters that lie ahead can we survive and hopefully prosper. The participants have seen enough negativity and want to see a way forward.

IGOBF wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a New Year full of prosperity. Padjoe Dorney PRO IGOBF.

Produce hero takes to the Coursing field!

Tasked with previewing the Borrisoleigh Coursing meeting for the bible this week, it took a short time for the entry of Cash Is King to fully register when preparing to study up for the Hitchin Post All Age Cup and when it did, I nearly choked on my coffee!

I had to immediately get on the phone to Brendan Maunsell to check that it was not a mistake and he confirmed that the 2018 Irish Produce Stakes hero will take to slips for his first public appearance in the field come St Stephen's day at the traditional Tipperary festive fixture.

As a confirmed fan of Cash Is King, I find it fascinating and although we have a runner in Trial Stake ourselves at the meeting, all massaging, rubbing, stretching and team talks will cease as Cash makes his way to slips.

It's a warm Cup to be making his debut in with previous winners this season in the shape of Shine A Diamond, Post Graduate and Cooga Ocean, along with Irish Purse runner-up Bagsy The Front, so, we will get clear indication of just where this track star can sit within a high class level in the field.

Indeed from the outset, Cash is likely to face a stiff test as his opening round opponent, Archgrove Magic, went to the semi-final of this event last season and although not seen since, is likely to set a fair standard for the classic winner.

Now, before any detractors deem it necessary to throw a slight on this venture, Brendan revealed that it is simply a change of tack following an indifferent run of form on the track and if nothing else, it may rejuvenate his brilliant tracker. I joked that this might be part of a master plan for a tilt at the Irish Cup and although Brendan did laugh, he didn't rule it out!

I find it both a brave and fascinating move on Brendan's part and being a hugely successful kennel in both codes of racing, it could be folly to rule out Cash Is King as a contender in Borrisoleigh.

This coursing venture does not stop there however and with an engagement in the Comerford Cakes Final at Shelbourne Park this coming Saturday, Redzer Ardfert has a date in the Derby Trial Stake at Borrisoleigh on Wednesday!

Should Redzer and our own runner survive day one of the Trial Stake, they would be due to meet in the quarter-final. Now, I find the whole venture exciting but I might not be wishing him too much good luck if that scenario was to unfold!

Some may call it mad, I find it fascinating and it may yet turn out to be genius. Mixing both codes revealed Ballymac Meena to be nothing short of a star last season and we may be set for similar now?!

Roll on Wednesday! I'll be selfie hunting again!

Cash Is King with yours truly following Produce Stakes victory

MORNING SIS AT KILKENNY & WATERFORD

Early morning greyhound racing to begin across South East tracks

IGB; [ Early risers in Kilkenny and Waterford will now be able to enjoy morning greyhound racing with new fixtures announced by the Irish Greyhound Board.

The meetings, beginning at 8.18am, will be held in Kilkenny on Wednesday mornings – beginning in December – and on Thursday mornings in Kilcohan Park Greyhound Stadium in Waterford, beginning in January 2019.

The new fixture will be available to UK and Irish betting shops, as well as online operators, as part of SIS’s exclusive streaming portfolio.

SIS already own exclusive rights to broadcast several fixtures in Ireland, with current offerings from Limerick, Cork, Tralee, Mullingar and Youghal.

Director of Tote Wagering and IT with the Irish Greyhound Board, Joe Lewins, commented: “Irish Greyhound Racing is now broadcast to in excess of 4,000 betting shops in the UK. This gives the IGB, and the Irish greyhound industry as a whole, further opportunity to showcase our racing product to the SIS audience and to build on the success of the meetings currently being broadcast throughout Ireland and the UK. The IGB welcomes the extension of the SIS programme in both Waterford and Kilkenny. We will continue to promote the product so that Irish greyhound racing can benefit from those exposures and revenues.”

SIS’ greyhound offering currently includes 30,000 races a year, making it the most comprehensive in the market. ]

One obvious concern given the start date will be just how many of the schedule meetings can go ahead on time, or at all when considering the Irish winter?!

Less Talking and more walking Dogs!

So, there will be some who already know but, as with any of my work in reporting or promoting greyhound racing, the end product of those endeavours do ultimately belong to you, the active participants of the sport.

Considering myself a representative of yours, and a publisher on your behalf, I deem it a necessary courtesy to do as I had promised to many of you and go some way towards explaining my regrettable decision to resign my position as correspondent for Talking Dogs on the Irish Greyhound Board website.

In a nutshell, I resigned over pay, or more pertinently, a lack of fair pay.

A few facts in relation to the role:

- My appointment to Talking Dogs was initially for a six month trial period.

- A fee for the "Trial Period" was agreed and while admitted by representatives of the employer to be "on the low side", I, at the time, viewed the opportunity to work for the governing body in such a high profile role as outweighing the small remuneration for that six month period. It was agreed at the time to revisit the issue of remuneration, amongst other factors, if and when the role was continued beyond the trial period.

- Continuing in the role for a number of weeks past the end of the trial period, no communication was made in regard to the role continuing. Neither was there any assessment or appraisal of the trial period offered to me.

- Initiating queries as to the "state of play" regarding my position, almost two months past the end of the trial period, I was informed that it had been decided by the employer to continue the role for another six months at the same rate of pay.

- I expressed my dissatisfaction at the proposed terms and requested a meeting to discuss my position. That request for a meeting was never responded to and I was informed that an increase in pay for the role would not be forthcoming.

With the above considered, I felt that I was left with no option but to resign.

**Putting some perspective on the above, and I won't reveal figures as it may relate to people in the role and/or those who may take up a position in the role, but, with the hours required to produce what I deemed an appropriate level of work to feature on the industry website, the pay, in relation to the hours required, amounted to a relative figure which was far below minimum wage.

A gross figure I might add, and when considered that the executive have ceased issuing press passes, the cost of entry to meetings, the extra travel costs which accompany the role and with tax deductions as a self-employed individual, the state minimum wage began to look very, very attractive in comparison.

Indeed as one IGB Board Member intimated to me, "Sure, it's costing you money to do that job!"

At this juncture, I must point out that my situation is not a construct of the Board and in fact many Board members sympathised with my situation or indeed spoke to the executive on my behalf. That executive however, was unwilling to budge.

From my side:

- I did not want to resign. I simply could not continue to invest so many hours for such little monetary reward.

- I do want to work for the governing body as promoting this sport will be a life-long endeavour on my part, regardless of the comings and goings on the executive. I have expressed that wish to all Board members that I have encountered in recent weeks.

- I could not agree suitable monetary reward for the role but the reward I did get was from you. So many have been in touch to express their disappointment at my resignation while the receipt of thanks from owners, connections and the racing public following features or reports was precious to me. Far more important than any remuneration, it's just a shame that good wishes can't pay bills. However, I thank everyone sincerely for all support.

- The way I see it, the commander of the purse strings has put no value on the work that the role requires. And I suppose a justifiable caveat to that is that they just simply don't "get it", not being involved in, or having an active presence in the sport, or indeed a history in greyhound racing to develop an understanding for why the role is valued by the participants and/or what delivering the product fully entails. Even understanding that lacking, it is however galling to me that my work life and presence in greyhound racing can be so detrimentally affected by such a party.

I know there are some reading this who even went to the lengths of venting frustration with the facilitator of Talking Dogs through letter, email or in person. The very fact that you would even consider to support me in that way is very humbling. I could never thank you enough.

To the track supporters groups of my five assigned tracks, I offer my apologies and wish to assure that I thoroughly enjoyed reporting on events, and especially those that rarely, if ever, got such coverage in the past.

I must iterate that this Talking Dogs experience has been an isolated one within my relations with the governing body and there remains many within the IGB who have aided my progress in the sport. In terms of writing about greyhound racing, I'm going nowhere. I have established trusted working relationships with many in the IGB along the way and will fervently seek to extend those at every turn. The promotion of the sport will always remain paramount. Like I say, this is just one regrettable and isolated experience.

I would much rather have been writing a track report than this, but, the industry deserved an explanation.

Regrettably,

Paul.

More time to walk dogs now at least!!!

PS. I should have added earlier, if you have a syndicate with a bit of a story to tell, or a character at the helm, or an uplifting experience that deserves promotion.....get in touch! I was given the honour of promoting syndicate/ownership stories for the IGB and I do love telling them!

Irish greyhound adopted by Austrian monastery after IRGT re-homing

An Irish greyhound is now living a heavenly life in Europe after being adopted by a priest in an Austrian monastery.

Ballinveala Dudu, now known as Dudu to his new owners, was rehomed by the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust (IRGT) to Germany in September. The dog was then adopted by the priest in the small town of Bregenz, in western Austria, last month.

IRGT Trustee Brigid Frank, from Loughrea in Co. Galway, was a key player in Dudu’s rehoming.

Greyhoundhilfe, the German agency who helped Dudu find a new home, have held a long established partnership with the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust.

Welfare Officer with the Irish Greyhound Board and Secretary to the IRGT, Barry Coleman, commented: “The Irish Retired Greyhound Trust has partnerships with rehoming agencies all over Europe and greyhounds are proving particularly popular as pets in Germany. It is excellent to see Dudu, and hundreds of others like him, finding loving homes and having a happy and healthy retirement. Greyhounds make for excellent pets and have an uncanny ability to transition to the family couch with ease. They are best known as couch potatoes, needing very little exercise or special diet. With greater public awareness we can ensure these prized athletes get the retirement they deserve and equally bring happiness to many people’s lives.”

The IRGT has helped to rehome over 5,300 racing greyhounds since 2008, with 853 rehomed between January and October of this year. The Irish Greyhound Board contributed over €100,000 to the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust in 2017.

The main source of funding for the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust continues to come from greyhound racing owners, through a 2% deduction of all winning prize money which is then matched by the Irish Greyhound Board.

A further 132 greyhounds are on the IRGT’s rehoming list with 60 of these to be rehomed between now and the end of the year. These greyhounds will be rehomed as pets in homes in Ireland, the UK, Sweden, Italy, the Czech Republic and Belgium.

LIMERICK SIS THURSDAY TIPS

DRAWS DICTATE SELECTIONS IN DERBY SEMIS

Greyhound racing is back on mainstream TV tonight with five live races on RTE 2 from 8 pm for the semi-final programme in the 2018 Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby.

For me, this renewal houses arguably the greatest strength in depth and the twelve that remain are out of the very top drawer. My only outright investments were pre-competition and only a handy few bob lives on with Crossfield Will but it remains so open that I haven’t considered donating again.

For those who will however, there is still plenty of value to be had with 4/1 the field on the sponsors board. Slippy Cian is a deserved favourite and when you can still have Clonbrien Hero and Newhall Missile at 12’s, many will be tempted. If I was going to recommend a punt, the unbeaten Clona Blaze is attractive at 8/1.

TONIGHT’S SELECTIONS

DERBY SEMI-FINAL 1

An extremely complicated draw where the natural starting point must be the Derby’s fastest early pacer Cabra Hurricane.

Rarely if ever has a runner reached the third bend as fast as the Longford Derby hero and I’ve already written this week that time is almost irrelevant for the Pat Guilfoyle speedster, within the confines of this stake.

That might sound mad but to my mind, his Derby challenge is more about just how big an advantage he can build to halfway before his stamina limitations see rivals bearing down on him close home. He is in no way draw dependent and as such, Trap 1 is perfectly fine now.

Or it is until you see his kennelmate drawn beside him. Magical Bale will actively seek the rails whenever drawn away from the inside. Now, sound logic could say that he is surely close enough in Trap 2 that he will run fairly straight from the boxes. He might, even though I still believe he will edge left, but the fact that Cabra Hurricane’s natural gallop when in full flight would see him drift close to the line of Trap 3, this all adds up to a very likely scenario where the Guilfoyle runners, at the very minimum race perilously close and worse, bump!

Nobody, apart from their rivals, would wish for that, however, it does bring a serious complication when contemplating a punt on either. The ideal Guilfoyle scenario is Cabra finds a bullet break to avoid this complication, leaving Bale to follow him around, just like the second round. However, and with their horrid draw in mind, the wallet dictates that we must look further out for a bet.

So nearly reeling-in the Hurricane last week, Jaytee Taylor displayed a brave battling quality to match his obvious talents when recovering from fourth place off the second bend. Having led-up in his previous heats, a question was asked and Taylor answered.

Of course, the same question will be asked here and he will be required to step up on last week’s effort, particularly on the run to the bend. With a sharp Newhall Missile to his inner, it could be argued that he will have plenty of room as that rival will not move outwards to meet him but he must trap smartly to utilise the space or risk a powerful sweep across his nose at the first bend from the early paced Clona Blaze to his outer.

The only remaining unbeaten runner in the Derby has quite literally been paw perfect in four sublime heat victories and Shelbourne Park has truly unlocked a potential that, hands up, I didn’t really see coming after his Produce Stakes exit at third round stage.

I fully appreciated the early paced prowess which he had displayed in his career start at Tralee and confirmed at Clonmel but I did think that 550 yards would be a stretch. How wrong that was! His quarter-final win when outstaying Clonbrien Hero to the line was a performance from the very top drawer and revealed a willing attitude.

I will now describe him as an early pacer who can stay 550 yards, because he wants to! And that comment is intended as testament to his battling nature, while housing exceptional pace. He is perfectly drawn now in Trap 6 and given the configuration of the heat must be the percentage choice.

So to the people’s dog of the 2018 Boylesports Irish Derby and the past ten days following greyhound news has seen Newhall Missile give all in the sport a real lift. It’s a story that has everything. A rank outsider defying the odds, a trainer trying to emulate the classic winning achievements of his dad from over thirty years ago and the one that captured hearts far n’ wide, a brave young owner exacting much needed joy from his canine sporting hero who keeps delivering welcome relief form daily struggles with Spina Bifida.

Joint owner of Newhall Missile, Colin Barry will spend what is a rare night away from hospital in 2018 at Shelbourne Park on Saturday as his condition has thankfully allowed this journey from Ennis. For those who have yet to read the article which I was so proud to produce on Colin’s behalf, can do so on the IGB Ownership page but what chance Colin can see Newhall Missile advance to the final? Or even win the semi?

The short answer is every chance and with the story set aside while bringing the form to the fore, any top owner would sign a sizeable cheque if offered the opportunity to purchase, in advance of the Derby, a runner would have won three of four heats and posted 29.44!

He traps well as a rule, has very decent early pace and sees out every yard. He out-trapped Drive On Tipp a week ago and if the Guilfoyle runners were to come together from their complicated draw, Newhall Missile could again find himself in a forward position. Not a forlorn hope!

Overall, I’ll be hoping that Cabra Hurricane takes a flyer for if he does, I believe it will give all runners in behind the opportunity to run their race and may the best three on the night progress. However, in punting terms it’s Clona Blaze to remain unbeaten.

DERBY SEMI-FINAL 2

It’s not supposed to be straightforward at this stage of the Derby and it certainly will not be so for some highly touted contenders in the second semi-final.

Predicting what will happen at trap rise forms the first part of every analysis and any way I look at this heat, the only prediction of any safety is that Totos Park will get a clear run on the outer…..and I’ll look no further for the winner.

The star of the Graham Holland kennels, Clonbrien Hero has nothing to prove in terms of class and has become almost an assumed qualifier in any company at any track, so, passing him over in win terms is not a simple decision. However, the draw is very complicated.

He himself can just miss the break a touch on the odd occasion and he really wouldn’t want to now because Crossfield Will to his immediate inner can go to the corner in a hurry while unpredictable at trap rise. Further to the inner, Ballyanne Sim has an ideal draw in the context of this race set-up. Now he hasn’t trapped at his best the last twice but he possesses exceptional early pace and if controlling the inside, he puts the runners to his immediate right in a world of hurt.

I don’t know what the kennels think but I have Slippy Cian at the head of the Holland five that remain and given the quality amongst them, he would have to be the superstar that he is developing into in order to say that.

It’s really only the very best early pacers who lead him to a bend now that he has fully developed his racing skills and given freedom to gallop, he would be the choice here every time. But it just appears that it is easier to predict a bump than a clear run. In fairness though, bumps won’t bother Cian who will dust himself off and fly from the 2^nd bend. Whatever position he occupies and however things pan out to the back-straight, I fully expect him to advance.

There remains the possibility that Kilgraney Master could really put it up to Totos Park in the early exchanges on the outside but in his current form, it’s difficult to oppose the best housed Toto.

Myself and Barry Drake discussing the Derby Semis on CRY104 FM HERE

DERBY PLATE SEMI 1

The quality of the Derby Plate only pays further testament to the strength of the main event itself and although Borna Gin may be a short priced favourite, the first semi-final is quite open if the Buckley runner is as sluggish this week at trap rise as he was last.

He of course reeled in Buckos Dream then while also impressively overhauling Crohane Ronnie late on, which is no easy task. As one of the best in training, we know he can go faster than that 29.79 but unless odds against, I’d rather watch him coming through traffic than sweat at every corner.

It’s a no bet race for me as Gin has a complicated draw which I find hard to predict and it could be the same two runners he is chasing down the back as Crohane Ronnie and Buckos Dream are well housed on the flanks.

If I was going to suggest a sneaky fiver, I’d say risk Skywalker Rafa. Blessed with early pace, he got it wrong from traps last week but ran a cracker when appearing as good as ever despite defeat. If back in his best breaking form, he could pup up again here at a price.

DERBY PLATE SEMI 2

With three first round winners, this is clearly a hot affair and it looks set to be a saucy run to the bend amongst the outer traps.

I’m a Droopys Davy disciple, couldn’t be anything else having been so immersed in the Kirby and there’s few in racing that possess his genuine wow factor. You could type all day about his rivals here but as with most races for Davy, if he gets it right, he wins.

This is a proper test but he appeared to be nearing his best last week, albeit with more left in the tank I’d suggest. Maireads Spring won’t give him anything easy on the outside and Gurteen Feather is a game as you like while in brilliant form but keeping his middle path at the bend, I expect Davy to take control with his slingshot into the back-straight.

RACE 5 AAO 550

Frisky Luck might be short enough here but the race certainly does seem to set up well for the James Melia star.

Fast starts are rare from the respected Wichita to his immediate inner, an assertion that can also apply to Clonbrien Prince so the favourite looks very likely to lead on the outside. It could be a dice between Our Lovely Tune and Howth Head for early supremacy on the inside and as is usual, the entertaining Panther will probably have a wall of dogs in his path at the top of the back-straight.

The latter can never be ruled out but should Frisky Luck trap well and get the predicted clear run, he can prove too difficult to haul back and is the logical selection. The biggest threat can be Clonbrien Prince if he can find his best break for a forward position, as he can too fly from the second turn.

LIMERICK THURSDAY SEPT 6th

This week’s Thursday SIS Meeting at Limerick does not appear to offer too many “good things” for punters to get stuck into with another extremely tightly graded card but may offer up a viable Nap selection in the form of a resurgent veteran from an in-form kennel.

Liam Carroll has been plundering the Thursday spoils of late and his PORTDRINE POWER can be the answer in Race 4. Adept from middle draws and breaking well the last twice, he ran into a lively opponent in the same A3 grade last time but that remains a solid second placing.

Fancied to lead rivals to his inner on the run to the bend, he will face an early battle from Cherrygrove Vic to his immediate right but should these two dictate to the back-straight, the Carroll charge would prove stronger in the latter stages.

John Rainsford’s ADAMANT PAGE also ran into a hot rival last time but in good form of late with results over many of his rivals in the S3 350 Yard Race 6, he can again warrant support where the upgraded Bettyville Ivy may pose biggest threat.

HOUSEKEEPING & INCENTIVES IN 2018 BOYLESPORTS.COM IRISH DERBY

The third round of the Derby is certainly right atop the list of exciting nights of racing all season with the action reduced to a single session and the classic beginning to reveal those most likely to lift the crown as we take a more polarised view of each prospective champion.

This year’s event harbours a quality to rival any in the modern era, no doubt about that but it’s the depth of this year’s renewal that is startling, even to the most race hardened of the greyhound community. You only have to look at the undoubted superstars that have already been eliminated from the event to appreciate just how competitive it has been.

I got wind of a statement around English Derby time which claimed that we had no real superstar in Irish racing at present. I laughed at the naivety of that assertion because I would confidently respond that in 2018, we have had an absolute plethora of stars revealing themselves throughout the season and the depth of quality has never been higher. We can’t define a stand-out superstar because we simply have so many!

And, those superstars that have exited in the opening rounds will remain just that. I mean the likes of Borna Gin, Cash Is King and Droopys Davy don’t shed their classic credentials just because they got knocked out on this one and neither does UK raider Droopys Verve. And, I certainly hope that his early elimination does not deter others travelling across the pond next year and beyond.

But, as we all know, this is the nature of top grade racing at Shelbourne Park. Simply put, it’s viciously competitive. It’s hard to win an Open race on a Saturday at Shelbourne on any given night with even the most legendary of racers and to place in the top three for five night’s on the spin is an arduous task. All rhetoric aside and with all bias ignored, the Irish Greyhound Derby is the greatest competition on the planet, if for no other reason than it perennially harbours the greatest strength in depth than any other, bar none!

TRAINERS

With two rounds behind us, and not for the first time, the early rounds of a classic could be labelled the Graham Holland show. The kennels have returned fourteen heat wins in the two rounds thus far and have eleven challengers remaining, nearly a quarter of the field!

The team will be anxious to get over the line for a second Derby success but will also know that there is a long way to go and nothing is ever certain, just as in this year’s Produce Stakes when missing out having filled half the boxes at semi-final stage.

There is an immense depth to their challenge however with the obvious claims of unbeaten Slippy Cian, now 10/1 co-favourite with companion Lenson Blinder and Jaytee Taylor. The Golden assault is ably backed-up by fellow unbeaten runners Totos Park and Clona Blaze along with the likes of the progressive Clonbrien Prince and rock solid Beaming Paradise, all attempting to match the previous classic winning achievements of the redoubtable Clonbrien Hero. Holland is only a shade of odds-against at 11/10 with the sponsors to convert.

Next in at the top of the trainers list ahead of the third round is Liam Dowling with five remaining, three of whom are bitches! Lightly raced Ballymac Bolger heads the challenge and although without a heat win as yet, the team will be hoping that he can improve throughout the event having spent five months away from racing following his Juvenile Classic success and the impression he made there means that bookies will only offer 16/1 about his prospects.

Trainers with runners remaining: 11) Graham Holland. 5) Liam Dowling. 3) Pat Guilfoyle. 2) Paul Hennessy, Pat Buckley. 1) Pairic Campion, Martin Lanney, John McGee, Tom Buggy, James Robinson, Denis Fitzgerald, Liam O’Rourke, Michael O’Donovan, Peter Cronin, Declan Byrne, Ollie Bray, Margaret Bolton, John Browne, Barney Mooney, Kieran Lynch, Gerry Holian.

INCENTIVES

OWNER TRAINED

The 2018 Derby introduced a range of incentives within the wonderful sponsorship of Boylesports and the training incentive which offers €2000 to the last remaining owner trained greyhound sees eight still in contention ahead of the third round.

Now my reading of the conditions would rule-out, for example, the Liam Dowling owned runners here as the incentive states “Any greyhound who is with an agent or private/public trainer does not qualify for this incentive.” Assuming that a syndicate runner who is trained by a member of the syndicate who doesn’t hold a licence, does qualify, that leaves eight.

So, with the rule strictly applied, they are;  Crossfield Will, Knockmitten Dicky, Burgess Superior, Our Lovely Tune, Coolavanny Gery, Urban Jet, Dunsallagh Mike, Packing Heat.

BITCHES

The bitches incentive offers €3000 for the last remaining and three Liam Dowling runners do qualify for this prize! The pups Ballymac Arminta and Ballymac Trinkle supplement the challenge of one of Ireland’s favourite ladies, the remarkable Coolavanny Pet.

Of course Pet could go a long way to securing the bitch prize should she advance from Heat 7 on Saturday as over half the remaining girls are in one heat which also contains Droopys Floral, Blueberry Diva and Vahsel Bay who is favourite to claim this prize with the sponsors at 3/1.

The full list reads; Ballymac Arminta (Ht 1), Jumeirah Charm (Ht 6), Droopys Floral, Coolavanny Pet, Blueberry Diva and Vahsel (Ht 7) with Ballymac Trinkle (Ht 8).

SYNDICATES

There is also €2000 on offer for the last remaining runner in syndicate ownership and the six remaining challengers for this prize would grace any Open final. Slippy Cian will of course be the fancy of many and is the shortest in the market at 10/1.

Syndicate runners remaining are Slippy Cian (Ht 1), Crossfield Will (Ht 2), Magical Bale (Ht 3), Doggy Mcdogface (Ht 5), Ballymac Trinkle, Packing Heat (Ht 8).

EIGHT REMAIN UNBEATEN

Eight runners have managed to return back-to-back heat victories in the opening two rounds and the first heat on Saturday will see the Holland runners Slippy Cian and Totos Park put their records on the line and in the form of his career, the latter can put Cian to the sword with his slick early pace in a very interesting clash.

Uneaten in the Derby and in his three Irish races, Pat Guilfoyle’s Magical Bale will have his unbeaten record on the line in a very tricky Heat 3 with plenty of early pace around him from Trap 4 when likely to vie for favouritism with Lenson Blinder.

The hugely likeable Whoops Jack has begun this campaign with real intent for Peter Cronin and how worthy a champion he would be if able to keep reproducing his sizzling early paced efforts. From his favoured Trap 6 berth in Heat 4 on Saturday, he will face the sole remaining Michael O’Donovan runner Stonepark Noel who has been superbly impressive in his heat victories. Progressive, it is likely that the full extent of his abilities have not yet been totally revealed and this could be a fascinating clash of big outright fancies.

Those latter comments can also apply to Paul Hennessy’s Jaytee Taylor who burst on the scene as a prodigious raw talent in the Kirby Memorial back in May. Unsuited to Towcester, it is probably fair to say that his career with his multiple classic winning trainer is truly only taking full shape now and how impressive it is proving to be. He has another big test to pass on Saturday, especially in light of Clonbrien Prince’s latest victory but the lightly raced Taylor is as exciting a prospect as any in the sport right now.

The remaining two unbeaten runners are the last two names on the Derby card for Saturday and Clonbrien Hero will have a proper early test to deal with from kennelmate Clona Blaze if he is to continue his campaign with victory. In traps 5 & 6 respectively, it will be extremely interesting as to how the pair match-up to the second bend if indeed they do dominate the heat which they would want to do with strong runners like companion Beaming Paradise and Packing Heat lurking to their inner, let alone the Laurels champion Rockbay Foley!

SEEDS

If I recorded correctly, we began the Derby with fifteen middle and twenty-four wide seeds. In any case, this week we will start with 8 middle and 8 wide with all heats housing at least one seeded runner.

BETTING

Lenson Blinder 10/1

Jaytee Taylor 10/1

Slippy Cian 10/1

Whoops Jack 12/1

Magical Bale 12/1

Clonbrien Prince 14/1

Totos Park 16/1

Ballymac Bolger 16/1

Stonepark Noel 16/1

Cabra Hurricane 16/1

Skywalker Logan 20/1

Crossfield Will 20/1

Clona Blaze 20/1

Doggy Mcdogface 20/1

Clonbrien Hero 20/1

Packing Heat 25/1

Beaming Paradise 25/1

Rockybay Foley 25/1

Coolavanny Gery 33/1

Vahsel Bay 33/1

Ballyanne Sim 33/1

Panther 33/1

Burgess Superior 33/1

Bakery Lane 40/1

Drive On Tipp 40/1

Kilgraney Master 50/1

Droopys Denny 50/1

Uncut Diamond 50/1

Blueberry Diva 50/1

Nice Charmer 50/1

Boyhero 50/1

Jumeirah Charm 50/1

Coolavanny Pet 66/1

Our Lovely Tune 66/1

Newhall Missile 66/1

Macaroon Cruz 66/1

Jelly Flood 66/1

Droopys Floral 66/1

Mc Razl 66/1

Ballymac Arminta 66/1

Beara Gig 100/1

Parlow Sanka 100/1

Ballymac Trinkle 100/1

Loskeran Vardy 150/1

Urban Jet 150/1

Dunsallagh Mike 200/1

Knockmittendicky 200/1

Natural Wonder 500/1

2017 WINNER GOOD NEWS

BUMBLEBEE KYNE STILL BUZZING AT GALWAY

Wholly deserving of recognition for a wonderful career, we gave Paddy Burke’s Bumblebee Kyne (Head Bound/Menlo Polly) the big-up in profile earlier this week and thankfully that limelight did not put the mockers on a fabulous veteran racer as he scored a third victory in his last four starts at Galway on Saturday.

Never over proficient in breaking terms, Kyne was well away this time from Trap 1 and hugging the rail to the crown of the bends, sneaked through to lie in a handy second behind pacesetter Balrobuck Jet entering the back-straight. He would range right up on the leader’s tail at this point before briefly checked back to a two length deficit but a strong stayer at the 525 Yard trip, the veteran was certain to again pose a threat at the closing bends.

Duly delivering his challenge in timely fashion, he this time found a gap on the rails and forcefully claimed the lead off the final bend before streaking clear to a two and half length success over that same rival in 29.54.

Bumblebee Kyne will turn six years of age in October but is showing little sign of losing his enthusiasm for racing having handled this return to A4 grade well in his stride and an opportunity to contest in the same grade next time can likely see a further extension of his wonderfully entertaining career.

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