Its the blue ribon event of the year in the greyhound world with the best of the best competing for The Boylesport Irish Greyhound Derby and a prize of €125,000 to the winner.
The crowds are back and over 4,000 people will create the thrill of the famous ‘Derby Roar’ come the start,its a unique experience!
Meath propects are not without a chance either in this very open final. Michael Butler fron Kells has bred two out of the same litter his own bitch Maries Wedding owned by Tamara Butler and trained by the Kells based Keeley McGee. In trap 4 her full brother Ballmac Finn owned by Liam Dowling also vies for the trophy. Whoever wins it will have to put in their best performance on the night.
Maybe the luck of the Meath ladies will rub off on the ‘girl’in trap 3 for the Butler family. The family, part of the Greenvale syndicate, have enjoyed winning the derby some years ago. Their bitch Tina Marina won in 1996 winning the the sponsored Respond Derby(Kerry Group) that year at 14/1 witha pot of £50,000 at the time.
Meath won the Sam Maguire that year too, there are a few coincidents !
You can expect to the new favourite Callaway Pro Am to hit the lids with Born Warrior going head to head to the first corner,Maries Wedding could also get a flyer it all remains to be seen how it plays out. There will also be the fast finishing Crafty Kokoro with the other bitch in trap 6 Droopys Nice One coming home strong. All going well there be a clean turn on the first bend and they all get a sporting chance to win.
Elsewhere on the 13 race action packed card all top class greyhounds in their respective distances. Two other races will be televised on Virgin 2 giving national covreage across the country to all greyhound and sporting ethuasts. Ivan Yates and Ian Fotune will cover the top event featuring the derby, the consolation derby and The Michael Fortune Memomrial Plate all over 550 yards.
We will get to see if Coolavanny Hoffa can pick up the consolation prize as he was the favourite for the derby up to the semis when he lost ground switching out on the way home losing valueable ground on the way home that cost him dearly.
With a massive crowd at guaranteed at the Ringsend venue all the retaurants and corparate suites are fully booked. There will be plenty of food and drinks catered for throughout the staduim. There is food vans available also on the track.
All in all a great night of Irish culture and entertainment is assured. there will beople coming from all over the globe home and abroad.
If your not there catch the atmosphere and fun on Virgin 2 TV.
