There are two withdrawals from the third round of the Ladbrokes Irish Derby but it remains highly competitive.

The heats of the Makeshift Southern Oaks are the feature of the night’s action at Youghal and Barrack Patsy can follow up what was a faultless first-round display by taking his semi-final.

A LOOK through the betting lists for the Ladbrokes.com Derby suggests that Dolores Ruth is in a stronger position than any of her counterparts to lift the prize.

THANKS to the kind sponsorship of the Youghal Track Supporters’ Club, there is free entry to Youghal Track for tonight’s meeting, which features the climax of the Premier Fantasy & YTSC Southern Oaks, and also includes the finals of the Shanagarry A4 Stakes and the Frightful Flash A2.

Owen McKenna and Conor Fahy could be the trainers to follow when the first round of the Ladbrokes.com Irish Derby continues at Shelbourne tonight.

CURRAHEEN: Saturday’s card will include the finals of the Irish & European A2 525 and a separate A2 575 Stake.

THE greyhounds of the year will be honoured at a lunchtime function in Limerick on Sunday, March 7th and the nominations for the various awards were selected at a meeting in Shelbourne Park last week.

This year’s Vetsearch Irish Grand National has provided a marvellous fillip for hurdle racing in this country and has proved yet again that hurdling could become popular here if given the proper promotion by the authorities.

THE two finals at Curraheen Park on Saturday were upstaged by the performance of Graysland Tiger in the A2 fifth race.

TRAINER Ginger McGee can tighten his grip on the Hondo Black Southern Oaks at Youghal by landing both of tonight’s semi-finals.

Over the years the Boylesports International at Dundalk has produced some really dramatic occasions and one wonders what lies in store this evening when six of the best greyhounds in these islands chase a prize of €25,000, easily the biggest for a one-off contest in these islands.

DAIRYLAND TOM, the star of the opening round of the AIB Bank Stakes when a runaway winner in 28.64, duly followed up in the opening heat of Saturday's second round ... but not in the expected manner.