The history of the Irish Derby is laden with fairytales and invariably one or two such stories emerge each year as we approach the final.

A shock defeat for Droopys Jet and the elimination of that great old veteran Tyrur Big Mike were the major talking points last night at Shelbourne when the first eight heats in the second round of the Ladbrokes Irish Derby were run.

There should be a fine welcome for recently-crowned Sprinter of the Year Shoemakers Lad when he turns up at Curraheen Park for the semi-finals of the Kudos Supersprint on Saturday.

Thankfully, the top class action on the greyhound front never seems to abate and in just a couple of weeks’ time we’ll have the opening round of the Tote Gold Cup.

While the weather caused the postponement of a few meetingslast night, it seems certain that Shelbourne Park will be fit to race this evening where the feature is the final of the Joe Dunne Memorial Puppy 525.

HAVING gone almost overboard with my reaction to his early puppy runs at Shelbourne, I was pleased to see the Pat Buckley trained Slick Seattle finally live up to the rating with a superb 28.16 run in Monday’s unscheduled third session of the Pat Hennerty Sales Irish Laurels at Curraheen Park.

SIXTY-SIX of the 83 entries turned up at Cork Sales at Curraheen Park yesterday, where there was a 77% clearance.

LARRY Dunne’s Slippery Bob turned the opening heat of the Billy Mulvaney Snr and Jnr Memorial Open 600 at Shelbourne on Saturday into a procession with an impressive display of front running.

The entries are rolling in for the Ladbrokes.com Irish Derby and it now looks certain that the target of 144 entries will be received by Friday’s closing date. Up to late yesterday evening there were almost 100 names in the book and with some of the top kennels yet to confirm their plans.

ONE of the best sales at the venue for some time took place at Curraheen Park yesterday with a large number of the lots sold. The top two lots sold for €4,000 each.

THE ultra consistent Carriglad Lady turned in a stellar performance when taking the opening semi-final of the Irish & European Tri Distance Stakes at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

THE progressive Droopys Navajo can underline his claims in the TD Cronin A2 Stake at Curraheen Park by taking the third of tonight’s semi-finals.

MOUNTLEADER Helen, the fastest of the heat winners with a 28.79 effort, made the top price at the Curraheen Park sales yesterday.

NORTH of England trainer, Jimmy Finnick, was very active at the Curraheen Park sales yesterday, picking up a few choice lots.

STAMFORD COSMO made every post a winning one when taking the final of the Boherduff Light & Griddle Bakery Backgraders Stake at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

BORNA MAGIC can boost her claims in the Sycamore Dan Oaks at Youghal by taking the second of tonight’s semi-finals.