The Irish team has made a fine start to the Scottish Derby and three members will be in action in the semi-finals at Shawfield on Saturday.

One can already sense the buzz developing around this year’s Pat Hennerty Sales Irish Laurels and the first round action suggested that Curraheen Park patrons are going to be served up some wonderful racing between now and final night.

The two sessions of the opening round of the Laurels were completed at Curraheen Park over the weekend and ante-post favourite Tyrur Enda emerged with his reputation enhanced while his kennel-companion and Derby runner-up Tyrur Big Mike’s suitability to the circuit remains somewhat in question despite a winning start to his campaign.

The College Causeway team will be anxious in advance of tomorrow’s Paddypower.com Irish Derby semi-finals at Shelbourne. A year ago their star tracker was a very strong favourite in advance of the semis but trouble down the far side saw him bid farewell to his prospects.