Round two of the Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby provided some relief for bookmakers, after a predictably favourable opening session for punters. However, most of the big names have survived the cull, and remain leading hopes for outright honours.

Outright favourite Ballymac Matt produced another faultless display, when posting the fastest time of the second round of the Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby on Saturday night at Shelbourne Park.

The late absence of reigning champ Laughil Blake was the only disappointment in the first round of the Boylesports.com Irish Greyhound Derby, from which Ballymac Matt emerged with reputation most enhanced following his scintillating 29.43 success on Thursday.

One hundred and forty-four greyhounds will contest the opening round of the Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby, following the draw, which took place yesterday morning at Shelbourne Park.

The final of the Curraheen S1/S2 featured on a good card at Curraheen on Saturday night, and Glanmire Trooper, trained by Pat Kiely for John Organ, Dungarvan, prevailed in a very tight finish.

Rastafari Vic hasn’t been seen in action at Curraheen since his exploits in the Laurels earlier in the year, but he should make a winning return in race nine, which is the last of six heats of the Greyhound & Pet World A1 525, which has a winner’s prize of €5,000.

There was drama in the second round of the Easter Cup on Saturday night at Shelbourne Park, as Derby champ Laughil Blake exited the competition after finding trouble at the first turn in a red-hot third heat.

As tests go, the one presented to Laughil Blake in tonight’s third heat of the Dandelion Bar & Nightclub Easter Cup is almost as difficult as could be, but the Derby champ is confidently expected to come out on top.