Over half the required 144 entries for the Ladbrokes Irish Derby have been received with another four days to go before Saturday’s closing stage.

With the Champion Stakes and Derby just around the corner, there are no major competitions currently underway and as a result it’s one of the more low-key Saturday night’s at Shelbourne.

Punters had mixed fortunes in the Sporting Press Irish Oaks quarter-finals at Shelbourne on Saturday, as two of the heats went to big priced winners, although Cabra Millie offered some relief when recording the fastest time of the round in the final heat.

In Smoke Pixie’s absence Cabra Millie, College Maybe and Borna Gem head the market for the Sporting Press Irish Oaks and the trio have managed to avoid each other in tonight’s quarter-finals.

The withdrawal of Smoke Pixie from the quarter-finals of the Sporting Press Irish Oaks is a major blow to her connections following her stunning 28.31 run in dreadful conditions at Shelbourne Park last Saturday.

The second round of the Sporting Press Oaks dominates tonight’s action and Airforce Diva remains a strong favourite for outright honours following a superb opening-round success.

The introduction of the new Mini Open grade from next Tuesday has been widely welcomed by owners and trainers and should fill the huge void which had existed in the current grading system.

The cream of Ireland’s female talent served up some terrific performances at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night as the opening round of the Sporting Press Irish Oaks came to a conclusion.

Despite weeks of dominance, the Irish will have only one representative in the williamhill.com English Derby decider at Wimbledon this evening following last weekend’s semi-final carnage.

The draw for the first round of the Sporting Press Irish Oaks has thrown up a few intriguing clashes.