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.

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.

"He’s the real article. You just don’t do that to a Corn na Feile winner here at Clonmel," was co-commentator Damien Lonergan’s summation of the third-round course in which Timber House annihilated kennel companion Serene Angel to earn a place in this afternoon’s quarter-finals of the Boylesports.com Coursing Derby at Powerstown Park.

Super Tuesday across the pond yesterday in the American Presidential primaries, the day when the best candidates are separated from the rest, from the also-rans; Super Tuesday in Clonmel also, the second day of the National Coursing Meet.