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.

After a luckless run a week ago, when he was denied by the minimum margin, Droopys Oddysey came from last to first to set the standard in Saturday’s second round of the Barry’s Tea Open Tea, for trainer Fraser Black and the Diamonds Are Forever Syndicate.

Two finals and the first round of the Barry’s Tea Open 750 dominated proceedings on Saturday’s card at Curraheen, and the Brendan Maunsell-trained Fire Height Amy signalled her classic intentions with a best-of-the-round performance in the last of the six-bend heats. 

Derby champ Laughil Blake and the immensely talented Droopys Nidge gave further credence, if it were needed, to the ‘Night of Stars’ moniker as they produced stellar performances on Saturday at Shelbourne Park.