Skywalker Puma joined some of the greats of Irish greyhound racing at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night as he raced to a magnificent success in the final of the Ladbrokes Irish Derby.

Shelbourne Park will be in danger of bursting at the seams this evening as the Ladbrokes Irish Derby draws to what should be a thrilling conclusion.

Two days to the final of the Ladbrokes Irish Derby final and a total absence of any negative stories concerning the finalists.

Skywalker Puma and Cuil Cougar both produced foot-perfect displays to dominate their respective semi-finals of the Ladbrokes.com Irish Derby at Shelbourne on Saturday.

There will be agony and ecstasy in equal measures at Shelbourne Park this evening as the final 12 will be reduced to six in the Ladbrokes Irish Derby.

Not only did the clear favourite, Ballymac Vic, make his exit but Tyrur Sugar Ray went from being a dog of big potential to the one to beat following a breath-taking victory in a scarcely believable 29.29 in the Ladbrokes Irish Derby quarter-finals at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night.

Only 22 will take their place in this evening’s quarter-finals of the Ladbrokes.com Irish Derby following the withdrawal of Stay Thirsty early in the week and the sad news that Broadstrand Lad has run his last race.

One of the great trackers of modern times, Late Late Show sadly passed away on Thursday evening, just days before his 14th birthday.

There are two withdrawals from the third round of the Ladbrokes Irish Derby but it remains highly competitive.

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.

Last Saturday’s spectacular racing at Shelbourne really whetted the appetite for the forthcoming Ladbrokes Irish Derby.

Sparta Maestro is 10-1 second favourite for Derby glory with sponsors Ladbrokes after a powerful display in the final of the Larry Dunne Open 525 at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night.

THE O’Donnell Kennels in Killenaule are back in the headlines with young puppy Skip Soda winning a lot of admirers in the Festival Open Unraced Stake at Clonmel.