SHELBOURNE Park is often a quiet place in the closing weeks of September as punters suffer from what is commonly referred to as the “Derby hangover”.

DOLORES Ruth’s team have been in the driving seat in the ladbrokes.com Derby so far, with litter brothers Razldazl George and Razldazl Jayfkay dominating most betting lists.

THE Ladbrokes.com Irish Derby got off to a tremendous start at Shelbourne Park last night with some fabulous performances.

I’M something of an optimist by nature but I can’t help but detect a number of very positive signs on the Irish greyhound front that provides renewed hope for the future of the industry.

The College Causeway/Killahan Phanter Easter Cup picture changed drastically yesterday when two high-profile withdrawals from next Saturday’s second round resulted in Thurlesbeg Joker becoming a very hot favourite to land the prestigious Shelbourne Park feature.