Ireland’s Derby monopoly takes a hit

A day can be a long time in greyhound racing and it was never better exemplified than on Tuesday night at Wimbledon where an Irish monopoly on the Williamhill.com English Derby was reduced to a strong Irish participation as two of our top fancies Mesedo Blue and Barefoot Bullet went crashing out of the classic.

Thankfully, the Dolores Ruth trained Toomaline Jack didn’t fall victim to the general malaise which appeared to affect the Irish runners and he stormed to victory in a best of the night 28.37. He had already been quoted a clear favourite prior to the quarter finals but he is now a best priced 7-4 in advance of Saturday’s semi-finals.

The eight strong team was cut in half and Toomaline Jack is accompanied in the semi-finals by Oran Classic, Krug Ninety Five and Slick Robert. Toomaline Jack will be the lone standard bearer in the second heat with the other three involved in a very first semi where the fast starting ex Irish but now Hungarian trained Lyreen Wonder will be making his usual outward path from the inside box to close up the dogs on his outside.