Tyrur Big Mike 16-1 Derby favourite after draw
The exception is for the Paul Hennessy trained kennel companions Colorful Champ and Barefoot Bullet who have been drawn in opposition in Heat 8 on Thursday night, a race that also includes the one-time Derby favourite Ballymac Under.
A total of 144 names went into the draw and there are about half a dozen reserves for the first round. The 24 heats will be equally divided between Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights with four qualifying from each heat.
Sponsors Ladbrokes make Tyrur Big Mike their 16-1 ante-post favourite and he will go into action on the first night in Heat 5.
One of P.J. Fahy’s nineteen entries, Big Mike goes from trap six and will have last year’s English Derby winner Kinda Ready among his rivals.
There will be an interesting clash in Heat 2 where Tyrur Big Mike’s Champion Stakes conqueror Makeshift will be opposed by last year’s Oaks winner Skywalker Queen.
Two of Owen McKenna’s big fancies for outright honours, Farley Blitz and Thurlesbeg Joker will be in action on Friday and both look very handily drawn. Also on Friday’s card is Pat Guilfoyle’s Definate Opinion, winner of the Cesarewitch and the Dundalk International and he has a few real early pacers on either side him, Carib King and Tyrur Bucko, the latter being his Cox Cup final conqueror.
McKenna’s Farley Turbo will run on Saturday in Heat 22 and could well be the hottest favourite of the entire round. But there are a few very interesting heats that night with the return of Tyrur Lohan a real treat and he has a tough enough test with Cabra Legend, Westmead Bolt and Dromore Hero among the opposition.
Other big talking points on Saturday will be the return from injury of Tyrur Enda in Heat 17 and the first appearance of Czech Republic challenger Fenomen Co Co in Heat 19.
