Mike must steer right course to stay on track

THE Ladbrokes.com Irish Derby at Shelbourne Park is now trimmed to 24 runners from an original field of 144. Following a flying 29.42 last weekend, Tyrur Big Mike now heads the betting lists.

A middle draw appears to have been the making of this dog but a trap two berth for the third of the quarter-finals on Saturday will test his versatility. He has never run from that far inside but I suspect he will run straight to the bend. Whether he will clash with Mesedo Blue at that point is the major question and any trouble between them would open a door or two for the likes of Kinda Ready, Thurlesbeg Joker, Killacolla Glory and Westmead Grant.

Young Conor Fahy is still some days short of his 22nd birthday but he finds himself in the role of trainer of Big Mike as well as the three other Tyrur trackers remaining.