Derby set to hit entry target of 144

The entries are rolling in for the Ladbrokes.com Irish Derby and it now looks certain that the target of 144 entries will be received by Friday’s closing date. Up to late yesterday evening there were almost 100 names in the book and with some of the top kennels yet to confirm their plans.

Conor Fahy, Paul Hennessy, Pat Buckley and Owen McKenna have still to confirm their final numbers but they should have up to 50 runners between them. This all guarantees that there will be three nights of first round action next week, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. The draw will be made on Monday morning at Shelbourne.

Among yesterday’s entries were Dolores Ruth’s team of seven which includes the Razldazls Jayfkay, George, Barack and Bugatti as well as Makeshift, Kingo and Fleeting Image. By the way a number of Derby entries will be in action at Shelbourne tonight in an Open 550.