Opening round of Derby goeswell for Irish challengers

THE opening round of the Blue Square English Derby concluded at Wimbledon on Saturday and it’s safe to say it went well for the Irish, writes Michael Fortune.

In Friday’s first session there were four Irish winners with both Tyrur Jay (28.90) and Ullid Conor (29.13) scoring for Paul Hennessy, while Pa Fitzgerald’s Melodys Pat turned over reigning champion Westmead Lord by just over a length in 28.86.

For many Ireland’s best chance of outright glory lies with 2007 Greyhound of the Year Catunda Harry and Owen McKenna’s charge recovered from a slow start in the final heat of the session to beat Droopys Curbs by three lengths in 29.11.

Other Irish trained runners to qualify on Friday were Advantage Johnny, Machu Picchu, Shanacashel Lad, Loyal Honcho, Express Ego and Plough Lane. Last year’s third Forest Scholes lost out by a head while other high profile casualties included Ballymac Under, Holyromanemperor and Rossacredibility.

There was further reason for the Irish to smile on Saturday night. Pat Buckley’s Droopys Maestro set the ball rolling when coming from behind to snatch a short head victory over Carlsberg Flash in 28.77.

In the final heat of the round Paul Hennessy’s Scottish Derby winner Tyrur Kieran kept the Million Pound dream alive when leading from the first bend to beat fellow raider Splanc by two and a half lengths in 28.78.

It was quite a first round for the Hennessy/P.J. Fahy team.

They also had Tyrur Laurel qualify in Heat 17. The Irish Derby runner-up broke slowly but ran on strongly to get within a length of former Ollie Bray trained Kryptonite in 28.80.

Fahy’s Irish Derby winner Tyrur Rhino gained his first victory since joining Charlie Lister when leading early en route to a length and a quarter victory over Droopys Tobey in a time of 28.66.

In all sixteen Irish went into the draw for the second round which will be run on Friday and Saturday.