Bockos Diamond still the one to beat as Irish Greyhound Derby draw made

The first 12 heats take place on Friday night and the second 12 on Saturday night. 

Bockos Diamond's performances in last year's Derby were record-breaking and record-equalling. Pic: ©INPHO/Nick Elliott

The draw for the first round of the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby, which gets underway this Friday, August 22, took place on Monday morning at Shelbourne Park and reigning champion Bockos Diamond heads the list of 144 runners.

After a remarkable sprint trial in Cork, where Graham Holland’s dog went lengths below the track record, he trialled in Shelbourne but much went wrong as he recorded a modest-by-his-standards 28.44. Back in Cork on Saturday night, this time for a 525 trial, he didn’t impress onlookers with his 28.23 run, but there is no great reason for concern just yet.