Greyhound Derby favourite, Tyrur Big Mike, loses final to brother Tyrur McGuigan
Litter brothers, Tyrur McGuigan and Tyrur Big Mike, took the top two spots in the Ladbrokes.com Irish Greyhound Derby Final this weekend at Shelbourne Park. Big Mike was the even odds favourite to win the €120000 prize money, with McGuigan standing as his biggest threat. The two hounds were both trained by Conor Fahy, and had never raced against one another in the Derby until the final.
Mcguigan came in at 8-1, long odds considering he had won his last three races, and won the race by three lengths over Big Mike with a time of 28.41. Big Mike had dominated his past four races, and looked to be the easy pick heading into the race, but he couldn’t beat McGuigan, despite running his best race of the Derby. Big Mike finished with a time of 28.65.
Taking third place was 12-1 longshot, Krug Ninety Five, who finished ¾ lengths behind Big Mike. Last year’s Derby winner, Thurlesbeg Joker, took fourth place. In fifth was Barefoot Bullet, and taking last place, 19 lengths behind McGuigan, was Tullymurry Act.
Right before the Derby Final was the €2000 Consolation Final. Mesedo Blue was the race favourite in this one, coming in with even odds, but Blue had a slow start and ended up in fourth place. Instead it was Colorful Champ, taking the race by 2 ½ lengths over Razldazl Lord.
Third in the Consolation Final went to 14-1 longshot, Dromore Hero. In fifth was Killacolla Glory, and behind him in last was Foyle Storm.
Shelbourne Park also hosted the €4000 Irish Greyhound Derby Plate Final Saturday night. The Plate was open to greyhounds that had lost in the first round of the Derby. Usually, entrants are not the strongest racers, but sometimes a favourite will fall or stumble in the first round heats of the Derby, giving them an opportunity to race in the Derby Plate against a generally weaker field. Westmead Bolt was expected to go far in the Derby, but a fall near the finish line eliminated him in the first round. Bolt went on to win three of four races in the Derby Plate, including the final.
Bolt controlled the Plate Final from the start, getting a good lead and maintaining it throughout the race. He finished 1 ½ lengths ahead of St Louis Spirit. In third was Three One Three, and behind him in fourth was Tyrur Lucky, another of Fahy’s hounds. Fifth went to Ballyfeard Brave, and in last was Slippery Dave.
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