Oran Classic needs the luck of the Irish
You have to go back a good couple of decades to find an English Greyhound Derby final where Irish runners outnumbered the English. It looked a strong possibility at the start of the competition with the strength of the Irish contingent, and the possibility has become a reality, as three dogs from the Emerald Isle will line up in Saturday’s final.
Runner up in last year’s Irish Derby final, Oran Classic, came to Wimbledon as one of the main Irish hopes. That tag was quickly squashed following his unspectacular performances in the early rounds and the emergence of fellow Irish hope Toomaline Jack, who has been the main attraction of the competition to date. The reason for the lack of attention towards Classic was because his form has been very hit and miss throughout the competition, but he seems to be peaking at the crucial time.
His semi-final performance, finishing a short head behind Lyreen Mover after being bumped from the traps, has re-installed the faith in him from his followers. The early 10-1 is now a thing of the past and he is currently trading around the 7-1 mark, which should shorten further as Saturday approaches.
The John McGee-trained hound is owned by Des and Elliott Whyte of Co Roscommon, the same trio that sent Hit The Lid out to win the Derby in 1988.
McGee will be a little skeptical following the draw, which sees his hope sporting the red jacket, a perfect draw but for the incredibly fast-starting Lyreen Mover drawn outside him in trap two.
Classic has been readily known as a front runner following his performance in the Shelbourne Park showpiece last year, where he led for 99% of the race until he was collared by the impeccable College Causeway.
The main hopes for the Irish nation lie with Toomaline Jack, but if Oran Classic can bolt out in the same fashion as he did in the Irish final, with a little luck, he may have the speed to land McGee his second Derby crown.
Unfortunately, the draw suggests he won’t get things his own way.
Bettor.com prediction – 4th
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