PJ Fahy holds pocket aces in tonight’s Irish Derby semi-finals
The Ladbrokes Irish Derby has finally reached the penultimate stage with a strong 12 survivors chasing the elusive six final spots at Shelbourne Park tonight.
Ireland's leading greyhound owner PJ Fahy submitted a record number of entries into this year’s competition, and four weeks into it has two aces he hopes can make it through to the final to stand a chance in claiming the massive €120,000 prize.
Tyrur Big Mike is the first to represent Fahy tonight in the first semi (21:15) which appears to be a very tough draw, but a draw in which he should be priced as a clear favourite after managing to recapture his deadly form and remain unbeaten over course and distance (550yards) in his last three.
Big Mike also claims the fastest time recorded in the competition (29.54sec), and the key will be to get out first and lead to score. A task which is not so easy considering he will be between the very fast Colorful Champ and Mesedo Blue, any early problems could cause the speedy tracker to fail paying dividends if backed.
A good bet would also be to back either Tullymurry Act in trap one or Thurlesbeg Joker in trap five for value, but with all that said, I think it’s safe to say that Fahy should expect to see Big Mike make it through to the final six.
Tyrur Mcguigan is Fahy's second ace who will be making a trap five start in the second semi (21:30) and is very much on a par with his brother to lead to the bend and take command, unless favouritism pays off and see’s ex-trainer of the Tyrur kennels’ Paul Hennesy’s-trained Barefoot Bullet prevail in the stripes.
Once again, it should be a simple enough task for Mcguigan to qualify into next weeks final.
Irish Derby Semi-Finals Draw
Heat One:
T1 Tullymurry Act, T2 Colorful Champ, T3 Tyrur Big Mike (m), T4 Mesedo Blue (m), T5 Thurlesbeg Joker (m), T6 Dromore Hero (w)
Bettor.com prediction: 3 – 1 - 5
Heat Two:
T1 Foyles Storm, T2 Hats My Boy (m), T3 Krug Ninety Five (m), T4 Ballymac Under (m), T5 Tyrur Mcguiugan (M), T6 Barefoot Bullet (W)
Bettor.com prediction: 5 – 6 - 3
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