HAYLEY O'CONNOR

Weblog: Irish Derby view from the sponsor's PR

After six weeks craic, the going gets tough for all

Came from Leopardstown Saturday evening at top speed in order to get to Shelbourne as quickly as possible, I was really looking forward to it. The table I have sat at for the past six weeks has to be one  of the best seats in the house and my two male pals (who shall remain nameless) are great craic. I'm thinking a great night is in store as the battle for our final unfolds.

So imagine my dismay when on arrival I sprinted up the stairs, only to see my seat filled and my two ‘pals’ cosied up with two blondes and no room for poor old Hayley.

Feeling like Goldilocks I looked around the packed restaurant and thankfully saw the friendly face  of Cathal Curley.  Clearly an old school gentleman, unlike the other two scoundrels I've been hanging out with, he invited me to join him and his pal Martin Wakefield.

Racing started with a bang and my lack of attention to detail proved expensive. As the traps opened for race 9 I scanned the racecard and my eye was drawn to trap 6, trainer Fraser Black, owner M Wakefield. Unfortunately by the time the penny had dropped the dog had bolted and silly old me had missed the gamble. Winner all right for the company at dinner, but I remained penniless.

Now, one cardinal rule when it comes to betting is that sentimentality has no role. I break that at my peril. But I went and backed Hey Gringo without the fav with always lovely Seamus Mulvaney. I met the lads who owned him at the start of the competition . . . I really want to him to do well.

Unfortunately he wasn't first past the post but he's been a great performer all  the same. Another in the race was Droopys Twirl. She's been a great contender, but the draw also made her a casualty of the first bend.

In the second semi Bugatti for Dolores reigned supreme as Krug Ninety Five scrapes his place in the final   Martin once again has reason to celebrate. This time he did encourage me, and I had the money down.

As with the seating arrangements at Shelbourne, places in the final can never be a sure thing. It will require aneven earlier start from me for September 10 and, as that day draws nearer, I can’t wait for the final act of our extraordinary rollercoaster.

See you there.

Saturday's Ladbrokes.com Irish Derby final draw: 1 Razldazl Bugatti, 2 Dream Walker, 3 Rockview Head, 4 Razldazl George, 5 Krug Ninety Five, 6 Rockchase Bullet