Monarch continues reign at Shelbourne

BOUNCING MONARCH is odds-on with the sponsors to complete an unbeaten run through the BoyleSports Irish Derby after another polished performance over the 550-yard trip at Shelbourne Park on Saturday.

Michael O’Donovan’s star was only moderately away from the boxes, unlike in previous rounds, but his early pace again proved decisive and he was away and gone at the first bend, aided by trouble between Sleight Of Hand and Wi Can James.

Sleight Of Hand was pressing for the lead, but Wi Can James came up his inside and bumped aside his rival. However, Pat Guilfoyle’s hope came off the worst, with Sleight Of Hand then setting off in pursuit of the leader.

He was never going to get there, but kept on well to go down by two lengths to the 29.35sec winner, with Wi Can James short-heading Priceless Romeo for the other spot in next week’s decider.

Laurence Jones, trainer of the runner-up, was delighted to get through and is hoping for glory next week. “He didn’t fly out but he never does,” he said afterwards. “He’s a fresh pup, so there’s an awful lot to come from him, hopefully.”

Bockos Gold ensured Graham Holland will have a crack at adding to his record tally of five Irish Derby titles with a game success in the opening semi.

He broke well but found the early speed of Hackney Dancer too much to handle.

He in turn could not cope with the pace of Im Here off the second, but as the pair duelled up front, Bockos Gold stayed in touch and came through off the last to see off Hackney Dancer by half a length in 29.37sec.

Holland’s daughter Rachel said after the race: “He’s run this heart out. He broke tonight although I don’t know how we got to where he was at the bend. He’s definitely staying on stronger and we’re there anyway.”

The semi-finals of the Michael Fortune Memorial Derby Plate were the main supporting action, with Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Setanta cruising into the final from the second qualifier.

The 2-5 favourite dominated after a quick start, leading home Grouchos Frank by two and a half lengths in 29.41sec for the 550-yard trip.

Dowling’s Ballymac Deniro was also odds-on in the first semi but was hampered around the opening bends as he tried to pass Swords Style, and Tom O’Neill’s Ballyhooly Cliff swooped around the outside of the pair at the third.

He kicked away to win by three and a half lengths from Ballymac Deniro in 29.74sec.

Derby Plate Draw: 1 Grouchos Frank, 2 Coolemount Fame, 3 Ballymac Setanta, 4 Oriental King (m), 5 Ballymac Deniro (m), 6 Ballyhooly Cliff (w).

Irish Derby final draw (BoyleSports betting)
1 Sleight Of Hand (7-1)
2 Bouncing Monarch (4-6)
3 Wi Can James (6-1)
4 Hackney Dancer (16-1)
5 Bockos Gold (8-1)
6 Im Here (w) (8-1)

Want top greyhound betting advice and the latest greyhound racing news? Make sure you take a look at Racing Post Greyhounds for more

Important information: This article may contain links to offers or promotions that were available at the time of publication. These offers may have since expired or changed.

Offers are handpicked and come from operators that our experts have first-hand experience of. Opening an account via one of these links will earn revenue for the Racing Post, which will be used to continue producing our award-winning coverage of horseracing.