Record irish entry for william hill english greyhound derby
A massive 273 names will go into the opening round draw for the William Hill English Derby after the close of entries on Monday afternoon. Incredibly 44 of those will be representing these shores – all competing for the ultimate prize of £250,000.
The huge entry means that the competition will kick off a day earlier than expected; now starting next Wednesday. It will be a marathon week with heats on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
There were a few surprise Irish entries including Kerry based trainer Liam Dowlings quartet which include Ballymac Matt and Vulturi. Both greyhounds would be expected to feature strongly in the ante-post list. Dowling’s quartet is completed by Bruna Ya Know and Baile Mhic.
Tipperary and Kilkenny are strongly represented with a number of Ireland’s top trainers bringing teams to contest for the incredible top prize of the equivalent of €351,485 (£250,000stg)!
Well known Tipperary trainer Pat Buckley brings the largest raiding party with nine. His team is headed by Lenson Sanchez with Beaming Bucko, Blue Cafu, Brogan Harvey, Burgess Four, Coolavanny Jap, Go Ahead, Paradise Maverik and Tinahue Pinto completing his team.
Fellow Tipperary trainer Graham Holland (who has been having a fantastic record of winners lately) is sending eight. They are Clares Wonder, Gaytime Hawk, Hoffs Nephew, Millbank Stevie, Riverside Pat, Sidarian Blaze, Sidarian Vega and Vans Viking.
Irish Derby winning trainer and Tipperary based Owen McKenna has one of the favourites for outright success in Farloe Blitz, who will be backed up by Farloe Rumble, Fiery Splendour and Go Django.
Mooncoin, Co. Kilkenny is represented by Peter Cronin who has seven runners headed by last year’s third place finisher Crokers Champ (who is fresh from receiving the Sprinter of The Year Award for 2014 at The National Greyhound Racing Awards earlier this month), Dunghill Rocket, Global Chariot, Indigojack, Salonika, Tynwald Bish and Tynwald Rodney complete his entry.
Fellow Kilkenny based trainer Paul Hennessy (who has had his share of English Derby finalists in the past) and he is sending over six runners. They are Barefoot Apollo, Barefoot Artist, Budgie Bypass, Jaytee Dutch, Jaytee Jet and Kilara Hey Mac.
Wicklow based Pat Curtin sends a trio of runners, Ivy Hill Bart, Ivy Hill Oscar and Deanridge Pennys, while Fraser Black, Ian Reilly and Larry Dunne will have a single runner each. Kildare based Fraser Black sends his aptly named Scottish Derby finalist Save The Don. Meath is represented by Ian Reilly is by his reigning Puppy Derby champion Quietly, while Louth have one representative - Larry Dunne who will pin his hopes to Slippery Fred.
Best of luck to all the trainers and how exciting it would be to see an Irish raider take this years to prize!