Brilliant James secures Irish Derby Final place

TRAPRISE

The 2026 BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby was reduced to a final six at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night, and within a semi-final session of mixed fortunes for trainer Pat Guilfoyle, Wi Can James will represent the Moneygall kennels in this weekend’s €125,000 showdown for the greatest classic in racing.

The semi-finals commenced with Waitingforastar seeking his final berth as favourite for the opener, but another tardy start saw him again trailing rivals throughout the early stages. Plum last into the backstraight, he reached the third bend with a wall of runners ahead and although staying strongly, failed to secure a qualifying third by just a length as Bockos Gold claimed victory in 29.37 for the 550-yards.

Ahead of the second semi-final, Wi Can James (Ballymac Cashout-Right Nicki) faced a daunting assignment with a host of the Derby’s most impressive runners in opposition, including the unbeaten hot favourite Bouncing Monarch.

Well-drawn in trap 1 however, the Lars & Anita Wicander owned September 2024 whelp was just 2-1 for heat victory following his blistering performances in the event and was immediately in contention despite narrowly headed in the initial strides.

Duelling with the classy Sleight Of Hand along the inside rail, the pair would find Bouncing Monarch edging towards the inside from trap 4 with his scintillating early speed. For a brief moment nearing the corner, it appeared that Wi Can James may be perfectly positioned to retain the inside line for the turn but to the credit of Bouncing Monarch, he bravely edged to the lead and skipped clear while rounding those on his inside.

An inevitable bump between the Guilfoyle star and Sleight Of Hand slowed the pair, bringing further trouble for James when clipped from behind while attempting to pursue the leader around the turns. It appeared that aspirations of a second Derby victory for Guilfoyle were gone before even reaching the backstraight when losing ground while attempting to recover his stride; now in fifth position with three lengths to recover on the third placed Glengar Phantom.

Worse yet on the run to halfway, the rival on his outside was Priceless Romeo, a runner certain to stay stoutly in his own pursuit of a qualifying third. What followed, however, was a display of steely resolve and Wi Can James’s most impressive effort of the entire Derby. Still fifth at the third bend, the Moneygall hopeful forged a passage along the rails approaching the home straight and overhauling Priceless Romeo in a desperate scramble for a Derby Final place, somehow kept his classic ambitions alive.

Settling for third place behind 29.35 winner Bouncing Monarch and Sleight Of Hand, Wi Can James ensured his place in the final, in what can only be described as a miraculous recovery from those first bend woes.

Final Draw: 1) Sleight Of Hand 6-1 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) 10-1.

Following the final draw, the Michael O’Donovan trained Bouncing Monarch is an unsurprising favourite a 4-6 in his bid to deliver a third title for his meticulous Tipperary Town trainer. Already amongst the most impressive Derby runners ever seen, he will be recorded by many as the best winner of all time should he convert this Saturday.

In truth, it is difficult to see him beaten from a suitable trap 2 and for all rivals, aspirations for victory hinge in no small part on the early prowess of Sleight Of Hand. That brilliant Laurence Jones youngster very nearly repelled the favourite into the opening bend last week and if he doesn’t manage it now, Bouncing Monarch will have the rails while turning, and be gone!

So, what of our local superstar? Well, for this commentator, trap 3 is spot on for Wi Can James. His best of 29.10 came when housed in the same trap at third round stage and if unable to beat the inside duo to the corner, he is much more likely to secure clear passage on their outside and avoid the troubles of Saturday last.

He, of course, must break well for that scenario to materialise, especially with the second Michael O’Donovan finalist on his immediate outer, for Hackney Dancer has been brilliant in the Derby and possesses classy early pace also. The final will concertina towards the rails on the run to the first bend so Wi Can James simply must exit on a galloping stride.

The winning scenario for local Derby celebrations sees Wi Can James on the outside shoulder of Bouncing Monarch entering the first bend and with Sleight Of Hand preventing the favourite from securing a free gallop along the rails, Wi Can James emerges if front from tight quarters while turning and converts Derby victory at 6-1.

Completely biased, and with past miracles in mind like that of Magical On Fire in last season’s Irish Laurels decider, and the final winning performance of Good News in the 2017 Derby, Saturday’s Derby final task is no forlorn hope for Team Guilfoyle!