The 90th Anniversary Celebrations At Shelbourne Park Thursday 17th August

ROCKET CAN LIGHT UP AN HISTORIC NIGHT AT SHELBOURNE

It will be a special occasion at Shelbourne this evening when the2017 BoyleSports Irish Derby will commence while the occasion will also commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the famed Shelbourne Park.

The real 90th Anniversary was on May 14th but unfortunately it wasn’t possible to mark the occasion at that stage. However, better late than never and one suspects there will many great stories told before the curtain comes down on the night!

The name on most lists will be that of Clares Rocket which looked as good as ever when powering home in 29.30 in his prep race twelve days ago. He will be at prohibitive odds in Heat 7 but looks the banker of the night.

Graham Holland gives a positive report on Clares Rocket and his entire team and one can sense his delight at the Rocket’s condition. He can show the way to Pat Buckley’s Scottish Derby runner-up Coolavanny Mason and Carol Weatherall’s Inky Holdem.

Other red hot favourites likely to score are PJ Fahy’s Tyrur Harold in Heat 4 and Peter Cronin’s Whoops Jack in Heat 10.

Kevin Hutton’s English raider Dorotas Wildcat will be red hot for Heat 9 and, while he should win, he may be at full stretch to lead home Holland’s Hovex Mick.

Let’s have a look at the ten heats down for decision this evening: 

HEAT 1 – CHIMES CAN HIT THE RIGHT NOTE

The opening heat of this year’s classic promises to be a really competitive affair but NATIVE CHIMES can emphasise his classic prospects.

Runner-up in both the St Leger and the Kirby Memorial and then third in the Race of Champions, Native Chimes finally hit the jackpot when winning the Shelbourne Champion Puppy 550 and flew around Limerick in a trial last week. Skywalker Manner is drawn to run a big race on the inside while Kilgraney Ace has the perfect draw in six. Black Truffle stayed on very well last week. Produce Stakes finalist Ballybough Dad is improving while Fennis Buzz faces a very tough test. Trio: 2-6-1

HEAT 2 – NEWS CAN GET FIRST RUN

This looks a match between GOOD NEWS and Sonic, two dogs that can go a long way in the classic. Good News has the early pace to grab an early advantage and he is a strong stayer, well capable of withstanding strong challenges. Sonic is well housed and is rapidly approaching the form which saw him go off favourite for last year’s Derby final. But can he afford to give Good News a start and a beating? Hey Bound has impressed at Waterford but this is a big step while Budgie Marbh was most impressive last time and looks a much improved tracker. Tammen Twister ran well at Dundalk but this is a big step. Slippery Billy faces a difficult task. Trio: 3-6-4

HEAT 3 - CABAYE A FIRST FOR HOLLAND

It looks one of the most open heats of the round but if DROOPYS CABAYE can reproduce his July 22nd run he should be too strong.

He showed fine early pace then to lead all the way in fast time. Kennel companion Clona Kid is capable of much improvement from his last run. Postman Sam is a very popular tracker at Curraheen and was most impressive on Laurels final night. He is a major danger. Drumsna Legend is massively built and is well capable of a big run while Lisnastrane Gold and Urban Rock will be going best at the finish.  Trio: 4-3-1

HEAT 4 – HAROLD LOOKS BANKER MATERIAL

He may have failed to win in his last two outings but TYRUR HAROLD (nap) ran a blinder last week and only lost out to a high class tracker.

This is his first time in trap six but it should pose few problems for him. Toolmaker Obama is the obvious danger and he was noted running on very strongly behind Toolmaker Obama last weekend. Ballymac Sarahjo is a classy bitch and she will be finishing strongly. Fane Zeema boosts good form up north while Saunders Dash and Highview Product face a big rise in class. Trio: 6-1-3

HEAT 5 – CLONBRIEN CAN BE A HERO AGAIN

Already a dual classic winner after landing the BIF Produce Stakes and the Irish Independent Laurels, CLONBRIEN HERO has the draw to dominate this contest and shaped well in his trials around the track.

Has good early and appears to stay 550 yards strongly. Loves the inside but has only worn the red jacket once. Can lead all the way here. Kranky Mark moved well in his trials while Tipperary Cup third Cahir Castle will be motoring down the back. Cable Bay is a real veteran but looked as lively as ever in the English Derby. Black Farren has good early pace while lightly raced Jumeirah Bran lacks vital experience. Trio: 1-4-2

HEAT 6 – JAVIELENKO ONE FOR JAVIER

Spanish owner Javier Jarne has enjoyed great success with his trackers in the past few seasons and JAVIELENKO looks another very useful performer.

He ran a blinder when second to Inky Holdem in the Champion 550 semi-final and he has impressed in trials. Droopys Noah will be a formidable rival in trap one and he is capable of a big start. Dumas has been withdrawn due to injury and a reserve will run. Kennel companions Jaytee President and Priceless Rum are very strong runners while Slippery John has held his own in top company and merits respect. Trio: 2-1-6

HEAT 7 – CLARES CAN ROCKET TO VICTORY

The draw has worked out perfectly for CLARES ROCKET and it will be a major shock if he doesn’t score.

He looked in superb form in his recent victory and will love the outside draw here. Inky Holdem is well housed in one and is entitled to run a big race. Coolavanny Mason would prefer an inside draw but the Scottish Derby runner-up is a high class performer. Only For Love has good early but along with Ballymac Galway and Lolos Framptons faces a massive task in this contest. Trio: 6-3-1

HEAT 8 – BARRACUDA COULD BE VALUE

The sponsors make Calico Ranger the strong favourite here but this fellow can be very slow from traps at times and would not want to give some of these too much of a start!

He will need to be in striking distance at the first bend. Slippery Louise is expected to challenge for favouritism and the wide runner should get a clear run from the draw. JAYTEE BARRACUDA is very pacey and could represent good value on his second placing in the Tipperary Cup. Crinkill Jake created quite an impression on August 5th. Killeshil Jack is a very consistent performer while Chancem must be considered on southern form. Trio: 4-6-2

HEAT 9 – THE WILDCAT CAN POUNCE

Leading British challenger DOROTAS WILDCAT is a very classy performer but early pace is his game and he will need to get away running if he is to justify the short odds anticipated this evening.

He has a few very strong stayers among his rivals as well as an early paced “dark dog”. Hovex Mick has buckets of potential but needs to brush up on his starting while Higher Level will be flying from halfway. Then there is Bakery Lane which is capable of a flying start and a very fast time. Karlow Crean is a very consistent sort around Kilkenny while Sellout Magic normally does his running late. Trio: 2-5-3

HEAT 10 – JACK CAN DOMINATE EARLY

Following two sizzling early paced performance WHOOPS JACK ran a big race when runner-up to Jaytee Yankee in the Champion Stakes.

His early pace should leave these rivals struggling from traprise. Droopys De Rossi lacks early pace but is a powerful finisher and looks sure to be in the frame. Luminous Fantasy is a talented tracker and was a finalist in the Tipperary Cup last weekend. Nitro Notorious is an improving tracker while Homeless Darkie and Droopys King have plenty to find.