De Lahdedah's class will come to the fore
The English Greyhound Derby is hotting up, with just one night of action and eight third-round heats this evening.
The third heat is the highlight of the round, with Barefoot On Fire, De Lahdedah, and Ballinabola Joe joining March On Freddie for a fascinating race.
There isn't much room for error but the class and experience of reigning champ De Lahdedah can come to the fore.
He didn't enjoy the best of luck early in round two but ran a fine race behind Ballinabola Joe and, in the expectation of a quicker start, he can reverse the form.
Bombay Pat showed what he is capable of in round two, winning in 28.53, and can follow up in heat two. Not always the sharpest starter, he has electric early pace and ought to prove too good for tonight's rivals, which are headed by Droopys Plunge and Bubbly Charger.
Irish Derby winner and runner-up, Bockos Diamond and Cheap Sandwiches, renew rivalry in heat four and it is best for both if the former breaks in front and makes an early bid for glory.
That would leave a clear path for the latter to follow him home. That said, it would be folly to rule out a reversal of the Derby form at this track.
The opening heat is not the strongest and it offers an opportunity for Slick Sentinel to slip around in front. There are plenty of strong runners in the race but there is also potential for crowding along the rails, and he can take full advantage.
Rackethall Brute may be the fastest in the race and will likely win if able to negotiate a clear path.
Peter Cronin's Sole Mio is a progressive youngster, and he can make it three wins on the bounce by winning heat eight.
Shelbourne Park hosts the second round of the Sporting Press Irish Oaks and Unanimous Roxy can get punters off to a perfect start by taking heat one. A Lucky Julie can make her stamina count in heat two, while the strong-running Lemon Orla can follow up her first-round success when she contests the fourth heat.
At Curraheen, the 750 is at the semi-final stage and it is difficult to look beyond Daleroad Poppy in the second heat.
Pat Guilfoyle's bitch ought to be a long way clear early and, with improvement to come, can keep her rivals at bay. Valhalla Vision is open to improvement and, capable of turning close, can chase the selection home.
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