Thoughts on the Qrtr Finals.
I thought that Hot Pursuit was a shadow of the dog who had run earlier and wonder if the brutal turning inside-out she suffered at the hand of Droopys Jet in the previous round had left him with an injury?  Anyone know?
Droopys Jet tried manfully but his dreadful draw did for his chances.  Then, presented with a run up the rail he brilliantly got himself back in the race but simply couldn’t do anything other than go for the paint again and, got done again, around 3 and 4.  Loads of courage  and pace to burn but not much in the way of craft!
Paradise Madison got out well and looked like making the bend but allowed Glenanore to impede him.  He doesn’t appear to be the dog that started the competition.
Cabra Buck’s run of ultra-consistent early pace has seen him emerge as a “live” candidate here, especially as either of traps five or six seem to suit him!  I have to admit to having mentally considered him as a part-player up to now.  Big mistake?!
Droopy’s Adler has little early pace but stays the 550 well and has improved.  Can he keep doing so?  You feel he will need to,  to make the final.
I thought Ballymac Vic ran a blinder carrying his wound  ( presumably the stitches were still in ), to gain himself space inside and then run on for third and a semi-final spot. Another week to recover, qualify, then a week to ready him for the Final?  I hope so.
Hawaii’s Kinsale has improved every round and progessed from a moderate to a player, in my opinion.  He stays, his early pace is improving ( markedly ) and he is open to further improvement?!  His trap 5 draw in his semi looks a coffin-box but who knows.  If TSR drops out early and then makes for the rail Kinsale will get more space in the run up.  Needs the breaks though.
Slippery Sooty improved to put in a stunning sectional and lead early in his quarter final.  Looks capable of leading all here – maybe even Isobel’s – but what does he do in the last 75 yards?  He certainly doesn’t stay this trip as others do, but with trouble inside and behind he might make the final.
Carrowgarriff has somehow made the semi-finals without even breaking 30.00 ( ok, slaughter me for .01 of a sec. ).  Is she clever?  Has she been lucky – five dog races allow more room?  We’ll find out here I suppose.  She is certainly very determined and runs on nicely over this trip.
Isabel’s Boy has run consistently well to get here, blazing out and bravely fending off all comers.  He can handle himself and is very brave out front. Pf kept telling us how good he is but we ignored him – sorry m8!  He is one great run to the bend away from a Derby final in my opinion.  Can he improve a bit still?  The suspicion lingers that staying  the 550, at top pace,  is an issue.
It would seem that Melody’s Diamond is not in fact in season.  They do kid us on at times these females don’t they?!  She is running very well but with top early pace either side in her semi , an improved  burst of early from the traps would do her a big favour.  Looks very tough for her  now.
Borna Gem , again, ran a terrific race, to win through her Qrtr. Final.  Undeterred by the attentions of Droopys Jet she made the bend, carved out a run and held third spot.  Admirable bitch.  I’d love to see her make the final then,…..?
Superlatives are appropriate for Kereight King who got out then used his searing early to lead the bend, again!  Trap 4 is wider than  ideal for him, according to his trainer, so he needs to maintain the form, because this is a hot semi-final (and would certainly pass as the final! ).  This is a huge test for him as there is uncompromising early pace inside.  Only his best will do.
Tyrur Sugar Ray, I feel, is at the top of his game, and has a huge chance of landing this competition.  I hope his class can see him into the final from this coffin-box because the Irish Derby Final needs this dog’s charisma and presence. His shortage of real early  ( compared to the others anyway ) has allowed him to almost pick his spot, in every round ( so far ). He is so fluent around here, he rails so perfectly and he seems to know when to bide his time around the last, knowing he can strike in the straight. He stays so brilliantly too, a huge asset amongst so many early-pacers.  I really hope he makes it as, for me, watching dogs like him is what the game is all about!
I think it is fair to say that Slippery Robert has progressed mainly because of his wide seeding, and that says it all for me.  Consistent but improvement required to win the competition.  As for his semi-final he has a plum draw and trouble inside – which he may well promote as he cuts into the bend -  is his big hope.

MELODYS DIAMOND 10/1 with P.P to win the 2nd s/final ,There could be trouble at the 1st bend with all the early pace in the race , if there is tens is a very good bet... p.s nice write up on the q/finals L.H.

No odds showing to lay Sugar Ray on Betfair

Just wondered if something more drastic was wrong


NO !

clueless woody ....... why do you fecking bother ? 

Just had a kwik look at Saturday's semis card. Cant see any Derby Plate heats. Is it not taking place this year?

No!

ETS open 550

just new name come on you don't live in cave
Up there do yar!!

I'd rather forget it myself being as my derby Antepost
Dog going to **** up in it!

Trap1 BALLYMAC VIC  not as good a draw as first thought, moves mid from Trap 1 and if not fully fit likely to find trouble. Tbf he had the same problem in the Easter Cup (SF) and although not bumped, rallied down the back and won by a head from Cabra Buck (t5) that night. He had to be spot on fitness wise then, not sure he is now.
Trap2 MELODYS DIAMOND likely to be heading rails as soon as possible, but BG's start has the measure of her, likely to run on but will it be enough ? not in my book.
Trap3 BORNA GEM 's best performance arguably, in this Derby so far,  came from trap 3. The bitch hasn't won for a while coming from behind and as a Pup missed a start from 3 last year (Oaks S F) but recovered even though running wide off the bends.
Trap4 KEREIGHT KING will head rails, and may well break under 3.50, so Borna Gem, who's starts have been similar from T3 could be on a collision path, however in Round 1 Borna  had almost two lengths in hand on Kreight on the sectional,  but Kreight still won by a length (from the 4th). Kreight did well to reel in borna last time but this time has a bit more to do from outside her.
Trap5 SLIPPERY SOOTY (M)The 3.40 break from T5 in the QF raised eyebrows but T6 was vacant. If it repeats that start and reaches the final with necessary trouble in behind the 69-1 currently on here may still not be value. On final night you would probrably get that on here anyway.
Trap6 CABRA BUCK (M) stepped up a gear in the QF and stayed wide before cutting in at the bends, but he failed to reel in KK in round 2 and unless there is trouble inside I cant see him back running either Gem or KK now.

The issue is really how fit is Vic ?  Is he fit enough to run down BG or KK if they lead. I think Borna Gem will qualify and if she does then the 16's on here this morning will be good value come final night.

I think Ballymac Vic should be favourite for his semi final

he was average away and crowded run up, ran well when getting loose to the 3rd but once not leading at that stage he was never going to win.

has a great draw in 1, Melodys will be edging off run up too and being inside all the other early pacers i think he will lead if breaking decent [usually does from 1] and if leading he wins, don't like Kereight King's draw, pace up all around him and he tunred left into Glenanore Dancer last week trying to go rails, if he don't hit the lids i think he is in big trouble.

i love Ballymac Vic from trap 1

Think 2's is skinny tbh

lol

spot on Premier, no layers, I'm the same as yourself, tried to bet some, most of them got injured and now I have only one dog running for me, by the way I agree with you about Ballymac. cheers.

agree with you again about Robert, I thought 7/2 was a good price, who is Tipp-Ex by the way, even a clue will do. cheers.

corals odds compiler the bairn

well then please leave him totally alone Fattie as he wins me chunks outright

couple of standouts .....  adler 8's billies, vic 5/2 laddys

Not exactly the last 12 i hoped for and all with a chance of sorts to reach the final, imo. PF, you know Vic is going to end up in the middle of the track, hope he avoids Borna or a flier by Kereight cutting in.

Hoping some runners on the card Saturday run next Saturday, too. Also hope dogs like Jet, Madison, North and Silva racing. Hope it's a good card anyway

best line I ever heard from the payout "this ain't a fecking bank you know !"