The final of the 2024 Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby is just 310 days away, and it's safe to say there will be plenty of developments before the greyhounds hit the traps on the biggest night in world greyhound racing.
Despite the time of year, Damien Lonergan reports significant activity in the ante-post market. Even with uncertainties about the emerging greyhounds from events like Juvenile Classic and the Champion Unraced Stake, as well as upcoming novice competitions, two greyhounds have garnered strong support. Daleroad Duke, available at 40-1 ahead of the Kingdom Derby, is now as short as 25-1 after a track record-breaking run in the Tralee event. An unraced puppy named De Bold Falcon, after an impressive 28.23 trial spin around Tralee, has seen strong support, moving from 100-1 to 40-1.
As of now, the market is led by De Lahdedah and Droopys Flytline, both available at 20-1. De Lahdedah is likely to re-emerge in the coming weeks, targeting the Easter Cup, while Robert Gleeson has hinted at Droopys Flytline aiming for the same.
Behind them at 25-1 are Daleroad Duke and Droopys Mandolin, a sister to Droopys Flytline. Mandolin was a stunning winner at the Winter Racing Festival and appears to be improving with each start. She could become only the second bitch since the turn of the century to lift the crown, following Susie Sapphire's success in 2021.
Lonergan is cautious about laying bets on these greyhounds, acknowledging that much can change between now and November. He states, "The chances are this year’s Derby winner hasn’t raced or even qualified yet, with the unraced stakes in Clonmel and Tralee, we are sure to see a few more beasts unleashed."
The current odds for the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby are as follows:
- 20 Droopys Flytline
- 20 De Lahdedah
- 25 Droopys Mandolin
- 25 Daleroad Duke
- 33 Highview Splash
- 33 Clona Duke
- 33 Clonbrien Treaty
- 40 Da Bold Falcon
- 40 Faypoint Sean
- 40 Clona Curly
- 40 Nomadic Nova
- 50 Ballinabola Ed
- 50 Ballymac Marino
- 50 Bens Teddy
- 50 Sober Glory
- 50 Music Glideaway
- 50 Jetara
- 66 Annual Coco
- 66 Glengar Elvis
- 66 Carrick Aldo
- 66 Bockos Crystal
- 66 Mr Chelm
- 66 Jacktavern Bolt
- 66 Scooby Pacemaker
- 66 Gaytime Nemo
- 66 Short Grip
- 66 Grouchos Duke
- 66 Trinity Junior
- 66 Hawkfield Blue
- 66 Clonroosk Sydney
- 66 Boylesports Bob
- 66 Ryhope Beach
- 66 Unmatched
- 66 Ballinakill Alf
- 100 Singalong Dolly
- 100 Droopys Doughnut
- 100 Good Maestro
- 100 Glory Baz
- 100 Droopys High Bar
- 100 Droopys Bro
- 100 Optic Chico
- 100 Another Holiday
- 100 Droopys Zelda
- 100 Epic Chick
- 100 Jetstream Breeze
- 100 Well Met
- 200 Beepers Lariat