The ante-post market is already heating up, with 310 days until the 2024 Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby. Emerging contenders from events like the Juvenile Classic and Champion Unraced Stake have made the outcome uncertain. Despite this, two greyhounds have garnered significant attention. They are Daleroad Duke and the unraced De Bold Falcon.
Dale Road Duke's odds have shortened dramatically. They changed from 40-1 to 25-1 after a record-breaking performance in the Tralee event's opening round. Similarly, De Bold Falcon impressed with a 28.23 trial at Tralee, leading to his odds plummeting from 100-1 to 40-1 for both the English and Irish Derby.
De Lahdedah and Droopys Flytline currently lead the market at 20-1. De Lahdedah is expected to compete in the Easter Cup. Droopys Flytline, recovering from a minor setback, will likely target the same event.
Close behind at 25-1 are Daleroad Duke and Droopys Mandolin. Mandolin, a sister to Droopys Flytline, shone at the Winter Racing Festival and is seen as a rising star. She would become only the second female winner since 2000, following Susie Sapphire's 2021 triumph.
Damien Lonergan is not deterred by the early market movements. He suggests that the eventual Derby winner might not have raced or qualified yet. He points to upcoming unraced stakes in Clonmel and Tralee as potential sources for new contenders.
As the Derby approaches, excitement builds, with the anticipation that November will reveal a new champion.