2026 BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby Semi-Finals Predictions & Tips

Saturday night is the BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby semi-finals night at Shelbourne Park, where we will see twelve dogs vying for a place in the richest race in Irish Greyhound Racing.

BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby Semi-Finals Preview

Heat 1

Heat 1

Heat 1 Trap Draw & Odds

Trap Draw & Odds

(1) Croydon Avenger – 6/1

(2) Waitingforastar – 6/4

(3) Coloursaregreen – 5/1

(4) Hackney Dancer – 7/2

(5) Bockos Gold – 10/1

(6) Im Here– 5/1

Heat 1 Tips

Tips

The market for the first Semi-Final on Saturday Night is headed by Trap 2 Waitingforastar for Patrick Guilfoyle following an impressive Derby campaign so far, winning his heat in the opening three rounds 29.53, 29.35 and 29.13 before being beaten by Low Profile last week but still clocking 29.24.

Also battling on the inside will be strong-running sort Croydon Avenger for Patrick Barrett, who looks to be consistently improving and had a career-best success in 29.31 last week. Coloursaregreen for Paul Hennessy was only one length back of him last week and is improving.

Trap 4 will be occupied by Hackney Dancer for Michael J O’Donovan, who’s rapid early pace from boxes landed him three consecutive heat victories before losing for the first time this campaign last week but only being beaten a nk by Sleight Of Hand.

Bockos Gold for Graham Holland and Im Here for Peter Cronin arrive with big reputations but will need a step up in their clocks from this campaign to figure in this company, hence the larger prices.

Heat 1 Prediction

Prediction

Hackney Dancer is my pick for the first semi-final heat; I think his early pace will be enough to overcome a less than ideal draw.

Heat 2

Heat 2

Heat 2 Trap Draw & Odds

Trap Draw & Odds

(1) Wi Can James – 3/1

(2) Sleight Of Hand – 13/2

(3) Low Profile – 6/1

(4) Bouncing Monarch – 8/11

(5) Glengar Phantom – 20/1

(6) Priceless Romeo – 25/1

Heat 2 Tips

Tips

Bouncing Monarch has headed the outright market throughout the competition, and such has been the comprehensive nature of the Michael J O’Donovan -trained son of Deerjet Sydney and Lemon Elsa throughout this competition that he remains heavy favourite despite a difficult draw.

Wi Can James dons the red jacket for Patrick Guilfoyle on Saturday night, and though he was fortunate to qualify last week, he was imperious at times throughout the competition. Sleight Of Hand will be beside him for Laurence Jones and has won three from four rounds this competition. Both will retain respect in the betting ring for the place positions.

Low Profile has pace to burn from boxes for Graham Holland and has won three from four heats this campaign. If he can replicate his 3.38 sectional from last week, he can cause those around him some early headaches.

Elsewhere. Glengar Phantom for Pat Buckley continues to qualify at a price but will need to find more on the clock if he’s to figure in this company. While Priceless Romeo is a professional sort for Paul Hennessy and I think on current odds he’s overpriced to be in a place position.

Heat 2 Prediction

Prediction

Bouncing Monarch is the favourite with good reason, and I can’t look past him in this one even if there’s plenty of ability in the race.

*Prices are subject to fluctuation.

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