Dog trained in Tipperary is favourite for Irish Greyhound Derby

The 2023 BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby is just days away and following the draw on Monday at Shelbourne Park, it’s Coolavanny Hoffa who remains the 8/1 favourite with the sponsors. 

This dog, trained by Michael J O'Donovan of Reddanswalk, Tipperary Town hasn’t raced since the 2022 renewal of the prestigious competition, but all eyes will be on him as he races from trap six in heat 11 on Friday night. 

There are so many heats to talk about, but the one that is drawing most attention is heat three with defending champion Born Warrior in trap five, BoyleSports Champion Plate winner Ballymac Walt in trap six and English Greyhound Derby champion Gaytime Nemo in trap three.

Born Warrior is 40/1 to go all the way, Gaytime Nemo is 33/1 and Ballymac Walt is 25/1. It’s worth noting that the title Ballymac Walt won was the same one Born Warrior won last year before winning the derby. It’s an exceptional heat to be treated to in the opening round.

Easter Cup winner Swords Rex races from trap three in heat 20 for trainer Graham Holland, who is based in Golden, west Tipperary. He has early pace on his inside with Undisputed in trap one and Droopys Onestop in trap two, but it should be a straightforward task for this powerhouse, who is the 10/1 second favourite to win the €125,000 prize for the winner.

Holland has a huge team of seventeen entered in this year’s competition with Clona Duke (12/1), Clonbrien Treaty (14/1) and Gaytime Hugo (25/1) just some of his hopefuls taking part. 

Recent Dundalk International winner Raha Mofo is 25/1 for trainer Murt Leahy, while runner-up Ballinabola Ed can be backed at 12/1 for trainer Pat Buckley. 

156 names went into the drum on Monday afternoon at Shelbourne Park, with 26 heats to look forward to this weekend.

The action kicks off at 7.14 on Friday evening with thirteen heats and another thirteen on Saturday.