Monarch clocks in again to keep sole unbeaten Irish Derby record

BOUNCING MONARCH is the sole unbeaten contender remaining in the BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby after another flawless display in the quarter-finals over 550 yards at Shelbourne Park.

Michael O'Donovan's Kirby Memorial champion also set the standard for a third round out of four after dominating throughout in the second of the quarters, coming home four and a half lengths to the good of Priceless Romeo in a new best-of-event 29.08sec.

However, he was the only favourite to oblige with Pat Barrett's Croydon Avenger springing a 12/1 surprise in the opener to set the general tone, holding off Coloursaregreen to win by a length in 29.31sec.

Laurence Jones' Sleight Of Hand repelled the rally of O'Donovan's hitherto unbeaten Hackney Dancer to take the third quarter in 29.53sec with Graham Holland's Low Profile digging in to stop Waitingforastar making it four from four in the finale as he prevailed by half a length in a smart 29.21sec .