Sandwiches away and gone but Irish Derby drama was in behind

CHEAP SANDWICHES is 8/15 for a first Derby success in his third such final after a night of drama as the semi-finals of the BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby were run at Shelbourne Park.

The straightforward report is that Graham Holland's star, second to kennelmate Bockos Diamond in the 2024 final and then fourth behind Droopys Plunge in the English version at Towcester in June, demolished his rivals in the opening semi of the 550 yards event.

In charge from the off, he powered right away to win by fully 12 and a half lengths from Oreo Ollie in a competition-best 29.14sec with Barefoot On Song a short-head back in third and UK champion Proper Heiress tiring, apparently eliminated, in fourth after a bumpy run rounding the first couple of bends.

However, Oreo Ollie and Barefoot On Song got very close as the line loomed and it was judged that the Jack Kennelly-trained Oreo Ollie had over-stepped the mark resulting in his suspension and meaning, under Irish rules, that Proper Heiress was promoted into the third qualifying position for next weekend's €125,000 decider.

The second did not have the same level of incident but saw a fine performance all the same with Pat Buckley's Glengar Silent collaring Magical Mag at the third bend and going on to beat Droopys Deploy by two lengths in 29.26sec with the early leader a length back in third.

BOYLE Sports (Irish Greyhound Derby final, Saturday): 1 Proper Heiress 9/2, 2 Magical Mag 10/1, 3 Barefoot On Song 33/1, 4 Glengar Silent 4/1, 5 Cheap Sandwiches 8/15, 6 Droopys Deploy 25/1.