Statistically speaking - looking at round three of the Irish Derby

THE third round of the BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby at Shelbourne Park last Saturday proved a difficult one for punters with just one outright favourite obliging in the eight heats while all three odds-on chances were turned over.

Although the quickest time of the competition, Bombay Pat's round two 29.17sec, was not threatened with Proper Heiress best with 29.27sec, the average winning time did improve eight spots to 29.51sec compared to the previous week.

Pat Buckley's Singalong Curly (3.33sec) headed the traditional sectional standings, with Liam Dowling's Ballymac Stud and Kieran Lynch's Shanahee Boomer joint-fastest through the third bend mark in 16.99sec.

Buckley was leading training for the round with two winners, the only handler to double up.