Hot favourite Tyrur Big Mike is the one to beat at Shelbourne Park
Tyrur Big Mike has taken this year's Ladbrokes.com Irish Greyhound Derby by storm and has to be rated a worthy favourite to win tonight's final at Shelbourne Park.
Conor Fahy's charge has not been headed in the last four rounds of the 550 yards competition and the manner of his semi-final success was simply outstanding.
After blasting out of the boxes and setting the pace with a sparkling sectional time of 3.33, TYRUR BIG MIKE (9.30 T4) romped home by five and a half lengths from Tullymurry Act in a superb time of 29.28, just seven spots outside of College Causeway's track record.
"That was unbelievable, words can't describe how good this dog is," commented young trainer Fahy. "Even as a pup when schooling, we always knew he had something.
"We were worried about him running a bit wide but his track craft seems to have come on as the year's gone on. He's done everything right and we just need one more performance - just one."
Fahy also sent out the winner of the second semi after the favourite's litter brother Tyrur McGuigan made all the running when holding on by a short-head to beat Barefoot Bullet in 29.63.
"It's great to have two dogs in the final - we might not get another one in it for 10 years, you never know," added Fahy. "To win both semi-finals is a dream and all the lads at home have been brilliant."
Experienced big-race campaigners Thurlesbeg Joker and Krug Ninety Five complete the line-up, but the biggest threat to Big Mike taking the top prize could well come from McGuigan (T3) trapping out and crowding his sibling on the run to the bend.
Richard Harkness, of Ladbrokes, said: "Tyrur Big Mike has taken this year's event by the scruff of the neck, he's by far the best dog in the final and it's just about the draw now.
"If Tyrur Big Mike starts then they are really going to struggle to catch him - and I don't think they can.
"Tullymurry Act didn't do much wrong when second behind him in the semis and is second favourite for the decider from a good draw in one.
"If McGuigan can start that well again from the furthest inside he's been, he could be a big price, but the Derby deserves a great winner and it's Tyrur Big Mike for me."
Ladbrokes.com Irish Greyhound Derby Final draw with odds from the sponsors:
1 Tullymurry Act 4/1, 2 Krug Ninety Five 14/1, 3 Tyrur McGuigan 10/1, 4 Tyrur Big Mike 4/5, 5 Thurlesbeg Joker 8/1, 6 Barefoot Bullet 11/2
