Matt’s 2021 Irish Greyhound Derby preview and tips

The 2021 Irish Greyhound Derby starts on Friday 13th August with the first round spread over two days. It’s fair to say that we have been in good form with Derby antepost pieces. Ballymac Fairone made the English Derby Final this year having been tipped up antepost at 125/1.

Kilara Icon made the Irish Derby final in 2020 at 150/1 to follow Lenson Bocko who won the 2019 Irish Derby having gone up at 25/1 antepost. We have gone over the 2021 runners to pick out five antepost tips, including a pair at 100/1. We have free greyhound tips on the site every night, starting August with a clean sweep, including a 357/1 Mega Acca winner!


Dromana Bucko – 12/1

Rather short for a competition as gruelling as an Irish Derby but this lad could be the real deal. He has only raced three times, bolting up on each occasion, setting some flying clocks. A 28.04 Cork winner and a 28.07 trial time here, he lacks the experience but he has the potential to be an absolute monster so he’s on the list, even at short odds.


Billys Diva – 33/1

What a competition dog this girl has been. She has made the finals of the Easter Cup, the 600 and the Irish Oaks already in 2021 before finally notching a well deserved victory in a minor Cork competition last time out.

In twenty-seven career races, she has made the top three in twenty-four of them, winning fifteen. She has solid early pace and stays this trip well. In short, she looks the ideal type to go deep into this competition.


Romeo Magico – 40/1

A touch disappointing when we put him up for the English Derby but he has been flying on home soil since. His trapping seems to be back again having gone missing at Towcester, winning three of his five starts at Shelbourne. That has produced some solid times and he is still unexposed.


Razldazl Peaky – 100/1

One of the more senior members of the competition, he will be just a couple of weeks shy of veteran status by the time the final comes around. He made the quarters of this competition last year, again showing his love of this track with a semi-final appearance in the 600 just before Christmas. He bolted up in a very fast 29.19 on final night last year and can keep sneaking through.


Gortkelly Nestor – 100/1

Hit a nice run of form at this track in the spring, claiming the final of a minor competition. As a wide runner, he should get his draw more often than not and while he has a fair bit to find on the clock compared to the principals, he is a consistent enough type himself and can surprise a few.


If you back any of our selections you can watch them live on the free Racing Post app or racingpost.com. Simply log in to one of your bookmaker accounts and click ‘Watch live’ on the racecards.