Sim prevails on another Magical Derby night
A stunning session of sublime greyhound racing excellence was the order of the night at Shelbourne Park on Saturday last where the final of the 2018 Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby took centre stage as the Moneygall kennels of Pat Guilfoyle attempted to complete a double in the premier classic of the sport having claimed the event with Good News in 2017.
Bred and reared in Moneygall, Magical Bale returned to his home kennels for this Derby tilt and the Westwell Racing Club who are based in Swindon, UK, had that decision fully vindicated in a wonderful campaign which saw Bale enter Trap 2 as a 5/2 co-favourite for one of the most wide-open Debry finals in recent memory.
It ultimately was not to be in the final however as Magical Bale was forced to settle for second position behind a brilliant winner in Ballyanne Sim. Early pace settled the final and with the Guilfoyle charge possessing that trait in spades, it was hoped that he would be the one to dictate the pace on Saturday but he would find a rival to match his prowess to the first bend and in hindsight, being drawn on the outside of Ballyanne Sim proved a crucial influence on the outcome.
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