‘MAN’ CAN BE CROWNED TOP JUVENILE

JUST as in the BoyleSports Irish Derby a month ago, the betting on tonight’s Dublin Coach Juvenile Derby is extremely close and it will be no surprise if Man Twenty One and Droopys Noah go off as the joint favourites to claim the €22,500 prize.

Both youngsters go into the race with unbeaten records in the classic but this is no race in which to ignore the other runners. The quality of this year’s Juvenile Derby has been one of the highest ever and any of these greyhounds is capable of a flying performance.

Man Twenty One and Droopys Noah have drawn the two inside boxes and that raises the possibility of some crowding between them in the early stages, while the hugely promising Borna Gin is in trap three and is another highly-fancied contender.

The dog with the sizzling early is Owen McKenna’s Portmageewiseguy and he would be the favourite to lead into the back. He will need help from behind as he runs out of steam as he turns for home. But in finals just about anything is possible.

The field is completed by Skywalker Rafa and Blockthiscaller and both are capable of playing more than supporting roles.

I have been sweet on the prospects of the Brendan Maunsell-trained Man Twenty One (9.40) since his success in the Texacloth Derby and he may have the strength to overcome Johnny Linehan’s Droopys Noah and Pat Buckley’s Borna Gin at the business end of a thriller.

There is also a great card on offer at Kilkenny where the final of the Patsy Browne Memorial will be the highlight.