JACK TO WHOOP IT UP IN DERBY DECIDER

A YEAR ago the Irish finalists Tyrur Shay and Clares Rocket had to settle for second and third placings in the first English Derby staged at Towcester.

Tonight the well-drawn Whoops Jack may become the first Irish winner at the new classic venue.

Trained by Peter Cronin for Dublin publican Larry O’Shea,

Whoops Jack (9.07) possesses sizzling early pace and it will be most disappointing if he doesn’t shoot clear around the opening bend in the 500 metres decider.

Droopys Verve is likely to be favourite and the odds are that he will be prominent to the bend. But if Whoops Jack clears the corner he can open a winning lead by halfway.

Kevin Hutton’s Dorotas Wildcat has brilliant pace but isn’t the strongest stayer. However, he can cause problems for Droopys Verve. Dorotas Vic is normally a poor starter and for the major threat at the finish, I look towards the Mark Wallis-trained Bombers Bullet and Bruisers Bullet.

The heart and the head suggest a victory for Whoops Jack at the expense of Bruisers Bullet and Droopys Verve.

On the home front the main action will be the semi-finals of the Barry’s Tea Open 750 at Curraheen Park, and the likely heat winners are Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Sarahjo

(9.20) and Paul Hennessy’s

Jaytee Charlie (9.35).

The final of the Toolmaker Ulster Puppy Cup will be run at Drumbo Park and sponsor Willie Hyslop has a terrific chance with Toolmaker Maxwel. His main rival may be Ballybeg Nidge.

The Pat Guilfoyle-trained Magical Logan is a potential star and he is a major prospect in the Kasko Novice at Thurles.