Magical Bale produced the star turn of the evening at Shelbourne Park, running a sizzling 29.66 to scorch into next Saturday's Irish Greyhound Derby final.
The Patrick Guilfoyle-trained dog led home Paul Hennessy's Jaytee Taylor and joint-favourite Cliona Blaze, trained by Graham Holland, in the first of the semis.
Magical Bale broke well from trap 2 but had work to do to reel in Cabra Hurricane, who faded badly on the home straight.
In a brilliant second semi-final, Slippy Cian (29.80) and Ballyanne Sim had a thrilling battle on the run-in, with the former just sneaking victory on the line.
Ballyanne Sim broke like a rocket and led for most of the race before being gobbled up in a congested finish, in which Clonbrien Hero took third and the last qualification spot.
The final takes place in Shelbourne Park next Saturday night, with prize money of €140,000 awaiting the winner.
Magical Bale wins the first semi-final of the Irish Greyhound Derby from Jaytee Taylor and Clona Blaze pic.twitter.com/oPjuK7USKW
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) September 15, 2018
Slippy Cian wins the second semi-final Irish Greyhound Derby. He pips Ballyanne Sim on the line with Clonbrien Hero coming home in third pic.twitter.com/YO9XAwxDVJ
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) September 15, 2018
IRISH GREYHOUND DERBY FINAL DRAW
