ACTION-PACKED CARD ON OFFER AT LIMERICK

Peter Farrell

There is a superb night of action on offer at Limerick Greyhound Stadium tonight, headlined by the final of the €2,000-to-the-winner Limerick & Clare GOBA A3 525 and the semi-finals of the Limerick Brakes A1 550.

Kindly sponsored by the Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association, the A3 feature sees Kevinsfort Trump installed as hot favourite after a dominant 28.51 success in last weekend’s semi-finals. The Paraic Campion-trained puppy has improved with every outing and bids for a fourth win from just five starts. Drawn ideally in trap three, another sharp break similar to his 1.26 sectional last time should see him take command into the opening bend. If doing so, Peadar Kinane’s son of Ballymac Cashout could prove difficult to reel in. Among the main dangers is Kacies Beauty. Although she has a little to find on the clock, Kacie Scanlon’s charge posted 28.73 in the semis and caught the eye in defeat when staying on strongly from off the pace to grab second. Wearing the blue jacket tonight, she will need a handy early position but is expected to finish strongly. Likely to challenge Kevinsfort Trump in the early exchanges is Musical Gags in trap four. The daughter of Droopys Flytline has clocked lightning sectionals of 1.25 and 1.28 in her last two outings for owner John Ryan. If reproducing those early splits, she could put the favourite under pressure, although the overall clock suggests she may need a career-best effort to cause an upset. Rossa Blenz finished eight lengths behind Kevinsfort Trump last weekend, though the margin would likely have been closer with a clear run. The Thomas O’Donovan-trained runner was making steady progress before encountering trouble at the penultimate bend. However, he may once again find himself with too much ground to make up entering the back straight. While well drawn in red, the son of Koblenz may ultimately be better suited by a step up in trip. Cherrygrove Four and Leamaneigh Godes complete the line-up, with the latter arriving after landing her semi-final assignment in good style. Paddy Hennessy’s August whelp took charge late on that occasion and remains open to further improvement. Cherrygrove Four has valuable experience but may need to better his 28.84 career-best around Limerick to trouble the principals.

ALL EYES ON ACE IN BRAKES A1 SEMIS

Before the feature final, the semi-finals of the Limerick Brakes A1 550 take centre stage, with all eyes firmly on Tubber Ace following her blistering 29.52 performance seven days ago.

Jointly owned by Tommy Skeffington and Tom Cardill, Tubber Ace was a decisive four-length winner in the opening round and appears to hold strong claims once more. Drawn in trap four, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Susie Sapphire will carry plenty of expectation but looks capable of delivering another commanding display. Made To Measure rates the obvious threat. Trained by Patrick Norris for Mark Lowther, he also dipped under the 30-second barrier in the semis when posting 29.87 and has the benefit of a favourable inside draw in red. Coolanga Flapjax is another expected to improve. Representing Michael Lowry, he possesses plenty of pace and can take a significant step forward from last Saturday’s 30.13 fourth-place finish.

In the second semi-final, A Charda is fancied to bounce back from defeat and secure a sixth career success for Vincent McKenna and the A-Charda-Gael Syndicate. The son of Orchestrate went off the 4/5 favourite in the heats and lost little in defeat when beaten four lengths in 29.52. The April whelp still managed to break 30 seconds and is expected to improve for his previous look around the Dock Road circuit. His rivals include kennel companion Frenchford Madam, who justified strong market support with a smart 30.12 success in her semi-final. Rewarded with trap one tonight, she looks likely to attract further support. Daleroad Best also shaped with promise when finishing strongly last time and, as the sole wide runner in trap six, could make the frame with a clear passage.