CON & ANNIE KIRBY ACTION TO RAMP UP AT LIMERICK

Peter Farrell

After an action-packed opening night of the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial seven days ago, the field had already been cut to forty-eight runners as the second round heats get underway at Limerick Greyhound Stadium tonight.

Night one had it all in terms of drama. There were some shock exits in the form of Razldazl Edward and Ballinabola Joe, however, there were also a number of exceptional performances with the likes of Toolmaker Josepe, Left Corner Back, Adamantconqueror and Faypoint Ranger all catching the eye. As a result, it’s clear that the talent pool runs deep in this year’s renewal and we have eight top-class second round contests in store tonight.

JOSEPE CAN STAR

As mentioned, Toolmaker Josepe was one of the standout performers last weekend as he prevailed despite being forced to check his stride at several stages of his first round contest.

What was even more impressive about that victory was the fact that The Other Wild was spearheading the field, which goes to show the quality and the engine that Robert Gleeson’s greyhound possesses. He will again don the red jacket in heat one tonight and although he faces some formidable rivals, it would be foolish to dismiss his chances. Don’t expect to see ‘Josepe’ early on, but he will be finishing with a wet sail and is likely to be prominent as a result. Of his rivals, Droopys Deploy ran a good race on his return to Irish soil last time out. A kennel companion of ‘Josepe’, the son of Malachi will improve for the run and his trap five draw won’t pose any issues. Stonepark Browne is another with claims. Michael O’Donovan’s tracker pinged the traps on debut last weekend, before eventually finishing third behind Brideside Bill. He is likely to dictate once again from a good draw in two, however, his stamina will be tested with some big finishers lurking at all angles. Ballymac Tibet certainly falls into that category. Liam Dowling’s pup may be more suited to the extended distances in the months to follow but qualification is certainly not beyond the realms of possibility and he is another to keep an eye on.

PAT TO BOUNCE BACK

Although collared late on in round one, Bogger Pat is the selection in heat two for new connections, R. Colwell and Pat Buckley.

The promising son of Glengar Bale put all of his early speed on show last weekend when comfortably leading into the back before being worn down late on by UK raider, Ballymac Axel. That said, ‘Pat’ would have been settling into new surroundings after a kennel change and expect a sharper effort now he has had time to settle into a new routine. Drawn in four, he will need another ping break in order to lead, however, if doing so there doesn’t appear to be a huge amount of stamina in the contest. Indeed, the race to the bend will prove crucial and the unbeaten Adamantconqueror is the likely favourite in the contest. John and Connor Rainsford certainly have a hot tracker on their hands and he has it all; early speed to coincide with strong stamina. A winner in 28.37 last weekend, he is drawn in trap five and like Bogger Pat, will look to set his stall out at traprise. Of the others, Beaming Joe ran a fine race in defeat in round one and has the speed to figure for Corona Ryan.

WILD TO GO ONE BETTER

The Other Wild may have been collared in the closing yards by Toolmaker Josepe in the opening round but he remains a leading player in this Classic and can get back to winning ways in heat three.

Trained by Jennifer O’Donnell, one suspects that The Other Wild has been kept pretty fresh coming into this competition and will get sharper with each and every outing as a result. A sizzling early-paced son of Ballymac Wild, expect another bold bid from the May whelp as he attempts to make it five wins from just six career starts. Of his dangers, Jacktavern Boom looks a bit special. Trained by David Byrne for The-Pillar-Synd, he is in fact a full brother of Toolmaker Josepe and there were similar characteristics in both performances last weekend. ‘Boom’ came out the wrong side of a photo-finish on that occasion but his engine was clear for all to see and he is again well-housed in trap one to go close. Of the others, the likes of Pain Barrier and Born Braver showed glimpses of what they were about last time out and will no doubt come forward for the run.

AXEL TO WEAR DOWN FUN

Heat four will see no fewer than three first round heat winners lock horns but it is Ballymac Axel that gets the vote after a thoroughly impressive performance for Maxine Locks.

The May whelp showed a stunning turn of speed from the three-quarter mark to reel in the fancied Bogger Pat in his opening round assignment and he will only improve from each run on Irish soil. A son of Ballymac Cooper, he dons the orange jacket later tonight and if he can follow Fun Inthe Run around the opening corner, he should be well-placed to deliver another storming finish. The aforementioned Fun Inthe Run is the obvious threat after he won in trap-to-line fashion in 28.54. The well-bred son of Malachi and Love Island, who is a half-brother to last year’s winner Knockeen Dazzler, has bags of ability and looks a sure leader in this contest. That said, given the way Ballymac Axel ran seven days ago, Michael Malone’s charge may need to manufacture a healthy advantage early doors. Of the others, Lombardi is chasing a fourth straight win from Aidan Comerford and Marie Gilbert but this is tougher, while Coolavanny Shona is banging on the door in terms of breaking her maiden tag and one suspects she will be in the hat next weekend.

FAYPOINT CAN SEAL HAT-TRICK

The joint favourite for outright success is Faypoint Ranger and he looks set to go off very short in heat five for Patricia Flanagan and Graham Holland.

The son of Coolavanny Hoffa has a terrific turn of early speed and he is finding his feet nicely at Limerick. The heavyweight tracker has now won four times from just six career starts and he has a plumb draw in trap three to make every yard of this contest. Indeed, if Holland’s charge breaks on terms, it will be all eyes on the clock. His neighbour in this contest is Ballymac Nash and he is likely to contest early on for Liam Dowling. He showed brilliant battling qualities to see off Bartlemy Mainoo and he did so by clocking just one length slower than Faypoint Ranger on the night. As a result, don’t be surprised if the son of Ballymac Kingdom produces an even better effort this time around. Of the others, Bartlemy Mainoo is perfectly housed in trap one and he looks to have strong claims of advancing, while Skywalker Schar is finding all sorts of trouble but one suspects it is only a matter of time before the penny drops.

HUNTER EXPECTED TO MAKE-ALL

Heat six is the ‘Ballymac’ show with fifty percent of the field holding said prefix. However, despite that, Gallant Hunter will go off favourite and Ollie Bray’s tracker looks a safe bet to prevail.

The son of Broadstrand Bono never looked in any trouble last time out when comfortably seeing off Silent Kobbie in 28.47 and he should once again trap in front in a contest that lacks early speed. Housed well in three, Gallant Hunter is certainly a dark horse in this Kirby and he could set some tongues wagging with another ping break. Of his rivals, the Connacht Derby runner-up, Ballymac Sorrel, looks the main threat. Trained by Pat Buckley for Cormac and Charlie Doyle, the strapping fawn has pace to burn but often leaves his race in the traps. That said, he is very well-drawn in trap one this time around and given his powerful range from halfway, he will have plenty of supporters.

IMPROVING BILL HARD TO OPPOSE

Graham Holland will again carry strong claims in the penultimate heat as Brideside Bill represents the golden kennel.

Owned by Eugene Buckley, the son of Droopys Sydney came from off-the-pace to win in 28.33 last weekend and his performance one-week prior against a seasoned performer in Boylesports Blue was even more impressive. As a result, he looks cherry-ripe at present and is the best drawn dog in the race in the stripes. Of his rivals, Shebetheone boasts an incredible engine but she is finding trouble consistently early on. Jointly owned by Leo and Kate Dunphy, the daughter of Ballymac Wild has all the ability to go to the very top however, and she looks a safe bet to advance from trap four. Elsewhere, Bubbly Charger caught the eye on debut for legendary trainer Brendan Matthews and it would be unwise to rule him out from a better draw in trap one.

HEAVYWEIGHT CLASH TO END THE NIGHT

The evening is set to end with real fireworks as the incredible Lemon Joey comes up against one of the outright favourites, Left Corner Back.

Lemon Joey made all last weekend to post a rapid 28.35, while Left Corner Back obliterated his rivals to win in a fastest of the night 28.27. The race to the corner is sure to prove crucial with both trackers being housed in traps five and six respectively, and it goes without saying that whatever turns in front is likely to land the spoils. Of the pair, Lemon Joey has plenty in hand in terms of the opening sectional clock as his 1.25 is far superior to the 1.34 posted by Left Corner Back. As a result, Murt Leahy’s brindle just gets the nod but this is very much up in the air with the Thomas Leahy-trained Left Corner Back improving at a rate of knots. Outside of the fancied pair, this is a stacked contest with Kournikova, Sole Mio and Silent Kobbie all expected to go well.