EXPECT FIREWORKS ON NIGHT TWO OF CON & ANNIE KIRBY MEMORIAL

Peter Farrell

It was a night to savour at Limerick Greyhound Stadium last Saturday as the opening round heats of the 2026 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial got underway. Forty-eight remain in the hunt for Classic glory, and patrons can expect more thrills and spills as the action continues tonight.

Although bettered on the clock on the night, Ballymac Setanta remains the one to beat. Liam Dowling’s star lines out in heat two, a contest in which he can ill afford any slip-ups. A superb 28.00 effort saw the son of Ballymac Kingdom cross the line five lengths clear of his rivals on night one, and he is again well housed in trap two. ‘Setanta’ has been pinging the lids since the turn of the year, but he will need to be at his sharpest here with two exceptional early-paced rivals on either side. Any hesitation at trap rise could leave the outright favourite vulnerable. Chief among those dangers is Bockos Gold, a powerful 86-pounder drawn on the inside in trap one. Matching ‘Setanta’ on the early split clock (1.29), the Graham Holland-trained runner is on an upward curve and has the advantage of the rail if breaking on terms. Berlin Trilogy, drawn on the outside, also commands respect. Despite defeat last time, he showed electric early pace after a slow start and a sharper break could see him turn in front. Unassuming, an eye-catcher behind Ballydoyle Tina last weekend, also has live claims of qualifying. This is a red-hot contest, and any of the principals failing to bring their A-game could be punished.

MONARCH TO MAKE IT TWO FROM TWO

The standout performance of the opening round came from UK raider Bouncing Monarch, who lines out in the penultimate heat.

Trained by Michael O’Donovan, the Bouncing Monarch could not have been more impressive on night one, surging up the inside before dominating in a blistering 27.97. On that showing, the son of Deerjet Sydney has major claims of carrying the prize across the water. A wider berth in trap four presents a new challenge, but it could prove ideal if he breaks in front. That said, he faces stern opposition. Jaykay Fly in trap five looks the main danger. The Paul Hennessy-trained runner showed explosive early speed to land his opening assignment in 28.42 and has gone much quicker in previous starts, so time-finding won’t be an issue. Beautiful Paul and Grouchos Gregor add further depth to what is another fascinating heat.

LENNIES & ELLO LOCK HORNS

The curtain-raiser sees two impressive first-round winners clash as Ello Ello and Lennies Dynamic bid to maintain unbeaten records.

Lennies Dynamic is likely to start favourite after a very likeable success in round one. Showing big early speed, the son of Dorotas Wildcat powered home and continues to progress week by week. From trap six, he should enjoy a clear run to the bend and, if turning prominently, will be difficult to reel in. Ello Ello, however, demands respect. Brendan Matthews’ runner defied double-figure odds to score in style last weekend and will be no surprise package this time. Drawn in three, another bold showing is expected from the Northern raider.Hackney Dancer will be keen for revenge, while Silverhill Bucko is capable of much better but must overcome a tricky draw.

JUST FRANK

Heat four promises to be one of the races of the night, with all six runners holding realistic claims.

Ballycowen Frank is likely to head the market after a dazzling 28.04 success, bolting clear by seven and a half lengths. Despite a potentially awkward draw in five, a similar start could render that irrelevant. Getup The Boy, returning from a Winter break, impressed in posting 28.14 and is expected to improve further given that was his first start of the year. Drawn inside Frank, a fast start is crucial, but it would be foolish to dismiss. Ballymac Gwennie, drawn wide in six, is another major player. Finishing strongly behind Bockos Gold, she shapes as a powerful runner who will be coming home with a wet sail come the business end of proceedings. With Newinn Spot, Blackstone Lexus and Vivaro Warrior also in the mix, this is a heat worthy of any final.

BEANOS TO MAKE ALL

Beanos Yank, one of three winners for Graham Holland last weekend, looks set to go off a short-priced favourite in heat five.

Owned by the Pups-And-Pints Syndicate, Beanos Yank produced one of the standout performances of round one, pinging the lids and winning by ten lengths in 28.09. A repeat effort from trap two should see him dominate once again. Uncle Keith ran with determination in defeat last time, while Side Deal and Shudacudawuda offer solid options on the inside. Boozed Wish, with his early pace, could also outrun odds if breaking on terms. He showed tremendous early speed in round one and has the ability to certainly make the frame.

DUFFLE TO DOUBLE UP

Ballymac Duffle shed his maiden tag in emphatic fashion last weekend, taking control at the second bend before powering clear in 28.09.

A Juvenile Classic finalist at Tralee, the son of Ballymac Cooper confirmed his promise with a commanding display and looks poised to follow up. Drawn in trap one again, early speed may not be his strength, but his stamina and finishing power set him apart.Kennelmate Ballymac Chantry rates the main danger after finishing strongly behind Bouncing Monarch, while the remainder will need to find improvement if they are to upset the apple cart.

ALL ABOUT TINA

In the concluding heat, Ballydoyle Tina is expected to continue her impressive campaign.

Dipping under 28.10 on night one, Paul Ellis and Seamus Hagan’s bitch returned to top form and now finds herself in a favourable assignment. Drawn in four, her improved trapping suggests she can dictate from the outset, which will be ominous for her rivals. Montana Secret, well housed in trap one, appears the closest rival on the clock, while Zenith Pasha is likely to be finishing strongly once again.

JIM CAN CLAIM WIDE-OPEN CONTEST

Jims Gem ran a credible race last time out for Murt Leahy and he has good claims of landing heat three.

A winner of five from eighteen, Jims Gem chased home the impressive Ballycowen Frank in round one and he has been rewarded with a plum draw in trap two tonight. While this looks a wide-open heat on paper, the son of King Sheeran has the tools to go one better. Ballymac Malinas is without a win thus far but has been knocking on the door, while Cushie Flytplan also has a brilliant draw in one as he bids to get back to winning ways.

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A NOTE TO OWNERS AND TRAINERS THAT THE FIRST RACE WILL BE AT THE EARLIER TIME OF 7.17PM, WITH WEIGH-IN BETWEEN 6.10PM TO 6.40PM