GAMMELL CAR SALES KENNEDY CUP TO HIT TOP GEAR AT LIMERICK

Peter Farrell

Kindly sponsored by Mike Gammell, the 2026 running of the popular Gammell Car Sales Kennedy Cup 525 gets underway at Limerick Greyhound Stadium tonight and, in total, there are three opening-round heats, with the first four in each qualifying for the second round.

This event always proves hugely competitive and, with an attractive €3,000 on offer to the eventual winner, this year’s renewal is sure to continue that trend.

In heat one, Glamorous Jet is on the downgrade for the Horan-Family-Syndicate and he holds strong claims based on his last outing at Limerick. On that occasion, the son of Priceless Jet was a fast-finishing second in A2 company and a repeat effort should see him go close. He has the youngster Taylormade Deone on his immediate inside in trap two and, while she remains winless after five starts, the John Byrne-trained lady has caught the eye in defeat and could play a part with a swift exit.

In heat two, there are a number of relatively unexposed types and one or two could well emerge as outright contenders. In trap one, Liam Hayes sends out Ingortroe, who, despite being a June 24’ whelp, has just two starts under her belt. She won her latest outing in 29.18 around Cork and, based on that performance, the daughter of Coolavanny Hoffa can get involved. The selection, however, is the Owen McKenna-trained Duty First in five. This tracker was a 29.41 winner around the tough Lifford circuit and he appears to have improved considerably based on a recent 16.41 trial around Clonmel. On that evidence, the son of Ballymac Cashout looks the one to beat. Throw Blastoff Vinny, who won on debut in 29.06, into the mix and this looks like the heat of the night on paper.

The concluding heat can see Magical Elouise show her hand for Classic-winning trainer Pat Guilfoyle. The choicely bred daughter of Signet Ace and Burgess Sarah posted a brisk 29.33 around Galway and she warmed up in superb fashion over two bends at Shelbourne, posting a scorching 18.68 clock. On the strength of that trial, she looks a major player for outright glory and appears a safe bet from six to land her heat tonight. Her main rival could be Memories Future, who has some fine Thurles form to her name and can get involved for Ned Fogarty from trap one.

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