JUST 18 REMAIN IN LIMERICK’S TIME CLUB GRADERS DERBY

Peter Farrell

Connections are edging ever closer to the €20,000 winner’s purse in the TIME Club Graders Derby 525, with tonight’s action set to whittle the remaining 18 runners down by six ahead of next weekend’s semi-finals.

After three competitive rounds, the standard remains at a very high level and there is little room for error. Every heat promises drama as runners bid to secure their place in the last dozen and keep their dream of claiming a huge pot alive. By the end of tonight, another six more hopefuls will have fallen by the wayside, leaving the surviving trackers just two races away from glory.

RUBY THE ONE TO BEAT IN OPENER

The standard was set by Kells Ruby in the third round and he could scarcely have been more impressive, running out a near ten-length winner for Seamus Martin and Thomas Leahy. The October puppy posted a slick 28.46 .10f on that occasion and any repeat of that display would make him the one they all have to beat in tonight’s opener. Drawn in trap two in Heat One, the son of Ballymac Cashout still appears to have plenty of improvement to come given his age and that could spell trouble for his rivals. Of those rivals, Imagine If is another very much on an upward curve and could emerge as the chief threat based on her smart 1.29 sectional last time out. He too clocked a smart 28.54 .10f last time out and he could set a blistering gallop for Liam Cahill and Tony Lacey. Meanwhile, Trumpers Snoop is ideally housed in the red jacket as he bids for a third successive victory in the competition. Shane Roynane’s charge posted 28.87 .20f and 28.71 .10f in his last two starts and has been a model of consistency throughout the campaign. Gortkelly Bart could be an outside bet in this contest, provided he can secure a clear passage from what looks a tricky draw in trap four.

HAZEL CAN LAND EVEN CONTEST

Heat Two looks one of the most competitive contests on the card, but a narrow vote goes to Carrigmore Hazel following a fine third-round success for the EPE-Brosnan Syndicate. The August ’24 whelp recorded a rapid 28.75 .10f on that occasion and did so in determined fashion, fending off the persistent challenge of Eimears Lady throughout. Drawn in red this time around, the daughter of Ballymac Cooper appears ideally housed and, if reproducing the sizzling 1.28 sectional she produced last weekend, can take control from the outset. Among her main dangers in my eyes is Bounceback Poppy, who is much better drawn in trap two this weekend. The strong-running daughter of Droopys Jet can mount a serious challenge if turning a little closer to the pace.

Eimears Lady, trained by Brian Robinson, wears the white jacket and also commands respect. She has adapted well to Limerick and, although she found no answer to Carrigmore Hazel last time out, Gerald Quinn’s runner is far from out of the equation. Ballysloe Max remains without a career success for Paraic Campion but caught the eye with a promising display last weekend and it would come as no surprise were he to enter calculations.

NARROW VOTE FOR AL

The final heat is packed with quality performers, but Kerryroad Al gets the nod after an impressive third-round success for Kevin McLean. ‘Al’ showed a brilliant turn of foot from halfway to comfortably account for Da Brake on that occasion, while the clock backed up the visual impression as he stopped it in a brisk 28.60 .10f. He once again lines out in the black jacket and, if negotiating the run-up without incident, could prove difficult to contain in the closing stages. Chief among his rivals for me is Bundle Of Fivers, who is sure to attract plenty of support for Pauline McNamara. The brindle son of Grangeview Ten has shown considerable ability throughout the competition but appears to have taken his form to another level in recent weeks. Successful in 29.08 in Round Two, he improved again last time out when beaten just a length in a rapid 28.54 (.10f). On that occasion he was finishing strongly and, from a plum draw in the stripes, looks well capable of booking a semi-final berth. Another with strong claims is Knockroe Jersey, who will occupy trap one. Suthida Lloyd’s runner was flawless when posting a blistering 1.23 sectional en route to a 28.78 (.10f) success and a repeat of that effort could see her make the frame.