LIMERICK SET FOR THRILLING ROMA CASINO IRISH CAMBRIDGESHIRE FINAL

Peter Farrell

One of the feature six-bend events on the Irish Greyhound Racing calendar takes centre stage at Limerick Greyhound Stadium tonight as the 2026 Roma Casino Irish Cambridgeshire Open 750 reaches its conclusion.

Worth €4,000 to the winner, the Dan Flynn-sponsored decider features some of the finest marathon performers in training and, despite the presence of favourite Lennies Desire, the final looks a fiercely competitive affair. The Paul Hennessy-trained star has proved a revelation since stepping up to six bends and arrives on the back of a superb 41.51 semi-final success. On that occasion, Lee Craze's son of Signet Ace - Free From Desire posted a blistering 13.14 sectional before making every yard of the running and, ideally housed in trap one, he looks well placed to seize early control once again. With his semi final victory coming on his first outing at the Dock Road circuit, there is every chance an even sharper display is forthcoming.

THREATS APLENTY

That said, this is a red-hot contest and Lennies Desire can ill afford to surrender the early initiative. Chief among his dangers is Blackstone Cola. Trained by David Flanagan for Matthew Derrick, the daughter of Dromana Bucko is one of the few greyhounds to have lowered the colours of Lennies Desire in the past and she lost little in defeat when finishing just a length and a half behind him in the semi-finals. She was some four lengths slower to the sectional mark that night, suggesting she finished with real purpose, and from trap three she looks certain to be in contention entering the closing stages. Another with leading claims is Goodnightkathleen in trap five. Shaun Conway's runner landed her semi-final in 41.62, staying on determinedly to repel the challenge of Toolmaker Dynamo. Conor Flynn's daughter of Grangeview Ten is a strong-running type, although she has perhaps drawn the short straw of the inside seeds in trap five. As a result, a sharp break and a slice of racing luck may be required.

DYNAMO CANNOT BE DISMISSED

Robert Gleeson is represented by Toolmaker Dynamo, who made a hugely encouraging start to marathon racing in the semi-finals, playing his part in a thrilling duel with Goodnightkathleen before just being ousted in the closing stages. Considering it was his first attempt over the trip and only the sixth start of his career, William Hyslop's runner is certainly entitled to improve and the son of Droopys Flytline - Droopys Dancer is impossible to dismiss from an ideal draw in trap six.

NEADY & KAI THE OUTSIDERS

Completing the line-up are Ballymartin Neady and Fire Height Kai in traps two and four respectively. Both booked their places by claiming the final qualifying spots in their respective semi-finals and head into the decider as the outsiders of the field. Sean Roche's Ballymartin Neady is a talented performer on her day but may find one or two too strong in this company, while Fire Height Kai, hailing from Brendan Maunsell’s kennel, had every chance after racing prominently for much of his semi-final. Both will require plenty to fall their way if they are to spring a surprise.