GREYHOUND PREVIEW: In this week’ preview, Barry focusses on the semi finals of the Con and Annie Kirby memorial at Limerick on Saturday, Live on SIS. The English Greyhound Derby starts later this month and there are a number of interesting trial stakes at Towcester this Sunday, as we look at the best of the action.
We are down to the final twelve in the hugely valuable Con & Annie Kirby Memorial at Limerick this Saturday, with Ballymac Setanta still heading the market. Attention will soon turn to Towcester, where the English Greyhound Derby gets underway later this month, and we have another cracking Sunday card to look forward to in the meantime. Let’s take a look at the best of the action.
Kirby Memorial Limerick (Saturday)
First Semi-Final
🟥 Ballymac Setanta
🟦 Jaykay Fly
⬜ Getup The Boy
⬛ Ballymac Duffle
🟧 Ballycowan Frank
🔲 Waitingforastar
Verdict:
Ballymac Setanta remains the one to beat. He returned to winning ways last week with a rapid 27.90, posting a smart 1.25 sectional, and the draw looks ideal for Liam Dowling’s star. He should have too much early pace for Jaykay Fly and Getup The Boy, and will be looking to put himself in a prominent position at the opening bend.
Setanta got the better of Ballymac Duffle and Ballycowan Frank last weekend. While Duffle ran a cracker to get so close to his kennelmate, the draw has not been kind to either, and both will need some luck to reverse the form.
Waitingforastar was a real eye-catcher when runner-up to the excellent Bockos Gold last time. Despite the wide draw, he can steer clear of trouble, and Pat Guilfoyle’s strong-running son of Droopys Jet can secure qualification.
Getup The Boy, no stranger to big-race success for Mark Robinson, also has claims with one of his better starts. However, it is hard to oppose Ballymac Setanta, who is taken to score from Waitingforastar and Getup The Boy.
Second Semi-Final
🟥 Ballydoyle Tina
🟦 Bockos Gold
⬜ Cushie Flytplan
⬛ Bouncing Monarch
🟧 Rapido Ivy
🔲 Beanos Yank
Verdict:
A cracking race in prospect. Ballydoyle Tina, Bockos Gold and Bouncing Monarch have all been sensational in the competition so far, with the latter two unbeaten.
Bockos Gold has now won four from four at Limerick and continues to improve, with last week’s 27.92 the best performance of his career to date. His sectionals are strong, but he will need to reproduce that level again with kennelmate Ballydoyle Tina on his inside.
Tina tasted defeat last week after missing the start, though her previous two runs were among the best in the competition. It remains to be seen how she will handle the inside draw, and there is a sense she may edge slightly off the rails.
Bouncing Monarch has done little wrong since joining Michael O’Donovan and, despite a less-than-ideal draw, could benefit if there is trouble on the inside. However, he will need to sharpen up at trap rise.
Cushie Flytplan, our ante-post selection, possesses huge pace when things click, though the draw again looks far from ideal. Beanos Yank has handled wide draws well in the past and could get a clear passage on the outside.
This looks a real minefield for punters. The race will likely be decided at trap rise and could be over within the first 50 yards. Hopefully, Cushie Flytplan can make the final, but this may be a heat to watch rather than wager on.
The top three from each semi-final qualify for next weekend’s €80,000 final. Best of luck to all connections.
Towcester (Sunday)
With the opening round of the English Derby fast approaching, we have a strong card at Towcester this Sunday featuring several big names.
Lennies Eddie lines up in the first Derby trial stake for Paul Hennessy. He shaped well in a recent sprint trial and brings solid Irish form to the table. Still lightly raced, he impressed over two bends at Dundalk last November and posted a slick 28.16 when winning at Limerick early last month. A very interesting prospect.
In the third trial stake, the Irish pair Low Profile and Priceless Romeo may be worth taking on.
Priceless Romeo has shown flashes of quality but could struggle on his first run at the track from trap six. Low Profile is a strong-running type who should be suited by Towcester in time but may come on for the outing.
We know how effective Lennies Desire is around here. He returned last week with a rapid 28.66 trial, and the draw looks ideal. If he breaks on terms, he could prove very hard to beat. Goldcash Warrior has also shaped well in recent trials and would come into contention with a sharp start. Slippery Brian impressed in victory last week, while Kranky Drake caught the eye in defeat behind Swords Style. A competitive contest, but the vote goes to Lennies Desire.
One of the races of the year at the track follows. Swords Style will once again have plenty of supporters as he takes on Tote Gold Cup winner Coloursaregreen, who makes his UK debut. The latter has a couple of lengths to find on recent Irish form, while Swords Style also has the benefit of recent runs.
Kent Plate winner Scooby The Lady arrives in peak form and gets the nod here. Santas Amigo and Romeo Ability have both impressed in recent trials, making this a fascinating contest, but a tentative vote goes to Scooby The Lady.
All the best,
Barry.
