PHANTOM RETURNS TO FORM IN TOP-CLASS LIMERICK CARD

Peter Farrell

There were several brilliant performances on offer at Limerick Greyhound Stadium last night with a number of Open contests down for decision, as well as the semi finals of the Limerick A1/A2 525.

Faithful Fred (Droopys Sydney - Faithful Jane) had to settle for second in last week’s opening round of the Limerick A1/A2 but the Finola Richardson-owned runner returned to winning ways in some style in the second semi as struck late to deny his adversary from last week, Ardfert Josie. Both sent to traps the 6/4 joint favourites, like last week, it was Ardfert Josie who showed first from trap four and she took a narrow advantage into the back from Faithful Fred in second. Little to separate the duo down the back, Faithful Fred made his move between the bottom two turns and they went neck and neck on the run for home. The inside line was to prove crucial, however, for Faithful Fred and he rallied up to the rail to see off Ardfert Josie by a neck, in a time of 28.62. The final qualifier was Church St Robbie back in third.

EXCESS RALLIES

In the opening semi, Excess Travel sprung a 5/1 shock as he too finished at speed for owner John Kirwan.

In what was a red-hot affair with Drombeg Ten sent off the even money favourite after his opening round exploits, it was actually litter brother, Drombeg Jake, who set the standard early on from trap five. Showing fine early dash, the latter swept around in front with Excess Travel improving into second after a poor start from trap four. However, rounding the penultimate corner Excess Travel was making rapid inroads on the leader and he sailed up the rails in the closing stages to soar to victory. One and a half lengths between himself and Drombeg Jake, the time was 28.83. Drombeg Ten ran a big race to book his spot in next week’s decider and he remains a greyhound with strong claims of outright success.

PADDY SEALS FAITHFUL DOUBLE

Prior to the exploits of Faithful Fred in the second semi final of the Limerick A1 525, Patsy Richardson had sent out Faithful Paddy to kick-start a double for the kennel.

A winner of his last outing in a smart 29.95 for the 550-yard distance, Faithful Paddy returned to the 550 trip last night and he made no mistakes to record a personal best. 11/8 at the off, the son of Droopys Sydney and Faithful Jane, a brother of Faithful Fred, meant business from the off as he flew from trap four to take a comfortable lead around the opener. Setting a scorching gallop down the back, he stayed on stoutly on the run for home and his rivals had no answer to his terrific 29.79 clock. Ballyelan Rolly was the nearest challenger, two and a half lengths back in second.

PHANTOM PRIMED FOR LEGER TILT

One of the standout races of the night was the Collins Bar Dooradoyle AA0 550 and Hanover Phantom returned to brilliant best with an outstanding display.

Trained by Declan McDonagh for Leeanne Fleming, the Galway track record holder, despite running well, had found it difficult to get his head in front in recent times but he looked set to make a bold bid in this top-class contest. Running from trap four, Hanover Phantom was the 6/4 favourite at the off and he broke excellently from the middle to dispute the early running with Meduza on the inside. Showing the superior early gears at this point, the son of Slippery Robert and Be Slow Dor excelled down the back and in truth, his rivals made little impact on the leader as he extended his advantage on the run for home. Three lengths clear of Meduza crossing the line, the time for Hanover Phantom was a slick 29.65 and one would assume his next stop will be the Matchbook Betting Exchange Irish St. Leger.

IN OTHER RACES

The opening race of the night was an A6/A7 525 but there was clearly one too hot in the race as Wicky Micro proved a class above his rivals in posting an Open class 28.66. Owned by Kevin Kelly, the May 21’ son of Crash and Express Micro went off the even money favourite and he dominated from the outset to win by eight and a half lengths from Blackboy LIzzy in second. A very eye-catching performance from this young prospect.

Urban Castle landed an A3/A4 550 in race three and the Neilus O’Connell-trained greyhound pinged the lids to make-all. Owned by Patrick Griffin, Urban Castle rocketed from boxes and he soon made his intentions clear from an early stage. Setting a blistering gallop throughout, the son of Laughil Blake and Idle Gossip was five lengths better off than Rougarou crossing the line. The time was 29.91.

Adamant Approach has been running at the top of his game at present and he gave John Rainsford another victory in race four as he landed the AO/A1 525. Running from trap five, the 3/1 shot was spring-like at traprise as he blitzed his rivals early on from orange. Joined down the back by Courty Gril in six, the latter briefly headed Adamant Approach around the bottom two bends but Rainsford’s charge came back for more on the run for home. Staying on strongly, the son of Pat C Sabbath and Adamant Gem was two lengths clear crossing the line, in a smart time of 28.59.