EXCEPTIONAL FROM EDDIE IN LIMERICK’S KIRBY TRIAL STAKE

Peter Farrell

It was an action-packed night at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday and, while there were no fewer than four unraced finals on the card, the standout performance came from Lennies Eddie in the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial A1 525 Trial Stake.

Trained by Paul Hennessy for Lee Craze, Lennies Eddie had already hinted at serious ability. I was on hand to witness first hand his impressive 21.04 victory in Dundalk towards the end of 2025, and it now looks clear that run was a sign of what was to follow. A narrow but eye-catching defeat followed in Shelbourne Park, but he put that disappointment firmly behind him last night, coming from off the pace to score in a blistering 28.16.

Just an April whelp, Lennies Eddie went to traps as a 3/1 chance, with Oriental King installed as the 6/4 favourite. At traprise it was Rallying Billy who made the best start from the inside berth in one, but he was soon joined by Lennies Eddie, who turned just a length behind the leader. Excelling to join the front runner passing the pick-up, the son of Dromana Bucko and Portumna Marina proved far too strong at halfway. Hennessy’s charge surged to the front approaching the penultimate bend and quickly asserted. Thereafter, ‘Eddie’ displayed huge stamina, opening a four-length lead turning for home before powering clear to score by five lengths over Rallying Billy. The winning time was a phenomenal 28.16 and he now looks certain to play a major role in the upcoming Kirby Classic.

GOLDEN WIN FOR BOCKOS

In the very next race, another AO Kirby Trial Stake, Bockos Gold also advertised his claims ahead of the Kirby as he produced a sensational display for Graham Holland and The-Jolly-Good-Company Syndicate.

Bockos Gold arrived with strong form in the book, most notably a 28.25 victory at Shelbourne in only his second career start. Fresh from an 18.56 sprint trial, ‘Bockos’ was clearly in top condition and made no mistake in justifying his even-money favouritism. Drawn in three, the powerful tracker showed superior early speed to emerge from a level start and quickly manoeuvre into a four-length lead down the back. Kept honest throughout by Cracking Cody in second, the son of Coolavanny Hoffa and Newinn Cuckoo was never seriously threatened as he galloped to a four-length success in a swift 28.21.

ROMEO SHEDS MAIDEN TAG

Race eight saw another A1 Trial Stake go to post and Jacktavern Romeo emerged a deserving winner for David Byrne and the Pillar Syndicate.

Chasing a first career success after a couple of runner-up finishes, Jacktavern Romeo was strongly fancied and went to traps as the even-money favourite. Wearing the orange jacket, the son of Pestana and Roaming Spirit set out his stall early, showing a brilliant burst of early pace to sweep past Aulton Cash on the run-up. From there, ‘Romeo’ drove strongly down the back and, although his stamina was tested late on, he held on gamely to score by a length and a half from Aulton Cash. The time was 28.51.

BOOZED GETS HIS WISH

The remaining Con & Annie Kirby Trial Stake went the way of the Paraic Campion-trained Boozed Wish, who doubled his career tally with a trap-to-line success.

Owned by Gary Pepper, Boozed Wish had already dipped under 29 seconds on debut but was easy to back in the market, going to traps as a 5/1 outsider. He ignored those odds, however, showing his customary early pace to lead from trap five. In doing so, the son of Ballymac Cashout and Road Queen opened a three-length lead passing the sprint boxes and his rivals never truly threatened thereafter. Kilcolgan Eddie stayed on well to claim second, but Boozed Wish had the race effectively sealed early, crossing the line three lengths clear in 28.56.

UPCOMING CON & ANNIE KIRBY MEMORIAL ON3 525 FINAL

Aside from the Trial Stake action, there were several unraced finals down for decision, the first being the ON3 525.

Donal Duggan was represented by Myoldsligogirl and the 11/10 favourite duly delivered, going one better than her semi-final runner-up effort. Drawn in trap one, the daughter of Signet Ace and Candanchu, owned by the Hot-Tub Syndicate, made full use of her inside berth to slip around in front and avoid early trouble. She was soon locked in a thrilling buckle with Enniscouch Flash in six, but Myoldsligogirl showed great determination to prevail by one length. The time was 29.28.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS ON3 525 FINAL

Philip Buckley enjoyed a fruitful evening at his local track, landing a trio of winners, and Blastoff Sony played his part in landing the ON3 final.

Having earlier struck with Blastoff Ivy in the opener, Buckley was bidding for a quick double and the 3/1 chance duly obliged. Drawn in five, the son of Orchestrate and Blastoff Tess showed smart track craft to sit second early, though he still had plenty to do with Pomba John three lengths clear at halfway. However, both Blastoff Sony and Dakota Spirit were closing strongly and it was the former who found racing room at the final bend to strike the front and secure a three-quarters-of-a-length victory in 29.42.

THE I.R.G.T ON2 525 FINAL

A sweepstake double, and indeed the treble on the night, was secured for Philip Buckley in the ON2 decider as Blastoff Fly scored impressively at odds of 7/2.

A third-placed qualifier from the semi-finals, Blastoff Fly clearly benefited from that debut experience and this time capitalised on major traffic ahead. Kitmans Peggy once again flew from trap three but, after tangling with Swithins Woolie, Blastoff Fly found herself in front at the opening bend. Thereafter the fawn, a daughter of Mustang Jet and Blastoff Apache, went about her business in professional fashion, galloping clear to record a comfortable three-and-a-half-length victory over React Jess. The time was 29.13.

GREYHOUNDS MAKE GREAT PETS ON2 525 FINAL

Paraic Campion, who secured a Kirby ticket later in the card, also enjoyed success with Chestnut Bonny in the ON2 final.

Jointly owned by Tony and Osmond Bennett, Chestnut Bonny went to traps as a 4/1 chance but made a flying start from trap two to take command early. She was soon challenged by Blastoff Music entering the back straight but held firm at halfway. There was still danger approaching the latter stages as Ballycowen Cody produced eye-catching pace in pursuit, but Chestnut Bonny had all the answers and stayed on strongly to secure a three-length victory in 28.76.