LENNIES & KATHLEEN LAND ROMA CASINO CAMBRIDGESHIRE SEMIS

Peter Farrell

The semi-finals of the 2026 Roma Casino Irish Cambridgeshire Open 750 featured on a nine-race card at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and, as expected, Lennies Desire set the standard as he made it seven wins from ten starts over the marathon trip on Irish soil.

Paul Hennessy has a tremendous record in this competition, having landed the spoils in recent years with both Jaytee Japan and Hello Hammond, and he will head into next Saturday's decider with a strong hand courtesy of Lennies Desire. Lee Craze's former Towcester 500m track record holder has proved a revelation since stepping up to six bends and, despite enduring a couple of luckless passages across the water in recent weeks, it was no surprise to see him installed as the 8/11 favourite. Drawn in four, Lennies Desire faced a number of formidable rivals but quickly laid down a marker with a slick exit from traps to seize control in the opening exchanges. In doing so, the son of Signet Ace - Free From Desire opened a lead of a couple of lengths over Fire Height Kai, with Blackstone Cola also well within striking distance in third. Both rivals remained in close attendance approaching the fourth bend, an indication of the quality on show given Hennessy's runner had scorched to a rapid 28.29 for the 525-yard sectional. Blackstone Cola began to pile the pressure on entering the fifth bend and patrons looked set for a thrilling finish as a result. However, Lennies Desire had plenty left in reserve and found another gear up the Limerick hill to repel the challenge, crossing the line a length and a half clear of Blackstone Cola, with Fire Height Kai taking the final qualifying position. The winning time was a fast 41.51.

KATHLEEN EDGES OUT DYNAMO

Prior to that, Goodnitekathleen emerged from a thrilling duel to make virtually every yard of the running for owner Conor Flynn and trainer Shaun Conway.

Droopys Map was installed as the even money favourite but, despite breaking well from trap five, he was squeezed out in the opening strides by Goodnitekathleen (2/1) in four and Toolmaker Dynamo (5/2)  in six. The latter pair disputed the lead into the opening bend and set the scene for a fascinating battle thereafter. Goodnitekathleen always enjoyed the advantage of the inside line, however, and that ultimately proved decisive as the daughter of Grangeview Ten - Coonough Dolly refused to yield. Posting a smart 28.53 for the 525-yard sectional, 'Kathleen' showed tremendous determination out in front and, despite the persistent challenge of Toolmaker Dynamo, who was making his first start over six bends, she found enough in the closing stages to cross the line a length and a half clear of Robert Gleeson's charge. Ballymartin Neady secured the final qualifying position in a time of 41.62. With GoodniteKathleen recording a 525-yard sectional some three and a half lengths slower than Lennies Desire in the second semi-final, the overall clock suggests next Saturday's decider remains very much all to play for.

FIVERS & MIST IMPRESS ON THE UNDERCARD

Elsewhere on the card, there were a couple of outstanding performances in the closing races.

The first of those came from Bundle Of Fivers, who built on his excellent second-place finish in the recent TIME Club Graders Derby. Owned by Pauline McNamara, the powerful tracker displayed tremendous stamina throughout that competition and the step up to 550 yards looked certain to play to his strengths. Sent to traps at generous odds of 6/1, Bundle Of Fivers also demonstrated that he possesses plenty of early pace, breaking smartly from trap six to seize control in the opening strides. Despite this representing his toughest assignment to date in terms of grade, the son of Grangeview Ten - Rockmount Royce took it all in his stride. Setting a relentless gallop throughout, he maintained a healthy lead down the back before putting his stamina to full use in the closing stages. Crossing the line four and a half lengths clear of Frenchfort Fog, the winning time of 29.75 was a particularly impressive effort over the 550-yard trip.

Shortly after, Vernon Mist produced a stunning Limerick debut for owner Gerry Holian and trainer P.J. Quinn.

Vernon Mist arrived with some exceptional form to his name, particularly around Galway, while a recent trial of 18.51 at Shelbourne suggested he had reached a new level in recent weeks. Drawn in trap three, the 2/1 chance had Portrush Ben for company but, despite not breaking as sharply as anticipated, he displayed tremendous early pace to sweep past his rivals approaching the opening bend and assert. Once in front, there was no stopping the son of Ballymac Cashout - Ballymac Sanjose. Showing both pace and power, Vernon Mist quickly put daylight between himself and the chasing pack before powering up the Limerick hill to cross the line three and a half lengths clear of Portrush Ben. The winning time was a scorching 18.50.