TOP-CLASS LIMERICK UNDERCARD HEADED BY SEAN O’CONNOR MEMORIAL

Peter Farrell

While the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial is the main course at Limerick tonight, there is top-class action throughout the card, and the Sean O’Connor Memorial A1 525 is a fitting support act.

A handsome €5,000 awaits the winner of the Sean O’Connor decider and a relatively open affair can see the in-form Brickhill Moana prevail. Trained by Vincent McKenna, ‘Moana’ tasted defeat in round one of this stake but bounced back in the most emphatic fashion, clocking a rapid 28.27 last Saturday night. A repeat of that performance can see John Collins and Albert Long’s tracker land the prize and she is aided by what looks a great draw in trap three. The improver in the field looks to be Gaytime Teco in five. Very lightly raced for a January 24’ whelp, Graham Holland’s runner doubled his career tally in the semis when staying on well to win in 28.65. The son of Roaming Turbo, owned by Brendan O’Connell has a bit to find on the clock, however, he is in the right hands and expect further improvement tonight. Of the others, Burgess Bonnie is much better drawn in red this weekend and is sure to make a bold bid for Paraic Campion and JJ Fennelly, while Youandme Babe can never be discounted given the finishing power that she possesses. Paul Hennessy’s lady dons the blue jacket and she will look to nestle into a favourable position early on. Meanwhile, Neilus O’Connell and Karen Geoghegan are represented by both Kilcolgan John and Kilcolgan Eddie in the decider, both of which have performed with brilliant credibility up to this point. The kennel comrades have a good engine from the halfway mark and are certainly capable of making the frame. A brilliant renewal awaits, but Brickhill Moana is the selection to make-all.

LIMERICK & CLARE GOBA DECIDER

Aside from the Sean O’Connor Memorial final, the Limerick & Clare GOBA A2 525 also goes down for decision and €1,700 awaits the winner of this stake.

This too has produced top-class action in recent weeks and while the stake was A2, there are three AAO runners in the line-up, all set to feature prominently in the market. On the basis of the draw, the Corona Ryan-trained Sheezatwister gets the vote. This lady has awesome early speed and this was reflected by her 1.22 sectional last weekend. While she is susceptible late on, the daughter of Magical Bale, owned by John Edwards, can get loose early to build a commanding lead. Fleeting Moment and Ballymartin Neady look the chief threats. Both served up an epic last weekend in the semis but despite the latter gaining the upper hand on that occasion, the draw has not been kind to Sean Roche’s tracker and she must negotiate a tricky draw in five. As a result, Fleeting Moment is the one selected to chase Sheezatwister into the back. Two Chimneys remains unbeaten and is steadily improving for Paul Hennessy and Paul Hynes, while Tally Ho Rose will need a ping start to dictate and Tyrap Malachi will require traffic up top in order to enter calculations. David Carroll’s runner drew the short straw with the draw but rarely runs a bad race.

SUPPORTING CARD

Aside from the stake finals, there is an incredible card on offer, understandable given the magnitude of the night.

Race 1 – Minella Times A1 525 – Bogger Tommy gets the nod in this contest as he bids for three wins on the spin for Liam Peacock. He has fine form at a whole host of tracks and has a suitable draw in trap five.

Race 2 – Don’t Push It A1 525 – Although facing a tricky draw in trap five, Titanic Brads is the selection for Graham Holland and Northern owner, James Campbell. The son of Deerjet Sydney – Bogger Swift has serious early speed and a level start can see him dictate from the outset.

Race 3 – Johnnywho Open 750 – It is fantastic to see six-bend action on the card and this is a red-hot contest. The class animal in the field is Boylesports Blue for Paul Hennessy and he can make a winning return to marathon action after an encouraging few months back at HQ.

Race 4 – Synchronized A1 525 – Radical Dreamer is finally drawn where he wants to be on the rails in this contest and Thomas O’Donovan’s charge can certainly stake a claim despite some troublesome passages of late. This is a very open contest, however, with Ballymac Riddick also selected to go well.

Race 6 – Dinoblue Open 350 – The Limerick track record holder, Stonepark Browne, makes his reappearance in a brilliant sprint contest and he can take his career tally into double figures. He reached the final of the Supersprint in recent weeks and has the draw in two to give his rivals the slip tonight.

Race 8 – Istabraq Open 525 – Canavour Bucko was impressive in the earlier rounds of this year’s Kirby Classic and the Pat O’Connell-trained brindle can secure the win in the Open 525. He was just two lengths adrift of Ballymac Duffle in round two and anything close to that type of form should see the son of Dromana Bucko prevail.

Race 10 – I Am Maximus Open 525 – The reigning Connacht Derby winner, Droopys Map, lines out in race ten and Con Guiney’s runner gets the vote from a great draw in two. He is a consistent breaker with big pace throughout, suggesting he will race prominently at the head of proceedings. Slick Sabre was one of the country’s brightest stars last year and he is another to keep an eye on despite this being his first start of the year.

Race 11 – Meetmebythesea AO 525 – Carrig Cartel faces a tricky draw in five in this contest, however, he is arriving in good form for Jack Kennelly. A winner of three from just four starts, the son of Ballymac Cashout showed a lovely turn of early speed last time out at Limerick and a level break should see him hit the front early.

Race 12 – Saratoga AO 575 – A fine conclusion to the evening can see Val Tashadelek go close for Larry Dunne and Graham Holland. The brilliant son of Dorotas Wildcat is having his first race in some ten months but recent trials suggest he is in fine fettle. Timmys Bucks can emerge a threat for Tim and Olive Cliffe in trap two.