TRAPRISE - Rex holds Kuba at bay in Kirby decider

Contested before packed stands amidst a wonderful atmosphere at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Friday, the final of the 2022 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial housed a cast of six who will shape the Open race scene in Ireland and beyond over coming seasons but punctuating his stunning career start to claim final victory, the brilliant Swords Rex (Droopys Sydney-Starry Display) secured a first title for trainer Graham Holland in a dominant display.

Amongst the leading fancies from the outset, a brace of early round heat wins confirmed his fervent designs on the Kirby, but the Barbara Lowndes owned star was forced to settle for qualifying places thereafter while earning his trap 1 berth for Friday’s showdown. Following semi defeat to Kildare, an improved break from the plumb draw was needed and with the pressure on at trap rise, Swords Rex duly responded when just showing his head in front following a largely level start.

Displaying his powerful early pace however, the champion elect forged a tight half length lead over Ballinabola Ed nearing the bend and with a bump between that rival and the advancing Kildare, Swords Rex effectively settled the race while seizing the opportunity to extend readily clear into the backstraight. Over three lengths to the good on the run to halfway, an extremely tight and high-class tussle for places in behind the winner saw two lengths cover the remainder but again displaying his strong running abilities while widest of all throughout, the Pat Guilfoyle trained Magical Kuba secured second place around the closing bends.

It was a slower than optimum start which ultimately cost our local hope his winning chance but exiting the event with huge credit, Magical Kuba chased home Swords Rex at a four and a half length deficit as the 2022 Kirby champion posted a brilliant 28.27 for the 525-yard trip, with the Peter Cronin trained Kildare a further length and a half back in third.

Orla sets up hat-trick bid at Limerick

Having shed her maiden tag at the eighth time of asking a week earlier, Thursday’s meeting at Limerick saw Cathal McLoughney’s Liosgarbh Orla (Droopys Buick-Liosgarbh Betty) quickly double her win tally while advancing to a new career best in A5 525-yard victory.

Breaking just off the pace from trap 2, the July 2020 pup suffered a minor bump before reaching full stride but quickly recovering to take command of the inside rail approaching the bend, the Ardcroney charge advanced to contest a three-way tussle for the lead around the opening turns. Bravely striking the front on the approach to the backstraight, Liosgarbh Orla skipped clear to a two-length halfway lead and comfortably repelling all challengers thereafter, ran out a cosy two and a half-length winner in 29.42.

That winning time will ensure a rise to A4 for her hat-trick bid next time but on the evidence of this most game performance, Liosgarbh Orla can take the upgrade in her stride while retaining plenty of scope for improvement and will hold every chance if securing clear passage.

Soon after, there was further local success to cheer on that same Thursday fixture as Patrick Conway’s Curraghmorestar (Droopys Jet-Fire Back) claimed a second win from her latest three outings when a hugely game winner of her A4 525-yard contest.

Successful in A6 grade at the beginning of the month, the July 2019 whelp suffered crowding when held on upgrade last time but fully getting to grips with the rise on this occasion, displayed all of her strong running abilities having been led throughout the early exchanges.

Breaking well from trap 2, the Ballina charge was flanked by early paced rivals on the run to the first bend and tight for racing room while turning, was shuffled back to fourth place at the top of the backstraight. Within reasonable striking range however, with three lengths to recover approaching the third bend, the Conway charge rushed up on the outside of the leaders while tackling the closing turns. Again, contesting between rivals entering the home stretch, a thrilling three-way dash for the line saw Curraghmorestar with superior resolve while forging a tight half length verdict to settle a hugely entertaining encounter.

Posting 29.52, she will avoid a rise for her next outing and is clearly contesting within a grade that can deliver further success over coming weeks.

Premier back on target

Having returned from a long layoff with victory in A1 grade at the beginning of last month, Sean Kenny’s Gunboat Premier (Droopys Jet-Dynamic Trend) endured a trio of bumpy outings before eased to an appealing A2 grade on Saturday for his 525-yard contest at Thurles and the powerful galloper got back to winning ways in a most game fifth career win.

Drawn widest of six inside seeds, the lightly raced April 2019 whelp broke behind the early pace but bravely secured a path to third place in battling manner around the opening bends. With six lengths to recover on the run to halfway however, the Borrisoleigh powerhouse had a task on his paws but hugely impressive on the run to the closing bends, Gunboat Premier had advanced to second place with just two lengths to recover entering the home stretch.

Always strong at the standard trip, the Kenny charge wasted little time in striking the front off the final turn when offered a run on the rails and Gunboat Premier duly drew readily clear to the line for a two-length verdict over the running-on Errill Daithi in a fast 29.04 (-20).

He will now make a return to A1 next time, but that level should hold no fears on the evidence of Saturday’s performance.