TRAPRISE - McGrath’s Fox lets Rip at Limerick

Following a racing freeze-out for the entirety of last week, greyhound racing venues across the country began a tentative return to full scheduling with a resumption of some fixtures on Saturday, and it was the deferred Old Creamery Bar, Hospital A0 525 Yard Stake at Limerick which harboured the bulk of local interest where Denis McGrath’s Foxwood Rip (Bockos Jon Jo-Oakfield Dancer) went fastest of all!

With five opening round heats in the 30-runner event, the August 2022 whelp was last into action for the concluding qualifier with a more pleasing draw on the rails than when wider than optimum in his final start before the new year when held in the same company.

Breaking on terms this time, the McGrath charge ably defended the rails while matching rivals to his outside for early pace approaching the corner. A length to the good at the crown of the bends, Foxwood Rip quickly increased his advantage to the backstraight and although he could be called the winner before tackling the closing bends, the Ballinaclough prospect further confirmed his superiority over hapless rivals when extending to a dismissive eight and a half lengths at the line.

Completing a strong running victory in 28.48, he will take favourite claims to this Saturday’s quarter final session and though without a draw for those heats at time of print, clear passage will make Foxwood Rip very difficult to contain versus any remaining rivals.

Joining that local winner in the quarter finals will be John O’Meara’s Ballygibbon Cash (Ballymac Cashout-Sive To One) having produced a most game qualifying effort in Heat 4 of the opening round at Limerick.

Held with poor starts in his latest two outings, the April 2022 whelp nonetheless remained in good form following a highly fruitful period towards the end of his 2024 campaign and confirmed that he can be a player in the competition despite a tardy start from trap 2.

Inconvenienced in the early strides by an early paced rival forcing him towards the middle of the track, the O’Meara stalwart raced in last position to the opening bend before reaching the backstraight with four lengths to recover despite advancing to fourth place. Reducing arrears in a bid to secure qualification approaching the closing turns, Ballygibbon Cash was again tight for racing room but passing a brace of rivals when free to gallop strongly on the run to the line, secured second place close home when going down by seven lengths in 28.51.

Clearly with more to offer if securing clear passage off a better break, he can hold place claims at the very least this weekend.

Staying with Saturday’s fixtures, semi-final action in the capital saw Patrick Conway’s Curraghmorecoco (Droopys Sydney-Allowdale Coco) advance to a final decider at the outset of this new 2025 campaign which sees trainer David Buckley take charge of the Ballina favourite.

Having advanced to A0 grade with very smart 600-yard performances at Limerick for his home kennel, the October 2021 whelp was returning from a six-month absence when missing his break from trap 3 in the Talking Dogs A0 525 Stake. However, the Conway charge predictably stayed stoutly through traffic and passing rivals from the third bend, secured safe qualification when going down by a total of two and a half lengths for third place in 28.98.

He will need to progress for this return come Saturday’s final but can be a threat to all if within reasonable striking distance to halfway.