Dream run of form hits five for Gortglas at Limerick

TRAPRISE

The most in-form runner on the local racing scene at present, Martin Kennedy’s Gortglas Dream (Magical Bale-Our Marys Dream) had not seen a rival in her wonderful four race winning streak which spanned the new year at Limerick and further extended her remarkable purple patch when claiming a fifth win in-a-row on Thursday.

With her early pace proving a potent weapon, the September 2021 whelp must believe that she is travelling from Ballina for solo trial spins on the Dock Road for having dodged an upgrade following her latest A2 victory, the Kennedy darling once again led throughout in the Gammell Motors A2 525.

All draws come the same to Gortglas Dream when afforded a bump free passage to the opening bend and once breaking on level terms this time, she immediately stamped her superiority on the race when cruising to a near three length lead at the corner. What followed was as predictable as it was impressive and never seriously threatened, she struck the line with a snug four and a half lengths to spare while posting 29.10 (+20).

That winning time will keep her in the A2 grade, and the manner of this thirteenth career win makes her unopposable as she seeks a sublime six on-the-spin next time.

Staying with that Limerick fixture and having secured his first race victory last time out, Abigail Morrissey’s Abigails Fire (King Elvis-Superb Beauty) confirmed that the penny had well and truly dropped with that win as he quickly doubled his tally in most game fashion.

Taking a step up the grading ladder following that maiden score, the April 2023 whelp was well housed in trap 6 for Thursday’s A4 525 contest and breaking adeptly, tracked an early paced rival throughout the initial exchanges before reaching the top of the backstraight with four lengths to recover in second position. Again, displaying strength beyond halfway however, Abigails Fire stealthily reduced the arrears before forced to check briefly upon tackling the closing bends. Ranging up on the outside entering the home stretch, the Morrissey pup showed admirable battling qualities to strike the front close home. Posting 29.21 (+20) in a three-quarter length verdict, he will remain in the same grade with obvious claims for a hat-trick next time.

Rip roaring hat-trick

Moving to the Saturday action at Limerick and the Old Creamery Bar of Hospital A0 525 Yard Stake had drawn new career best performances out of Denis McGrath’s Foxwood Rip (Bockos Jon Jo-Oakfield Dancer) over recent weeks and entering semi-final stage as the sole unbeaten runner in the event, he rattled off a hattrick of heat wins in a wonderful gallop to this weekend’s final.

Improving to 28.40 in quarterfinal success on the previous weekend, the August 2022 whelp was again ideally housed in trap 1 and following a level break for the inside runners, he gamely defended his inside pitch within a four-way tussle for the lead approaching the opening bend. Holding strong against a bump to his outside, the McGrath winner bravely struck the front while tackling the bends and reached the top of the backstraight with two lengths in hand. Increasing his lead while once again impressing with pace at halfway, Foxwood Rip completed a commanding four length score in 28.61 while his fellow local challenger Ballygibbon Cash missed out on the final in fourth place despite a battling effort after significant early bumping.

The opposing semi-final was won by Highview Ben in 28.38 so clearly Foxwood Rip has a task on his paws come Saturday’s showdown, but with the sharp early paced Gulleen Ina expected to lead from a middle draw, the McGrath stalwart can be first in line from his ideal trap 1 berth and is taken to complete his four-timer!

Kevin can bring it Home

Further competition action at Limerick delivered a new winner on the local scene when the Peadar Kinane owned Kevinsfort Homer (Malachi-Kevinsfort Tiger) made a successful debut in the semi-finals of the Limerick Stadium ON2 525 Yard Stake for trainer John Byrne.

Presenting in sharp order from trap 2, the April 2023 whelp disputed the early lead before taking full command following a bump with a rival to his outside at the opening bend. Just a length to the good off the second turn, the Knockalton pup defended that margin all along the backstraight and proving hugely game in the home stretch, repelled the late threat of a strong running rival for a half-length victory in 29.08.

Fastest of this Saturday’s finalists, Kevinsfort Homer can convert if repeating his smart break!

Following double winning success on the previous weekend, the Roscrea kennels of trainer Padraig O’Lone added to the local exploits at Limerick as his Onthe Run Ollie (Grangeview Ten-Muckinish Flyer) doubled his win tally in Saturday’s Talking Dogs A2 525.

Breaking smartly from trap 5, the Alan O’Toole owned August 2022 whelp displayed smart dash to lead at the corner and extending to three lengths at the second bend, never sighted a rival thereafter. Completing a comfortable victory with that same margin in hand at the line, Onthe Run Ollie posted 28.97 and will hold every chance to follow-up in the same grade next time.