BOCKOS V SETANTA IN 1XBET IRISH ST. LEGER OPENER AT LIMERICK

Peter Farrell

It promises to be a big night at Limerick Greyhound Stadium as the opening eleven heats of the 2026 1xBet Irish St. Leger 550 get underway tonight, headlined by the eagerly anticipated return of this year’s Irish Derby champion, Bockos Gold.

Last seen capturing the greatest prize in Irish greyhound racing, Bockos Gold makes his return to competitive action in the concluding heat tonight, where he faces stern opposition in the shape of Ballymac Setanta. Both trackers have been installed as the 6/1 joint favourites to land this prestigious Classic and patrons are set for a mouthwatering clash between two of the fastest greyhounds on the planet. Indeed, the €30,000-to-the-winner renewal is brimming with quality, with a host of Ireland’s leading trackers bidding for Classic glory. With eleven competitive heats down for decision on the opening night alone, the stage is set for a fascinating few weeks of top-class action at the Dock Road circuit.

A MOUTHWATERING BUCKLE

There is only one place to start, however, and that is with heat eleven, where Bockos Gold and Ballymac Setanta are set for a fascinating showdown. Bockos Gold was simply phenomenal throughout the Derby, improving with each passing round before culminating with a brilliant 29.05 victory in the decider for Graham Holland and the Jolly-Good-Company-Syndicate. Not seen in competitive action since, he is clearly in fine fettle judging by his exceptional 27.85 trial around Limerick and, given how well he handled the circuit during the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial earlier this year, one suspects he will prove a difficult nut to crack. Drawn in three tonight, the giant son of Coolavanny Hoffa will need to be on his toes from the outset, with Ballymac Setanta holding the inside advantage, and this contest could well be decided at the lift of the lids. In contrast to ‘Gold’, Ballymac Setanta has been kept busy of late, breaking the track record at Cork during the Laurels before finishing runner-up to kennel companion Ballymac Kamala in the decider. Race fitness could prove a key factor tonight and, while Bockos Gold is undoubtedly the one to beat over the course of the Classic in my eyes, Ballymac Setanta may well hold the edge on this occasion.

JAMES BACK IN ACTION

One of the stars of this year’s BOYLE Sports Irish Derby was Wi Can James and the Pat Guilfoyle-trained star, owned by Lars and Anita Wicander, can make a winning return in heat nine tonight.

The son of Ballymac Cashout produced a string of eye-catching performances throughout the Derby and looks set for a big end to the year for connections. Ideally drawn in trap one tonight, he is sure to come on considerably for his recent 18.89 .10s trial and, while he faces a formidable rival in the hugely talented Ballymac Gwennie, Wi Can James can make every yard from his plum draw on the fence.

DENIRO TO STAR

Ballymac Deniro is another making his return to competitive action, having last been seen finishing behind Ballymac Setanta in the final of the Michael Fortune Memorial Plate on Derby final night.

On that occasion, he posted a brilliant 29.39 in defeat, producing an exceptional performance in his own right. Liam Dowling’s charge comes into tonight’s assignment fresh from a sensational 17.03 trial around Tralee and he rates as nap material in heat eight. Drawn in six, he faces some stern opposition, however, few can match the son of Ballymac Finn when at his brilliant best and expect him to lay down a real marker on his return to competitive action.

SOLO TO GO

Heat six is another cracking contest, with Solo And Go locking horns with Derby consolation winner Low Profile.

The Liam Dowling-trained Solo And Go possesses electric early speed and is a different proposition when drawn on the fence in trap one. The son of Ballymac Best comes into tonight’s assignment fresh from a string of phenomenal performances at Cork and is preferred on this occasion ahead of Graham Holland’s Low Profile. The latter has taken his form to another level in recent months, however, he will need to improve considerably on his recent 28.43 trial effort if he is to prevail. Elsewhere, Swords Diamond is another capable of entering calculations, while Thurlesbeg Duke is sure to be finishing strongly come the business end of proceedings.

EDDIE CAN REDISCOVER BEST FORM

To further underline the calibre of greyhounds gracing Limerick tonight, the Classic also features English Derby champion Lennies Eddie, who can get back to winning ways in heat five.

The Paul Hennessy-trained star has yet to rediscover the form that saw him capture the UK’s blue riband event back in June, however, the Limerick circuit should play to his strengths and a bold showing can be expected. Drawn in four, this shouldn't pose too many problems for the son of Good Cody and, given a level start, he can showcase his undoubted class. Of his rivals, Slippery Felix is well drawn in trap one to run a big race for Graham Holland, while Ballyhooly Cliff posted a rapid 29.54 in a recent trial over course and distance and cannot be overlooked on that evidence.

HEAT WATCH

Heat 1 - The evening should get off to a flying start with a hugely competitive opening heat, where Daleroad Magic gets the vote. Pat Guilfoyle’s charge possesses a huge engine and dipped under the 28-second barrier around Tralee in mid-September. Drawn in six tonight, a fast start will be crucial, however, he is ideally housed out wide and could get first run on his rivals. Crowden Avenger looks the obvious danger following a fantastic Derby campaign, while Singalong Magic also commands plenty of respect from trap three.

Heat 2 - Ballyea Warrior produced a string of brilliant performances around Shelbourne Park during the Derby and the Limerick circuit looks tailor-made for his abundance of early speed. Pat Buckley’s charge boasts a terrific record of nine wins from just twelve starts and will be bidding to make every inch of the running from trap four tonight. Of his rivals, Priceless Romeo looks the main danger and will be finishing strongly for Paul Hennessy and owners Bryan and Kathleen Murphy from trap six.

Heat 3 - The ever-reliable Swords Style lines out in heat three and looks the most likely winner for Graham Holland and Barbara Lowndes. The son of Grangeview Ten is the ultimate professional and, when getting his head in front, is a notoriously tough nut to crack. Drawn in trap three tonight, the classy fawn is selected to make it 23 wins from 40 starts, with Jaykay Fly expected to provide the sternest opposition from trap two.

Heat 4 - Hackney Dancer was an Irish Derby finalist for Michael O’Donovan and makes his first competitive appearance since the decider in heat four tonight. Coming into the contest fresh from an 18.65 trial, the son of Dorotas Wildcat is a leading contender, however, he will need to trap on terms from a tricky draw in four. Instead, Lennies Dynamic looks the likely favourite for Paul Hennessy and Lee Craze. Collared late by Waitingforastar over further last time out, he should appreciate the drop back in trip and looks a likely leader from his wide berth in trap six.

Heat 7 - Graham Holland boasts a formidable hand in the 2026 renewal and Newinn Uganda can further strengthen his challenge by seeing off her rivals in heat seven tonight. The daughter of Swords Rex was hugely impressive across the pond in recent weeks, further enhancing a growing reputation that had already seen her post some electric times around Shelbourne Park. She will don the orange jacket tonight and, while she can ill-afford any slip-ups from trap five, she has the class to land the spoils. Hackney Plan and Grangeview Rocko look the main dangers from traps one and four respectively.

Heat 10 - Another stacked contest is in store here, where Getup The Boy can emerge victorious for Mark Robinson and Daniel Ornstein. The son of Ballymac Cashout has handled the Limerick circuit brilliantly in the past and appears to have taken his form to another level in recent months, producing some exceptional displays around Shelbourne Park. He posted a rapid 28.09 in a recent trial and his draw in trap five shouldn't pose too many concerns. Of his rivals, Roaming Shelby is a major player with a huge engine, while Bills Harbour also comes into the contest on the back of some eye-catching trial efforts and has the added advantage of a plum draw in red. Throw Glengar Silent into the mix and this has all the makings of one of the standout heats of the night.