EXPECT ANOTHER MONBEG MASTERCLASS IN O’CONNOR JULIAN VETS TRI-DISTANCE

Peter Farrell

The semi-finals of the €3,000-to-the-winner O’Connor Julian Vets Cashel Tri-Distance serve as the headline act on tonight’s Limerick card and, after a fantastic performance in round one, Monbeg Hero looks sure to go close over the extended 600-yard trip.

Cormac Doyle’s runner clocked a superb 29.70 over 550 yards seven days ago, crossing the line nine lengths clear of his nearest rival. The son of King Sheeran arrived with strong form around the capital and duly franked those efforts with a runaway victory. There was nothing in that performance to suggest the step up in trip will pose any issue for Monbeg Hero and he looks a solid selection from a favourable draw in trap two. Of his rivals, Boardofpeace looks the most likely to challenge, particularly in the opening exchanges. His 2.92 sectional last week was just shy of a length quicker than Monbeg Hero and he may need a similar start if he is to upset the apple cart. That said, the fawn son of Dromana Bucko dipped under 30 seconds himself last time out, so he certainly warrants plenty of respect. Of the others, Snuggie Tasha was finishing strongly last time out and this trip should play to her strengths, while Leamaneigh Godes cannot be dismissed from a plum draw in the stripes.

In the second semi-final, Monbeg Notorious can seal a one-two for Cormac Doyle, just as the kennel managed in the opening round. On that occasion, the litter brother of ‘Hero’ also won in trap-to-line fashion, posting 30.06 in the process. He should be better suited by his draw in four and another bold bid is expected from this progressive tracker. Velvet Lagatha should get stronger as the distances increase and she can make the frame from an excellent draw in trap one, while Bells Greet ran a credible race when following Monbeg Hero home in round one. The Stephen Murray-trained bitch is drawn in six and can emerge as the main early threat to ‘Notorious’.

FLOWTECH IRELAND STAKE

On the supporting card, the opening-round heats of the Flowtech Ireland A4/A5 525 get underway.

Kindly sponsored by Flowtech Ireland, this €3,000-to-the-winner stake has four first-round heats on offer and, in the opener, it may pay to follow the youngsters. Philip Gough sends out Keelins Peppa from trap two and she enjoyed a fine qualifying campaign despite failing to raise a flag in her two starts thus far. Drombeg Milo, meanwhile, is down several grades for this contest and, if returning to his best form, should play a major part.

In the second heat, the Thurles form of Hollyhill Wispa reads well. The son of Droopys Got It boasts a 29.12 best around the Premier venue and, if producing anything close to that, he could prove too sharp for his rivals.

Michael Keating’s kennel has been in good form of late and Magicman can maintain his strong start to his career in the penultimate heat. The son of Dorotas Wildcat is two from three thus far and, given he is just a February ’25 whelp, there should be plenty more improvement to come.

Mcenroe was beaten in hot company last time out at Cork, but he can bounce back in the concluding heat for Maurice O’Connor and the R-K-M Syndicate. The son of McInerney and Ballymac Ariel is a member of a top litter and, while still seeking a first victory after four starts, a bold bid is expected from trap three.

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