LIMERICK SUNDAY CARD SERVES UP FESTIVE FEAST

Peter Farrell

Limerick Greyhound Stadium delivered an action-packed Sunday afternoon card featuring four sweepstake finals alongside several high-quality open contests.

The headline events were the Droopys Stud A2 525 and the Ballymac Kennels AO 525, with the former decided first. Ballinveala Bolt justified his 4/5 favouritism with a commanding display in the €2,000-to-the-winner final. Trained by Dan Brassil for Vincent Purtill, the rejuvenated ‘Bolt’ made it three straight victories as he broke smartly from trap two before tucking in behind early leader Snuggie Battie. Joining the pace-setter midway, he swept to the front and quickly put the race to bed, eventually stretching four lengths clear in a sharp 28.40, a fitting result for a stake generously sponsored by the Dunphy’s of Portlaw.

IROKO A SERIOUS PROSPECT

The Ballymac Kennels AO 525 final followed, and it was the sponsor who claimed the honours as Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Iroko produced a brilliant performance.

Sent off 4/6 after a sparkling 28.29 in the previous round, he overcame a sluggish start from trap six, improving rapidly to sit fourth at the opening bend. With Tiermana Hunter setting the tempo, Ballymac Iroko unleashed a devastating burst down the back, taking control before the final turn and powering home five and a half lengths clear in 28.41. On this evidence, the son of Ballymac Cooper looks a major player for top events in 2026.

GLENGAR LEAVES IT LATE IN PEPPERS BAR DECIDER

Race five hosted the Peppers Bar of Feakle A3 600 final, where Glengar Star delivered late for Pat and Emma Buckley to claim the €1,400 prize.

Kazankina dictated for much of the contest after breaking quickest, while 2/1 chance Glengar Star tracked closely but made limited inroads until the long run home. The daughter of Droopys Sydney and Singalong Sally finally hit top gear late, sweeping past the tiring leader to win by half a length in 33.00. Ballygibbon Lass grabbed second, just ahead of the brave Kazankina in third.

STRONG POPPET LANDS MACE SHANNON DECIDER

The final sweepstake of the afternoon, the Mace Shannon A1 Dual-Distance 550/600, went the way of the classy Magical Poppet.

Pat Guilfoyle’s charge, runner-up in the semis, clearly benefited from the extra yardage. Sent off 6/4 favourite, she broke moderately from trap five but used her early pace to secure a handy position behind Lauras Pick. Taking over down the back, she quickly turned the race into a formality, drawing five lengths clear in 32.91.

THIS APPROACH IMPRESSES

There were standout displays beyond the finals, none more so than in the Novice 525, where This Approach delivered a sensational performance.

Trained by Pat Buckley for Tom Quinn and Ned Morrissey, the October ’23 whelp went off at 1/2 after a superb 28.17 qualifying run. Wearing red, he showed blistering early speed to shrug off Bogger Chuck entering the back straight, then powered clear to win by ten and a half lengths in a brilliant 28.22, the fastest time of the night.

RECORD-BREAKING DISPLAY FROM KILLACOLLA HILL

The seldom-used 800-yard trip produced one of the afternoon’s highlights as Killacolla Hill landed the Joe & Mary Flynn Rallying Kennels Memorial Open 800 with a record-breaking run.

Even-money favourite Singalong Polly set a fierce pace and looked poised to make all, holding a six-length advantage after a rapid 28.47 standard split. But Killacolla Hill, a daughter of Malachi and Hillview Queen, began to cut into the lead around the final bends. Finishing powerfully, she reeled in the leader to win by three-quarters of a length in 44.53, one spot better than the previous track record. A tilt at the Shelbourne Marathon now looks a realistic next step for the promising September ’23 whelp.

TIERMANA DREAM LANDS OPEN SPRINT

Tiermana Dream made it four straight wins when landing the Patrick Walsh Airfield Kennels Memorial Sprint in race four for Colm Fitzgerald and the Zero-Zero-Syndicate.

A 6/4 shot behind even-money favourite Jaykay Fly, Tiermana Dream exploded from trap two, before excelling the early exchanges to open a decisive early advantage. Despite pressure from Ballymac Riddick, the son of Ballyhimikin Jet held on strongly to score by a length in 18.65.

DONALD MAKES ALL

The final open of the afternoon saw Whizzing Donald spring a notable 7/1 surprise in the Limerick Track Bookmakers Open 525.

Adam Hogg’s runner broke brilliantly from trap two and held off the persistent challenge of hot favourite Ballymac Brandan down the back. Refusing to yield, he pulled clear again on the run home to win by two lengths in 28.51.