PAUL MCKENNA MEMORIAL GETS UNDERWAY AT GALWAY

Peter Farrell

The first-round heats of the €1,700-to-the-winner Paul McKenna Memorial A5/A6 525 get underway at Galway Greyhound Stadium tonight, and if previous editions are any guide, a series of fast performances can be expected in the weeks ahead.

Kindly sponsored by Vincent McKenna, the opening heat may see the Donal and Pat Guilfoyle-owned Magical Be Nifty installed as favourite. There is a sense that she is better than her current grade suggests, given the strength of the kennel, and with just two starts to date, further improvement appears likely.

Grangeview Icon is a leading contender in the second heat as she attempts to double her career tally. Owned by Michael Hogan, the daughter of Kilara Icon has been finishing her races strongly in recent outings and, while the trip may be slightly on the sharp side, she has the ability to make her presence felt in this company.

In the third heat, Flyers Penney, trained by Colm Fitzgerald, has already won four of her five starts and looks poised to enhance that record. The daughter of Signet Ace has been particularly impressive over the sprint distance and, drawn in red, is well positioned to take advantage. Ballygibbon Fury, who clocked 29.36 on debut at Limerick, rates as the principal danger for John O’Meara.

The concluding heat could provide Alison Coxon with a winner in the shape of Hollywell Spider. The son of Ballymac Bolger is still seeking a first career success but showed promise when finishing behind Annadown Elliot last time out, and this represents a more manageable opportunity. Gortkelly Leo, trained by Andrew Murray, is another to consider from trap six.