TIME CLUB DERBY KICKS OFF WITH PERFECT PERFORMANCE FROM AIR HOSTESS

Peter Farrell

TIME Greyhound Nutrition continue to show their commitment to Irish greyhound racing, with the 2026 renewal of the TIME Club A4 Graders Derby getting underway at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Friday night.

The opening session of a bumper first round saw twelve heats contested, with the action set to continue tonight at the Dock Road venue.

Among the standout performers were Highview Speck, Razldazl Tully and Barranca, all of whom produced exceptional displays. However, having broken the 28.90 elimination barrier, the trio will take no further part in the Derby. Despite that disappointment, connections will undoubtedly be encouraged by their performances.

Of those progressing, Air Hostess posted the fastest qualifying time of 28.91, while Bounceback Poppy, Grangeview Hogan and Coolanga Elite also impressed with polished victories.

HEAT WATCH

Heat 1 – The opening heat saw Ashmore Nedshow best early from trap four, though he was quickly challenged by even-money favourite Magical Fiona approaching the opening bend. Taking command entering the back straight, Patrick Guilfoyle’s charge looked in control before Kosova closed rapidly in the closing stages. However, the daughter of Ballymac Cashout and Right Nicki held on gamely to score by a head in 29.42. Ashmore Ned took third.

Heat 2 – Michael Hogan’s Grangeview Hogan (5/2) built on a promising 29.22 qualifying effort around Kilkenny by shedding his maiden tag in style. Slow enough into stride, the son of Grangeview Ten and Grangeview Nifty found himself fourth early as Imagine If dictated matters from trap one. However, ‘Hogan’ began to assert midway down the back straight and took control approaching the third bend. Staying on strongly, he crossed the line a length and a half clear of Imagine If, with Folkscourt Best securing the final qualifying position. The winning time was 29.04.

Heat 3 – Highview Speck became the first runner to dip below the 28.90 threshold, clocking a rapid 28.82 for the V-H-R Syndicate and trainer Paraic Campion. The 2/1 chance, who had hinted at his ability when posting 29.01 on debut, broke smartly from trap three and made every yard. He finished a length and a half ahead of Memories Lineout, with Zaconey Adonis third. Eliminated – Highview Speck; promoted – Ballinabola Suki.

Heat 4 – Bounceback Poppy finally converted promise into victory, producing a powerful display to break her maiden tag. Owned by Anthony Kehoe and William Byrne, the 6/4 favourite faced a challenging early position from trap four but surged through on the inside at halfway. The daughter of Droopys Jet and Magical Poppy showed impressive stamina thereafter, pulling clear to score by three and a half lengths from the eye-catching Bobsleigh Bale. Story Box finished third in a time of 29.15.

Heat 5 – Gerard Gubbins and Paraic Campion opened their account in the Derby as Hollyhill Stacey justified 6/4 favouritism. Racing from trap five, ‘Stacey’ quickly established a narrow advantage over Ballysloe Tash at the opening bend before stretching clear down the back straight. The daughter of Serene Ace and Hollyhill Cassie crossed the line two lengths clear of the fast-finishing Cabriol Carol, while Ballysloe Tash claimed the final qualifying place. The time was 29.53.

Heat 6 – Strong finishing proved decisive once again as Coolanga Elite emerged best in the sixth heat. Michael Lowry’s charge was slow to hit top gear and found himself seven lengths adrift at one stage. However, the son of Airmount Nando and Coolanga Lady steadily reeled in the leaders and produced a determined late challenge. He collared Hollyhill Cody close home to score by a length in 29.08, with Siennas Local safely through in third.

Heat 7 – The seventh contest produced a dead-heat finish, with Rossa Shelby and Au Revoir impossible to separate at the line. Lakeside Albert had shown tremendous early pace from trap six to lead, but Rossa Shelby (2/1), owned by Thomas O’Donovan, took charge around the final two bends. Au Revoir (3/1), trained by Jamie Horgan, then unleashed a powerful late burst to join her rival right on the line. The pair shared victory in 29.52, while Lakeside Albert had to settle for third.

Heat 8 – Bettyville Pippa knows how to win and she added to her impressive winning record, recording an eighth career success with a strong finish. The John O’Shaughnessy-owned runner looked to have plenty to do as last year’s winner Maid Of Iron set the pace for Neily Jones. However, Maid Of Iron began to tire inside the final 50 yards and Bettyville Pippa (5/2), a daughter of Grangeview Ten and Battyville Nieve, swept through to score by a length. Taylor Gift was a neck further back in third. The time was 29.48.

Heat 9 – Air Hostess produced the perfect performance in the ninth heat, stopping the clock in a rapid 28.91, one spot inside the time barrier. Returning for her first start since early March, Brian Loughnane’s charge showed no signs of rustiness. Breaking sharply from trap two, the daughter of Callaway Pro Am and Please Poppy quickly asserted and was never seriously threatened thereafter. She crossed the line two lengths clear of Hellroad Sleeper, with Knockbawn Lizzie taking third.

Heat 10 – Razldazl Tully became the second casualty of the 28.90 elimination rule despite a dominant success for Dolores Ruth. Sent off at even money, the son of Ballymac Best and Razldazl Mya quickly moved into contention after a bright start and breezed past Kitmans Peggy approaching the sprint boxes. From there, he was always in control, staying on strongly to score by four lengths from Carrigmore Hazel. Millies Story finished third. The time was 28.87. Eliminated – Razldazl Tully; promoted – Devilinadress.

Heat 11 – Cashen Darney gave Chris Houlihan and James Hannon a heat winner in the penultimate contest. The 7/2 chance broke sharply and quickly opened a commanding advantage, leading by seven lengths down the back straight. Although his stride began to shorten late on, the son of Newinn Taylor and Cashen Miska held on by a short-head from the fast-finishing Ealas Pride. Kilcash Bluegirl took third. The time was 29.35.

Heat 12 – The final heat saw Barranca deliver one of the most impressive performances of the opening round, though she too fell foul of the elimination clause. Trained by Evan McAuliffe and owned by Kim Robertson, the 3/1 chance showed sharp early pace to force her way through on the inside and take command. Holding a comfortable lead throughout, the daughter of Deerjet Sydney and Ballinabola Ruby was never under serious pressure and powered home seven and a half lengths clear of Trumpers Snoop. Jaytee Dallas finished third. The time was 28.85. Eliminated – Barranca; promoted – Fat Freddie.