Saturday March 23rd
The ball is in and the game is on! We had three competitive and very entertaining heats to begin the 2019 Con & Annie Kirby on Thursday night and they have served as a tasty appetiser for what lies ahead. We will dissect those results in due course along with the rest of the first round action (probably Monday with a busy weekend ahead, Saturday racing and awards on Sunday) before getting to work on the always popular split-time analysis.
See you all, hopefully in a packed Limerick Greyhound Stadium, on Saturday evening! #Kirby2019
Saturday heat guide below and the opening round race card preview can be viewed HERE
HEAT 4
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Cracking career start in hot ECY unraced 3rd.
Confirmed staying abilities latest, respect!
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Novice stake winner CML back from break after smart SPK form,
player if return sharp.
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Brilliant winner of TRL Juvenile & looks sure to
appreciate LMK, leading Kirby fancy.
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Quality career start at TRL before top class SPK form last
few. Fly from halfway, player!
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Caught the eye on debut here & confirmed promise hot SPK
runs. Ignore latest, chance!
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Unbeaten through unraced stake here & retains scope to
progress further, must respect!
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No such thing as a warm-up, we’re straight into intense
Kirby action here in a stacked heat. I actually paused and thought, if I was
responsible for one of these runners, I’d be likely to string-up Hammy Dawson
who pulled these out together at the draw. Vicious doesn’t come near describing
this as a first round clash and qualifying connections will have come through a
real banana skin, whoever they happen to be.
It’s a no bet for me to start the Saturday action as so many
are strong runners that predicting a clear run to halfway is very difficult.
However, we’ll plump for Juvenile Classic champ Toolmaker Daddy. Robert Gleeson
had a real live fancy here and he was impressively progressive at Tralee. His
strong running style can suit Limerick in the context of a five round competition,
but, you could apply that assertion to some of his rivals also.
To his immediate right, Ballymac Tas will likely want
further in time but she has been so good of late at Shelbourne, she looks a
runner that will be tough to keep out of the places. More an each-way punt in
the outright market rather than delivering each week in the heats, this
particular heat houses somewhat similar types and she could possibly stay in
range early on, not ruled out!
Winetavern Don and Milking It also fall into the strong
runner category and breaking will be key here to get a run ahead of similar
types, which does include our latest Unraced Stake winner Alien Sea. The
figures in his career start may suggest early dash and while he is not wanting
for much in that department, I suspect that we will be more a strong runner as
he develops in the top grade.
If one was to get loose here and dictate, the obvious choice
would be Riverside Larry who was ultra-impressive in his novice stake win at
Clonmel in October and backed it up with smart efforts at Shelbourne. He needs
to present fit following a layoff but that will hardly be a concern coming
out of the Graham Holland kennels. 3-2-4
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Dam had 2 finalists in 2018 Kirby. Back from UK with smart
trial latest, entitled to talent!
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No joy in TRL Juvenile final but a real prospect on prior
heat form, big player if trap here.
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Rapid progress in graded event latest. Penny may have dropped
at traps, more to come.
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Smart progress while climbing grades in pleasing career
start. Must trap again, respect.
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Strong runner continues to progress & latest was very
impressive, power from halfway.
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Game progress through grades in smart career start. Must trap
here but can figure if so.
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A couple of runners stand out on form here and the vote goes
to Cuore Di Ferro who could well be high in the ranking from a strong Liam
Dowling challenge. This commentator took a real shine to this fellow at Tralee
and although he failed to convert in the Juvenile final, he showed proper pace
on his way to the final and with an adept break, I’d fancy that he can command
the inside to the bend to set up a winning chance.
The obvious threat is Graham Holland’s Fantasy Ben and you
just have to be impressed with his steady progression which brought two rock
solid efforts in top grade company the last twice. A strong runner, anything
approaching a clear path at the opening bends makes him a big threat to the
selection.
The fly in the ointment here of course is the unexposed
Toolmaker Josie on the inside. Probably ideally housed, his astounding dam
Lemon Bolt was responsible for a brace of finalists in this event last year
(Blue East & Lemon Shane) and literally, he could be anything. An
intriguing heat where the graded form of the remainder must not be overlooked
too hastily as all are on an upward curve. 2-5-1
HEAT 6
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Not seen since Comerford Cakes final but ideally drawn for
return if sharp now, claims.
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In the wars last time but progressive prior & slick early
pacer can hold real claim if trap.
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Progressed to smart debut win last time & retains scope
to improve further if well away.
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Quality career start in CML novice & returns from UK
having progressed again, chance!
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Smart career start in WFD novice & solid efforts here
last twice. Claims if lead outside.
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Got no run after poor start here latest. Strong stayer was
progressive prior, respected.
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A trappy heat and hard to evaluate where each of the runners
are at in terms of a first round heat but a chance is taken on Toolmaker Me Dad
who ran with great credit on his way to a close up third in the Rural Hawaii
Unraced at Clonmel. A brace of wins in the UK since have probably seen him
progress so having liked him very much when I last saw him live, I expect to be
impressed again on Saturday.
Skywalker Jorge is probably a bit far out for comfort here but
although he hasn’t busted any clocks yet, he has been solid at Limerick the
last twice and should not be troubled by Hillview Paddy on the run to the first bend.
He has the early pace to be front rank before turning and should be in the
frame I’d suggest. Paddy himself left his chance in traps here last week but
was highly progressive prior and if bouncing back, the strong stayer would
frighten all from halfway if close up.
It could get tight on the inside but Smart Bolt clearly has
claims to lead and probably will need to in win terms so with the aid of the
rails, Herecomesthehoney is taken to sneak a run for qualification terms at the
minimum. 4-5-1
HEAT 7
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Still unbeaten & appears ideally drawn to defend rails on
run to bend, bold bid expected.
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Failed to spark in first defeat last time but smart career
start, can figure if bounce back.
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Solid latest after slick graded win. Open to progress again
if well away, can’t rule out.
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Held in novice final latest but brilliant debut here is hard
to ignore & looks a prospect!
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Solid career start & a touch unlucky here last time. Must
trap this draw but respected.
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Held on rise last twice after smart graded win & must
return to best break in tricky draw.
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The obvious starting point here is the brilliant Limerick
debut of Cabra Firmino and he earns the selection. Yes, you could be harsh and
say that he probably should have been able to get the job done in his Unraced
stake final last time but from high achieving connections and bloodlines, the
experience should stand to a runner that could easily be a major Kirby
contender.
2017 winning owner Bev Lockhead combines with Limerick
stalwart Pa Sheehy and they have another live contender in Rattling Conor who
has made a cracking career start while unbeaten in three races at Tralee. He
looks ideally drawn on the fence and is the obvious threat to the selection;
and is likely no stranger to the circuit despite not having raced at Limerick.
Droopys Bee looked unlucky when contesting the lead in a
Limerick Trial Stake last time and may have claims for a run, and safer passage
this time, on the outside of Firmino if both break adeptly and he has shown
enough in his career start to be considered here while the places can be
complicated by Madams Rascal should the strapping individual repeat his best
break. A member of a promising litter, he has hinted at more than just what a
sole A4 win would suggest and merits plenty of respect in qualification terms
at the very least. 4-1-5
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Held in novice final last time but any progress from smart
debut win would bring claims.
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Consistent in pleasing career start. Takes a step up but
sharp type merits much respect.
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Steady progress before quality return here latest &
repeat would bring obvious chance.
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Took time to register win despite smart early career efforts.
Break crucial, player if trap.
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Solid on return from layoff latest in LFD Trial Stake win.
Strong runner, claim if close up.
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Finding traffic in latest outings & must trap for a run
but best LMK run says chance if so.
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This really does look to be wide open and there is no trio
combination that I would scoff at here with plenty of imponderables. I don’t
like doing these early previews, especially in an event like the Kirby, while
applying gut feelings or bias and prefer to stick to established form-lines but
this heat is open enough to take a bit of a flyer, I think.
The latest lines of form shouldn’t see Boherna King too
skimpy on the bookies boards and he could represent value. He claimed a warm
12-runner novice stake to begin his career here at Limerick and had been on my
radar even before that. It might not look it from his figures, but he can rush
quite well to the corner and is well drawn in the context of this race.
I
believe there’s plenty more to come from him and hailing from the Noel Hehir
kennels, whose numbers may be few but are impressive in majors, he could be ready to step up
given his handler’s impressive record in big events at this venue in
particular.
A further aid to the selection’s cause could be Killaheen
Queen for the while she is making a tough graduation to Open class now, she is
a sharp girl with smart early dash who could seriously complicate matters for
the runners on each side. There was plenty to like about Laughil Josh on debut
here at Limerick and clearly he could step up markedly, just like Grangeview
West did in her latest quality graded win.
Robbies Papadum has been on the quiet side since his career
best over 550 yards at Shelbourne last backend but returned with a facile Trial
Stake win at Lifford and is another who could be primed for significant
progress. His is a tricky draw but strength from halfway can bring obvious
qualification claims in a wide open affair where a smart exit from Freedom
Tobago could see him overcome what does look a poor draw in context. 6-5-3
HEAT 9
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Hugely progressive in career start & early pacer ideally
drawn for bold bid if defend rail.
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Unbeaten in smart novice stake TRL. Entitled to have
progressed again since, chance!
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No disgrace in latest defeat on return after slick graded
win. Entitled to feature highly.
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Smart progression to quality A3 win latest. Strong runner may
find more if well away.
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Quality efforts to begin career at ECY. Improved in latest
SPK 1st, looks primed to figure.
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Missed break latest but a big prospect on flying WFD debut
& likely laid out for Kirby?!
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There is an obvious starting point here and although he has
not raced since early November, the latest sprint trial of Ballydoyle Valor
gives confidence that he could be ready to build on the stunning debut victory
when he posted 28.21 at WFD.
It’s easy enough to forgive his defeat at Shelbourne
following a tardy start and he could be a real outright contender if developing
a racing consistency in this event. In shrewd hands, you simply must stay on
the right side of Pio Barry’s charge until we see more.
There is some smart opposition however and even though
Restless Night is the only runner here without an Open time registered yet, she
is unbeaten in three with imminent progression to come I’d suggest.
Everything has been moving in the right direction with
Manuka Man and his smart ECY career start was confirmed in his latest
Shelbourne win. Another returning from a break, his latest NBW trial reads very
well indeed. In an open enough contest as regards qualification, I’ll suggest
the latter to advance along with the selection and Boynepark Woods who brings a
nice profile, his early pace can ensure safe passage on the rails. 6-5-1
HEAT 10
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Smart debut win in warm novice at CML & open to plenty
progression in likely ideal T1.
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Held latest but very smart career start here, confirmed at
TRL & big player here if trap.
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Returning from long layoff but smart debut winner is open to
big progress, respected.
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Held the last few but progressive prior & can figure if
return to best break, trio claim.
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Could hardly have been more impressive in CML novice win.
Likely outright contender.
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Solid career start CRK before slick graded win on LMK debut
latest, likely more to come.
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Another warm heat and Tree Top Danny will have plenty of followers ahead of his Kirby challenge having been near flawless in his warm
novice stake win at CML. Early pace to burn, he is very difficult to oppose as
the most likely leader here and another outright fancy for the Graham Holland
Kennels, he gets the vote.
He’ll have to be smart at traps again though as there is
viable opposition even without any misstep and despite the latest mishap of
Glengar Mac, there has been much to enthuse about in his career start. He may not
be at the head of the Buckley challenge yet but a pleasing career start here
was confirmed at Tralee and if controlling the inside on the run to the bend he
could make this a very interesting watch indeed.
With family members who have relished this venue in the
past, Antigua Rum found further improvement here last time and although that
was in graded company, this strong runner looks every bit the improver and
could be ideally drawn to track Danny to the back-straight, he must be
respected. The lightly raced Getting Up and Toast Of Cabra are clearly open to
improvement while a return to her best form would also give Sparta Emmy claims
of qualification. 5-2-6
HEAT 11
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Penny firmly dropped with improved start for career best
latest & ideal draw to contest.
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Better than bare figures with pace after slow starts in
Juvenile. Strong runner with claim.
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Exited hot ECY novice at S/F after smart heat wins, found
best clock latest, more likely!
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Just a sole win but with plenty of merit in progressive
career start, claims if well away.
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Brilliant campaign to run-up TRL Juvenile. Pace at all points
& looks a Kirby contender.
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Below best of late but best is very good & if revived
now, strong runner will have a say!
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This could turn out quite competitive, or, Ballymac Syd
could prove to be right at the top of the Liam Dowling Kirby challenge if he
can progress from what was a brilliant campaign in the Juvenile at Tralee.
Syd displayed everything you could wish to see in a future
star when runner-up in that hot event. A dash of early pace, battling qualities
and the ability to fully see out the 525 yards at pace. He already looks big
candidate for 550 yard classics later in the season but for now, this pundit has
him right at the top of what is admittedly, quite a long shortlist.
He gets the vote here over another Juvenile graduate and as
the race card comment intimates, Toolmaker Gringo was better than his placings
would suggest at Tralee. A strong runner, you would expect that he can only
improve on the early part of his races given more experience and he could be a
bit of sleeper amidst the strong Robert Gleeson team.
I’ve plumped for my mate Redzer Ardfert to qualify along
with that pair but I think even Brendan Maunsell will admit that he just simply
has to be sharper and tactically more aware of his positioning to secure the
clear runs that have proven elusive of late. However, if he was to recapture
the form that saw him skip around Tralee in 28.07, he would throw a big spanner
in the Kirby works. I’ll stick with these three but the remainder all have
plenty to recommend in short career starts and appear entirely capable of
complicating my trio. 5-2-6
HEAT 12
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Without a win but progressive & latest good 2nd
is encouraging. Well drawn, can contest.
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Very smart WFD novice stake win & progressed for LMK
debut in slick win latest, player.
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Took a fall in Juvenile final latest but classy career start
at TRL, looks leading contender.
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Hot A1 stake win CML before impressing in Trial Stake win
here. Big claim if lead again.
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Smart performances in all age company TRL & likely to
progress for latest LMK debut.
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Potential star in the making. Returned with slick effort at
WFD latest, an outright fancy!
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Another one where you’d be looking to make a roast out of
Hammy Dawson if you were drawn in this heat and you wouldn’t get the oven as
hot as this first round clash!
There is at least four runners here who would be arriving
with aspirations of very deep runs and something will simply have to give.
However, the vote for victory goes to Philip Gough’s Spoofer who looked every
inch a superstar when scorching to 28.09 in his unraced stake victory at
Waterford last October. Two bump affected defeats at Shelbourne flanked a smart
28.40 win there in December and likely prepared specifically for the Kirby, he
returned with a very pleasing Trial Stake success at Waterford last time. No
reason to believe that he won’t get back to the form of his unraced win and he
must be a big Kirby hope despite a concerning draw to start.
He’s not the only one with draw worries here though and Pat
Buckley would like to see a clear run for Burgess Bucks after his unfortunate
tumble in the Juvenile final last time. He has the early dash to secure the
clear run but the bother now is that the runners either side of him do too! I
really liked Bucks at Tralee though and am selecting him for one of the
qualifying places at least.
Four into three does not go however and even the two already
named are no certs to reach next weekend. Deadly Robin was hugely impressive in
Trial Stake victory here and it seems ludicrous to think that he could be in
trouble in the first round. He is getting my vote to advance however while
backing his early pace to secure safe passage.
So that leaves Grangeview Ten for my perceived big four in
the heat and I’ll confess that by leaving him out of my trio, sods law will
dictate that he qualifies as a local runner to me at home and as such, I will
be able to feature him in my completely locally biased Nenagh Guardian column.
The Michael Hogan runner has made a quality career start and quite possibly has
the draw to advance here on the inside of the big players. His Waterford
unraced stake win was rock solid and he progressed snuggly from his Limerick
debut to post a smart 28.62 last time.
Having said all that, I could be well off the mark by ruling
out Molinari and in particular Killahan Wonder. This is one of those heats
where you couldn’t really rule out any trio but mine will be 6-3-4.
HEAT 13
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Impressive winner of CML unraced, steadily progressive
lately. Plumb draw, big player!
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Got no run latest but hinting at real ability in prior CML
win & no shock if progress now.
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Novice stake winner KKY was far from disgraced on rise to
Open at THR. Can feature.
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Very progressive of late with smart graded win last time. No
surprise if find more here.
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Solid enough & caught the eye in LMK debut last week.
Lightly raced & better to come!
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Plenty to like with solid places on graduation to Open last
few. Ideal draw here, chance!
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This has a very open look to it and I’ve allowed the draw to
dictate my trio to a large extent but would probably have plumped for Skywalker
Wonder anyway. Very smart from Trap 1 at CML on Sunday, he was also in red for
his only Limerick start when a solid 2nd and the same view from the
boxes can have him comfortable before advancing what has already been a
pleasing career start.
Coming from different tracks, for the most part, and with
similar levels of form, the heat is difficult to decipher all round but
similarly well drawn to the selection, John Durrigan’s Dromrich Altair has been
very solid in open company of late and is taken to advance. While any of the
remainder could have claimed my third spot, it’s difficult to overlook the “wee
man” when he arrives for the Kirby and Brendan Matthews’s Newry Rose left a
pleasing impression last week and it would come as little surprise if she was
to step up markedly. 1-6-5
HEAT 14
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ECY Unraced & Comerford Cakes winner. M` seed removed
after latest bump, big player.
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Very smart career start & progressed again after layoff
latest. Clear claims if well away.
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Traffic last time but quality debut win in TRL Juvenile &
remains a real prospect, claims.
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Held last time but caught the eye in heats of the Juvenile.
Must trap this draw, respect.
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Looked a prospect when running-up warm CML novice. Strong
from halfway, chance!
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A host of strong form-lines in pleasing career start & a
player despite concerning draw.
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I very nearly gave up trying to figure this one out. All
entirely likeable youngsters and I know I said it about a few heats but this
really could be a case of just pick three random numbers for your trio. The
established competition form of the impressive Killer Bee has to swing it though.
I wouldn’t be hard on him for his latest defeat and he gets the job done more
often than not.
He did win from Trap 1 when claiming the Future Champion at
Enniscorthy but bore a middle seed when winning the Comerford Cakes. That
seeding has been removed again now so you just want to be wary of him possibly moving
off at the first bend as many newcomers to Limerick can. Still, if close up to
the back-straight, he will relish this circuit. It’s premature I know but he
already has the look of a real competition dog.
Having six inside seeds does complicate matters here but
I’ve gone with the strong staying Vigorous Luke to advance. There was so much
to like about his power and battling qualities when running-up a warm novice
stake at Clonmel and he is going to be difficult to keep out of the places in
any company.
I’ll stick in Lebudgiesmuggler for the trio and that was
mostly swung by a trial defeat of his kennelmate Jaytee Churchill who
neighbours him now, although Paul Hennessy will probably tell me that I’m wrong
come Saturday. Churchill was hugely impressive on debut in his Juvenile heat
win and could be anything yet.
Really, all runners have claims to qualify here and the
recent Limerick experience of Jurano Classic could prove vital yet. A tentative
1-5-2.
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Progressive in short career start with solid latest, can
figure if find further progression.
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Smart career start in warm Waterford unraced & solid
again last time. Entitled to figure.
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Lost out in CML novice final after slick heat wins &
flying around SPK of late, contender!
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Not disgraced on rise to top grade last twice after solid
career start, claims if well away.
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Smart progress in latest SPK win. Solid trial latest, strong
runner can threaten late on.
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Disappointed latest but debut win here remains appealing,
chance if back to that form.
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For many, the banker of the first round goes here in the
shape of Graham Holland’s Riverside Leo and I wouldn’t disagree with them. Favourite
for his hot Unraced final at CML, he had sparkled in the heats there and built
on that with sensational clocks in two recent victories at Shelbourne. An adept
break should suffice now for one of the most obvious leading Kirby fancies.
I would suggest that on all form, Eamon Doyle’s Monbeg
Bakayoko is the most plausible threat and having begun with some fine displays
in the All About Ya Unraced Stake at Waterford, he again ran with credit in
defeat at CML on Sunday last. He would need a smash break for victory but
should be in all trios.
It’s pretty much take your pick after that. Spotted Wonder
could easily find further progress while Cabra Nifty would hold claims if
bouncing back to build on his smart debut effort here but I’ll stick in Great
Eastern who should have a path cleared for him to the opening corners by the
favourite and a repeat of his Dundalk best could just see him through. 3-2-4
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Progressive with another solid effort latest.
Early pacer must defend rail, chance if so.
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Debut winner in Juvenile has shown pace in all
starts. Strong from 2nd bend if close up.
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Bump latest but solid career start at TRL &
leading claims here if lead T2 to first bend.
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Lightly raced after early career start but solid
when last seen, good trial latest, respect.
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Solid efforts of late at SPK & appears more
in tank if on the bunny early, will feature!
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Caught the eye in Juvenile heats despite no win.
Yet to find clear run, so more to come!
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Sure to be varying opinions on this heat and it is
definitely a difficult puzzle to solve. There is times watching El Favor when
you wonder if he’ll ever get a clear run as when he has been prominent early,
he gets shunted. What he has done in each outing however is, display pace, and,
I was very taken with him in his Juvenile heat win on debut.
He gets my vote
here and may benefit if the early paced Knight Prince gets it right to the bend
because you could see El Favor slip in behind before challenging down the back.
Whether I’m right or wrong, I’m certain he’ll show pace again and if he did
start to put everything together, could be a player in the Kirby.
You could throw that last comment at a couple of these and
Burgess Doc is in much the same bracket as the selection having exited the
Juvenile without a clear run. But, he showed enough pace behind an outright
fancy of mine that I simply have to respect his potential and I’m certain a big
run is imminent, I’m just not sure how soon….maybe here?!
I’ll throw Droopys Boss into my trio because his best
Shelbourne run would put him bang there although I could be missing a trick and
Knight Prince skips loose early with his early pace to make me look a mug. Any
way you look at it, it’s tricky. Best of luck! 2-6-5
Thursday March 21st
The extra entry for this year's Kirby adds some real spice to the regular Thursday SIS meeting on the Dock Road this week and although at the back-end of the card, no-one will be leaving early ahead of the opening three heats in the 2019 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial as there are some serious outright contenders amongst the 18 hopefuls who will open their campaigns ahead of Saturday's thirteen race Kirby programme.HEAT 1
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Without a win but laudable efforts in TRL Juvenile. Stays well, LMK can suit in ideal T1.
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Warm order for WFD unraced final when held but fast heat wins suggest big prospect.
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Very smart unraced stake winner WFD, back from layoff. Big scope to improve, market!
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Looked a prospect in UK career start. Any progress from latest trial can see bold show.
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A touch unlucky latest but prior NWB Bitch unraced heat win impressed, must respect.
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Smart career start & showed big pace in defeat latest. Will rush to bend if trap, chance!
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A cracking heat to open the 2019 Kirby and if able to recapture the smart trapping shown in his opening career victories, Paul Kiely's Sure Look Listen could easily have claims to dictate and prove difficult to reel-in if on the bunny.
The welcome UK challenge gets underway here with Paul Young's Droopys Mac and any progress from his latest trial will see him with claims despite a tricky looking draw on the inside of Droopys Sim, although both of these may be glad to be on the inside of Lenson Robin who certainly looked as though he wanted the outside when still running a touch green last time.
The latter possesses powerful pace however and when the penny fully drops, appears to have a big run to come. It would come as little shock should Ballintee Blaze build on his smart novice stake success if sharp after a layoff and he must command respect but for the winner, it may pay to side with last year's winning trainer. Droopys Danny has been showing plenty of pace off slow starts while reaching the Juvenile final at Tralee and a first time pitch on the rails may prove ideal to sneak a run at the opening bends here. 1-2-4
HEAT 2
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Out of luck latest but quality spin around TRL prior says big talent & T1 looks real plus!
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Solid career start in warm WFD novice & smart show again latest, more to come, respect!
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Ran a cracker with plenty traffic in Juvenile final latest. Strong runner if big player here.
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Highly progressive career start & in cracking form latest. Tough to repel if lead to bend.
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Quality career start in UK & powerful runner can relish LMK if step up on latest trial spin.
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Better than figures in LMK debut latest after smart CML career start. Can feature if trap.
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You just can't expect anything easy in the Kirby and finding winners in the opening heats is going to be trappy but it may pay to side with the extra experience and rock solid form that Tullig Footpad has posted in a very progressive career start. Beaten by a fellow Kirby contender at Shelbourne last time was no disgrace in a flying clock and if he can get loose on the run to the corner now, you would expect him to convert.
There is plenty to like about many of his rivals however and Ballymac Devon did leave the impression that he could be capable of big runs when third in the Tralee Juvenile. He may again have a job on to secure clear racing room but would be a big threat if he did see the hare throughout.
I didn't see Camps Star's trial on Saturday and would have expected a faster effort from the Paul Young star, so maybe there was something to explain the clock there but no doubt his career start in the UK makes him a very interesting Kirby contender and you would expect that his strong running style will suit Limerick well.
Jim Morrissey's Tiger Jack was another with excuses when eliminated from the Juvenile but his fast second round heat win there clearly hints at major ability and could well make use of his rails pitch if swift to stride. 4-3-5
HEAT 3
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Quality winner of WFD novice stake looks big prospect. Likely ideal draw for LMK debut.
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Unbeaten in 4 with smart Trial Stake win latest. Big early battle vs T1, chance if win that.
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Rapid progress to slick novice final win latest. Makes quick switch for Kirby, respected.
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Held but far from disgraced latest & any progress from SPK best would bring claim now.
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Improved for return from layoff in slick Trial Stake win. Powerful & hard to repel if trap.
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Cracking strike-rate in quality UK career start & looks sure to feature from perfect draw.
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Another quality heat that should attract many to the Dock Road for an out of the ordinary Thursday meeting and the natural starting point is the fastest Limerick Trial Stake winner Hero To Zero. The Pat Curtin youngster was superb here when posting 28.39, almost three weeks ago and earns the vote.
He may however have to sweat for an early run for while the venue will certainly suit his strong running style in the overall Kirby picture, he is likely to be doing his best work from the second bend so investment at short odds for heat wins should be approached with caution. Still, he would be a runner for an outright flutter as I expect him to prove difficult to keep out of the places.
Peter Cronin's recent Waterford novice stake winner Worseforwear is an obvious threat and probably has his ideal draw on the fence. A bold show is expected and he rates the main threat but he will have to be sharp for although Claregalway Lad has not yet broken the clock, he screams imminent improvement as a member of a smart litter and possesses slick early dash which gives him claims to possibly lead in what may be a tight tussle on the inside.
Following a string of top class displays for Kevin Hutton in the UK, most particularly at Romford, Argentina returns home for a plausible tilt at the Kirby under the guidance of Martin Lanney. Ideally drawn, he looks a natural wide seed (as last year's winner was) and his smart early dash could well see him lead the likely favourite on the outside. Another serious contender in a hot heat where the rapidly improving Food To Go must too merit respect despite a very tricky looking draw. 5-1-6
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