ADAMANT APPROACH DOMINATES IN DONAL SCANLON SEMIS
Peter Farrell
The semi finals of the Donal Scanlon Memorial A2 525 featured on a twelve-race card at Limerick Greyhound Stadium last night and it was local runner, Adamant Approach, who set a blistering standard with a fantastic 28.58 victory.
Trained by John Rainsford for the Any-Sport-Will-Do Syndicate, Adamant Approach landed his opening round assignment in 29.05 but he was to rediscover his very best form last night in posting a blistering effort for his local handler. A 3/1 shot at the off, early pace was to tell the tale as Adamant Approach was bullet-like from trap three to catapult into a two length advantage early on. From here, the son of Pat C Sabbath and Adamant Gem set a serious gallop down the far side as in truth, the only race thereafter was of those hoping to secure qualification in behind. Maintaining a ferocious gallop all the way to the winning line, Adamant Approach crossed with four and a half lengths to spare over Kilcolgan Chief, who finished well, to grab second. The time was a sizzling 28.58 and he heads into the decider as the one to beat in six days time.
FRED KEEPS THE FAITH
Ballygur Anne was a brilliant winner of her opening round heat but there was to be a shock on the cards as the even money favourite was turned over at the expense of Faithful Fred.
Another eye-catcher from last week, Faithful Fred, owned by Finola Richardson, came into the race as a 6/4 chance and he fluffed his lines early on from trap four to trail the field into the opening corner. At this point, Airfield Cookie held the initiative, however, Faithful Fred nipped up the inside to emerge a huge threat heading down the back. Forced to check, Airfield Cookie dropped into the pack and this allowed Faithful Fred and Tally Ho Tyson to lock horns midway down the back in their quest for supremacy. The former, however, was to come out on top on this occasion and he stayed on stoutly in the closing stages to gallop to a one and a half length victory over Tally Ho Tyson in second. The time was 28.81.
IN OTHER RACES
Elsewhere on the card there were a number of polished performances and in race two, Lissatouk Ben (Holdem Spy - Lissatouk Dolly) produced a powerful finish to win over the extended 575-yard trip. A 7/2 shot at the off, the Donal Duggan-trained runner took charge at the penultimate bend and from here, he stormed to a six length victory for his owner Timothy Keane. A fine performance from the September 17’ whelp, the time for Lissatouk Ben was a fast 31.53.
Confused Fitzy is as game as a pheasant and he notched his fifteenth career win in a four-dog contest in race five. Owned by Gerry Manley, the son of Confident Rankin and Confused Breda was sent to traps the 1/2 jolly and despite being led in the early exchanges by Ballygibba Moat, the top sprinter soon asserted on the run to the opening corner. From here, it was all one-way traffic for Confused Fitzy as he stayed on well to romp to a four and a half length victory. The time was a brisk 18.77.
The Matchbook Betting Exchange Irish St. Leger for 2022 is fast approaching at Limerick and we got a glimpse of what to expect in race eight as Oakfront Cadet landed an AAO/AO 525. Jointly owned by Christopher and John Morrissey, Oakfront Cadet has found life difficult in recent weeks but he to end his winless run in brilliant style, reeling in the longtime leader, Cheekly Lily. A 4/1 chance at the off, Oakfront Cadet didn’t come away too fluently from trap six and he was further impeded at the opening corner which left him with plenty on his plate thereafter. However, this strong running son of Belles Direction and Ferryforth Belle made swift progress from the penultimate bend home and he duly stormed around the outside of runners to cross the line with a half length to spare over Cheeky Lilly in second. The time was a fast 28.67.