DIAMOND SHINES IN 1XBET IRISH ST. LEGER CURTAIN RAISER

Peter Farrell

The opening-round heats of the 1xBet Irish St. Leger 550 dominated proceedings at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Halloween night and there were plenty of treats on offer, with leading trainers Liam Dowling and Paul Hennessy both recording doubles, while Graham Holland went one better with a treble across the eleven heats.

The eagerly anticipated clash between Ballymac Setanta and returning Derby champion Bockos Gold was the headline attraction in the concluding heat of the night and, while the former came out on top on this occasion, Bockos Gold lost little in defeat on his return. Elsewhere, it was Swords Diamond who set the standard with a terrific display to announce himself as a major contender, while there were also hugely impressive performances from the likes of Wi Can James, Lennies Dynamic, Slippery Felix and Roaming Shelby. All told, it was a superb opening to what promises to be a fiercely competitive Classic, with attention now turning to the second-round action in six days’ time.

HOLLAND SENDS OUT A TREBLE

Graham Holland is aiming to claim a fourth St. Leger title and he has a powerful hand in this year’s renewal, outlined by an opening round treble, spearheaded by the fastest winner on the night, Swords Diamond. Running in heat six, Solo And Go was the well-supported 11/8 favourite for this contest, however, after charging the traps, he was left playing catch-up from the outset in trap one. In contrast, Swords Diamond (11/4) made no such mistake from trap three as the Graham Holland-trained runner flew from boxes to open up a sizeable advantage around the opening bend. Although Solo And Go recovered well to give chase, the damage had been done early for the Barbara Lowndes runner as the strapping son of Swords Rex maintained a strong gallop throughout. Staying on powerfully in the closing stages, Swords Diamond crossed the line six and a half lengths clear of Solo And Go, who ran a fine race of his own in second. The time was a blistering 29.49.

The first of the Riverside winners came in heat five as Slippery Felix made virtually every yard to justify his 7/4 favouritism. Although only moderately away from trap one, the son of Dorotas Wildcat – Vigorous Orla quickly showcased his early speed and, with significant traffic on the outside, he took full advantage to open up a commanding lead down the back straight. Lennies Eddie emerged from the pack and was showing tremendous pace to rapidly reduce the deficit, however, he looked uncomfortable close home as Slippery Felix powered to a seven-length victory, stopping the clock in a swift 29.71.

The treble was completed in heat ten as Roaming Shelby produced one of the most impressive displays of the night, coming from off the pace to deny Getup The Boy. Drawn in trap three, the 9/4 chance, owned by Paul Ellis and Seamus Hagan, was quickest into stride, however, he surrendered the early lead as Getup The Boy showed tremendous track craft to sweep around the inside and open up a length advantage down the back straight. At this point, Mark Robinson’s charge looked to have done the hard work, but Roaming Shelby had other ideas as the son of Tommy Shelby – Roaming Shari rallied strongly in the closing stages. Finishing with a flourish, he reeled in Getup The Boy to claim a one-length victory in a rapid 29.70.

BALLYMAC DOUBLE

All eyes were on the concluding heat as Bockos Gold locked horns with Ballymac Setanta and it was the latter who came out on top, showcasing his terrific early speed to hold the Derby champion at bay throughout. Liam Dowling’s charge was an 11/10 chance in the market and the Cork track record holder had to work hard from the outset as Bockos Gold (1/1) was first to show from trap three. However, ‘Setanta’ held that all-important inside line and showcased his blistering early pace on the run to the bend, turning with a slender advantage over his formidable rival. It was nip and tuck down the back straight as patrons were treated to a terrific battle between two of the fastest greyhounds in the country, with Ballymac Setanta extending his advantage to a length approaching the penultimate bend. There was still plenty to play for on the demanding Limerick hill and Bockos Gold certainly began to close the gap as the winning line loomed. However, Ballymac Setanta wasn’t to be denied as the son of Ballymac Kingdom – Ballymac Art held firm to emerge a one-length winner in 29.73. While the clock may not have reflected the quality of the contest, it was a mouth-watering clash between two genuine Classic contenders and few would be surprised to see them renew acquaintances in the latter stages of the competition.

Prior to that, Ballymac Deniro fired an early warning shot with a masterclass in heat eight, running out a wide-margin winner to justify his 1/2 starting price. From a level start, ‘Deniro’ was challenged in the early exchanges by Lissatouk Sydney, however, he showed terrific determination to narrowly avoid traffic and sweep clear from six. In doing so, the son of Ballymac Finn – Ballymac Arminta opened up a sizeable advantage down the back straight and maintained a strong gallop thereafter. Never looking likely to be troubled, Ballymac Deniro powered to an eight-and-a-half-length victory over Droopys Winsome in second, stopping the clock in 29.78.

HENNESSY DOUBLE

Another handler to send out a double of winners was Paul Hennessy and it was Priceless Romeo (2/1)that got the ball rolling in heat two as he finished with a flourish to deny Ballyea Warrior. The latter was installed as the 13/8 favourite and, despite not breaking as fluently as he can from trap four, showcased his brilliant early speed to turn with a slender advantage over Priceless Romeo. Although Ballyea Warrior extended his lead at halfway, there was an air of inevitability about the outcome given the strong-running abilities of his pursuer. With the deficit steadily decreasing around the bottom two bends, Bryan and Kathleen Murphy’s son of Priceless Jet upped the ante in the closing stages, powering past Ballyea Warrior to claim a one-length victory in a rapid 29.68.

The double was secured in heat four as Lennies Dynamic (6/5) proved too hot to handle with another powerful display. It was Irish Derby finalist Hackney Dancer who took a flyer from trap four, holding a narrow advantage over the wide-running Lennies Dynamic around the opening bend. However, Lee Craze’s charge surged to the front midway down the back straight and swept around the penultimate bend to open up a length advantage over his rival. A stout stayer, Lennies Dynamic was never likely to be reeled in thereafter as the son of Dorotas Wildcat – Pennys Jetstream drew clear close home to cross the line a length and a half ahead of Hackney Dancer, who lost little in defeat in second. The time was a rapid 29.65.

HEAT WATCH

Heat 1 - Ballyhooly Bruno (5/1) is no stranger to competing at this level and his experience told in the curtain-raiser as the Tom O’Neill runner produced a powerful late surge to land the spoils. It was Daleroad Magic who was sent off as the 2/1 favourite and, despite a sluggish start, he showcased stunning early speed to take charge of proceedings. Opening up a three-length advantage at halfway, he looked the most likely winner, however, Ballyhooly Bruno was making rapid progress in behind. The son of Jacob Tashadelek – Foyle Lucy produced his customary power-packed finish to reel in the long-time leader, getting up late to claim a three-quarter-length victory in 29.94.

Heat 3 - There was another big-priced winner in heat three as Evan McAuliffe’s Drombeg King produced a fine display to register his seventh career success. Sent off at 6/1, he powered up the inside from traprise to overhaul Swords Style, who had been electric from traps to lead in the early exchanges. Once in front, the son of King Sheeran – Blastoff Kat set a strong gallop throughout and, although Ballymac Lix finished with a flourish, Drombeg King had just enough in reserve to repel the late challenge. Three-quarters of a length separated the pair at the line, with the winner stopping the clock in 30.04.

Heat 7 - Michael Hogan is certainly getting a fine tune from Grangeview Rocko and, having recently posted a rapid 29.34 for the 550-yard trip at HQ, he followed up with a terrific trap-to-line display in heat seven. Sent off at 5/1, ‘Rocko’ broke smartly from trap four and steered clear of the early traffic that hampered his nearest rival, Newinn Uganda. Taking full advantage, the son of Grangeview Ten – Grangeview Nifty opened up a commanding lead down the back straight and maintained a relentless gallop thereafter. Never looking likely to be caught, Grangeview Rocko powered to a five-length victory over Hackney Plan in second, stopping the clock in a swift 29.74.

Heat 9 - Wi Can James was one of the standout stars of this year’s Irish Derby and Lars and Anita Wicander’s tracker looks set for another big campaign in the St. Leger, judging by his impressive comeback performance in heat nine. Trained by Pat Guilfoyle, ‘James’ was installed as the 4/6 favourite from trap one and broke smartly, with only Romeo Alliance in his sights on the run-up. However, the son of Ballymac Cashout - Right Nicki quickly asserted along the inside and, despite an early bump, powered into a commanding four-length advantage down the back straight. Although Ballymac Gwennie caught the eye with a strong finish, Wi Can James was never seriously threatened as he crossed the line four lengths clear in a rapid 29.57. It was undoubtedly one of the performances of the night and, with this comeback run under his belt, expect the Guilfoyle star to improve further when lining out in the second round.