TIERMANA DREAM CAN COMPLETE CLEAN SWEEP IN TREATY CUP FINALE

Peter Farrell

Some of Ireland’s very best speedsters will take to traps tonight in a bid to land the €5,000 winner’s prize on offer in the 2026 West Limerick Treaty Cup Open 350.

Stonepark Browne was an emphatic winner of this event in 2025 and returns bidding to retain his crown. However, without a win to his name in this year’s competition, he will need to be at his very best to defend his title, with Tiermana Dream set to go off a deserving favourite for the decider.

The latter, trained by Colm Fitzgerald for the Zero-Zero Syndicate, has produced sensational form around the Dock Road circuit and bids to complete a clean sweep after posting 18.55 and 18.31 victories in the opening rounds. Tiermana Dream has rediscovered his very best in recent weeks and has shown a clear affinity for Limerick. Strengthening his claims further, the son of Ballyhimikin Jet and Tiermana Jetty is again housed in the orange jacket, immediately outside Portrush Ben, who is likely to edge towards the rails in the opening strides. That should afford Fitzgerald’s charge a clear passage to the bend, where he can look to produce another masterclass for connections.

BROWNE REMAINS A THREAT

Stonepark Browne remains the chief threat despite failing to get his head in front in recent weeks. The Michael O'Donovan-trained black, owned by Michael Sean O'Dwyer, hasn't been breaking with his usual fluency, but it would be foolish to dismiss the track record holder over this distance. Expect a sharper showing from the son of Malachi tonight, although he will need to improve markedly at traprise if he is to clear Portrush Ben on his outside.

BEN BIDS TO OVERCOME TRICKY DRAW

The aforementioned Portrush Ben is himself among the finest two-bend performers in training but has been unfortunate with the draw. Despite boasting 13 career victories, he is yet to win from the black jacket, and the Pat Kiely-trained runner will need another lightning break if he is to replicate his semi-final success.

LIVELY OUTSIDERS

Tiermana Hunter is the second of the Colm Fitzgerald-trained pair and consistency has been the hallmark of the classy brindle. Perhaps more effective over four bends, he has shown admirable versatility throughout this competition and pushed Portrush Ben all the way in the semi-finals. Drawn in trap one, the litter brother of Tiermana Dream has solid claims of making the frame, although he may find one or two too sharp in the early exchanges. Tally Ho Rose completes the line-up in trap two for the Walls-Of-Tally-Ho-Syndicate. The Wall Family will be delighted with how their bitch has campaigned throughout the event and she is thoroughly deserving of her place in the final. Like Tiermana Hunter, she may be better suited by a four-bend trip, but it would be unwise to underestimate the daughter of Ballymac Cashout. That said, she faces a stiff assignment against such a high-class field and a victory would come as a surprise.

***Note - Moybella Bigboy has been declared a non-runner in the final and that trap will be vacant.