Q/Final Preview

2017 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial Puppy Stake……….The story so far!

With the luxury of a fourth qualifying place now gone, the pressure to perform in the second round heats of the 2017 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial Puppy Stake brought some fascinating tussles throughout last Saturday's action, not only at the front of affairs but in the battle for places among the quarter-finalists with some of the rounds most impressive displays actually coming in defeat. Only three runners will enter the last 24 with an unbeaten record to defend in the stake after some shock eliminations and last week's results bore a very different complexion from those of Round One as the eight heat winners came from eight different kennels.

Holland trains Lubhill Robbie

Setting the standard on the night and promoting himself to serious outright contention was Graham Holland's Lughill Robbie when impressively taking advantage of a much better draw to land the opener in dominant fashion. Breaking on terms from Trap 1, he again showed smart early pace when defending his inside pitch for a first bend lead before galloping powerfully with slick sectional times in his two length defeat of Boraslino who lost nothing in defeat here and should be labelled a real eye-catcher having been fourth off the second bend. Posting 28.56, the time would not be bettered thereafter.

Three remain unbeaten

The first runner to claim a double in the event was Peter Cronin's Cometwopass as the strapping 80lb early pacer again secured victory on the run to the bend despite only a moderate break from what proved an ideal Trap 1 berth in Heat 2. Hitting the front just before the bend, he would dominate thereafter in a smart 28.68 defeat of Coolavanny Pet. However, the latter left a lasting impression in this heat when overcoming a horrid draw in Trap 6.

In form Cronin trains Cometwopass

Next to claim a Kirby brace was the outright favourite Vancouver Shea when again forcing a Liam Dowling runner to settle for second place in Heat 4. Matching strides with Toocoolforschool on the run to the bend, the Fraser Black favourite was forced to cede a one length advantage entering the back-straight before settling down for a buckle to the line. Ranging alongside the leader at the closing bends, Vancouver Shea claimed a half length victory when just out-staying the game runner-up and though some may be underwhelmed by his 28.75 having gone faster in Round One, the Kirby favourite displayed a pleasing battling quality here which only adds to his overall credentials.

The trio of back to back winners was completed in Heat 5 when Bentekes Bocko again returned a powerful early paced display after a smart break from Trap 2. Leading to the bend, he again enjoyed a solo passage around Limerick when never seriously threatened in 28.75. Filling the places here were Clonbrien Hero who admirably overcame a treacherous draw in Trap 5 and Allen Tank who again showed powerful pace throughout after another tardy start.

Chimes warming to task

Yours truly with Leger runner-up Native Chimes

Defeated a week earlier, our Leger runner-up Native Chimes returned to winning ways in Heat 3 when showing definite signs that he may be approaching top form once again. Led in the early exchanges by the brilliant early paced Rathnasnare Champ, he would track the leader to the back-straight before eating into a near seven length deficit. Impressively drawing away from those behind while reducing the leader's margin to the closing bends, he just managed to wrestle the lead away from the Francie Murray charge close home for a neck verdict in 28.63.

Heat 6 was claimed by Magical Vinny as the inexperienced Pat Guilfoyle runner showed admirable battling qualities throughout. Smart early pace carried him to a narrow lead at the bend before Jaytee Barracuda rushed up on his outside to claim a one length back-straight advantage. The winner however got back up on his inside at the closing bends before out-staying his closest rival to the line while posting 28.97.

The bitches had been out of luck on the night until Heat 7 when Paula Heffernan's Higher Level used her plumb draw on the fence to claim a strong running victory in 28.81. Crucially defending her rails pitch amidst first bend bumping, she would assert from what had been a three way battle for the lead at the top of the back-straight before staying well in a three and a half length verdict over Drive On Tipp. The latter however was hugely impressive in defeat when bumped and crowded at the opening bends before gamely finding a way to qualify late on.

With just two bitches through to the quarter-finals on completion of Heat 7, the €5000 prize for the last bitch standing looked set to be a contest between Coolavanny Pet and Higher Level this weekend. However, the closing heat housed three smart ladies who defiantly reminded all that they retained designs on that extra incentive when shutting out the boys and claiming the tri-cast positions for themselves!

20/1 shot Society St Riddle led to the bend when showing exceptional early pace before the ideally drawn Shewhodareswins sneaked a run on the rails to claim second position at the top of the back-straight. This pair would contest the win ahead of a battle for third in which Frankies Lady ensured a shut-out of the boys by sweeping across Ballymac Laughil at the third turn. Up front, Shewhodareswins overhauled Society St Riddle when too strong in the home-straight for a two length verdict in 28.83.

Quarter-Finals

Fraser trains the favourite

Favourite Vancouver Shea and Toocoolforschool again clash in the opening heat after their thrilling buckle a week ago but a stacked draw sees a resurgent Native Chimes add further substance to the race where qualification will be at a premium. Drawn in Trap 6 as the sole seeded runner however, Shea appears the most likely to gain a clear run and is the percentage call. A battle for early supremacy on the inside will have huge influence on the places and an ideal draw on the fence makes Clonbrien Hero a serious contender who is not discounted lightly. Toocoolforschool has displayed slick early pace in the event and is taken to win that tussle to the bend on the inner and in doing so can likely ensure qualification while the raw speed of Native Chimes is taken to secure qualification in a heat where all runners merit respect. Heat details HERE

The obvious starting point in Heat 2 is the unbeaten Benetekes Bocko and his early pace can again prove the key factor in the race. Barring a crack break from the runners either side, he can dictate matters throughout. His rivals are strong running types in the main so a clear run behind the leader will be crucial for qualification and Borsalino who was hugely impressive in defeat last week is the most plausible alternative to the selection in his ideal Trap 1. Nitro Notorious and the well drawn Jaytee Barracuda may fight out the remaining qualification place. More HERE

Heat 3 sees last week’s fastest winner Lughill Robbie face a very different view from traps than when wearing red last time and from Trap 5, his quest for a double is complicated by the presence of fellow early pacer Rathnasnare Champ on his immediate inner. The latter is taken to lead and can make a bold bid to remain in front on last week’s evidence but having displayed brilliant battling qualities to reach this stage, Coolavanny Pet has been rewarded with a pleasing draw in Trap 2 and is given the vote for victory with a late surge at the closing bends. More HERE

Drive On Tipp is likely to start favourite with an ideal Trap 1 draw in the concluding heat and he warrants any and all support following an admirable battling display last time. However a chance is taken on the reliable early pace of Cometwopass who seeks a hat-trick after two dominant heat victories. Trap 2 suits the Cronin charge and if leading, may just fend off the favourite close home ahead of a big battle for the remaining qualifying position which may go to Higher Level with her strong staying ability in what appears a suitable draw. More HERE

Round One & Two Sectional time details HERE

Betting: 6/1 Vancouver Shea 7/1 Drive On Tipp, Native Chimes 9/1 Bentekes Bocko, Coolavanny Pet 14/1 Lughill Robbie, Cometwopass, Nitro Notorious 16/1 Frankies Lady, Borsalino, Allen Tank 20/1 Toocoolforschool, Higher Level, Clonbrien Hero 25/1 Rathnasare Champ, Hazel Mixture, Droopys Giroud, Jaytee Barracuda 40/1 Chawke It Down Magical Vinny, 50/1 Ivy Hill Blitz, 66/1 Society St Ridle, Its Rockin Jim, Shewhodareswins.

Five bitches remain in the event from an original 16 while the quarter-finals house four Middle seeds and Jaytee Barracuda is the solitary Wide seed remaining.