Rd 2 Heat by Heat

SATURDAY MARCH 18th

	ROUND 2 HEAT 1 LUGHILL ROBBIE                                             Pallasgreen Sarsfields Ladies Football Closely matched with T2 latest & former W seed can use early pace for bold bid if trap.
	ALLEN JUNIOR                                                                                     Camogue Rovers Pleasing LMK debut when ahead of T1 last week. Pace all round & scope to improve.
	CHAWKE IT DOWN                                                                                      Ballylanders Another solid effort latest despite bump & place claims at least again but draw tricky?!
	BORSALINO                                                                                  Castletown Ballyagran Back on song when made use of good draw in Rd1. Obvious claim again if secure a run.
	RACKETHALL JESS                                                                                             Galbally Hugely game bitch with wonderful career start. Stays strongly & expect big late thrust.
	MERCIFUL JOEY                                                                                              Ballybrown Battled well to qualify behind T5 lst week. Drawn for a run now, expect more if lead early.

GUIDE: The consequences of the draw and it's crucial influence on the outcome of the Kirby may be seen from the off in Round Two and Lughill Robbie is the choice here with the red jacket a huge plus in a tight heat. He ran extremely well last week when displaying smart early pace to secure a run when only moderately away from the coffin box and although he has borne a wide seed in the past he appears to run a straight line to the bend now. His early pace is taken to dictate matters on the inner and that may also help Allen Junior who was just in front of the selection last week. The latter remains open to plenty of improvement however and is clearly a plausible alternative.

Impressive on the fence last week, Borsalino will need to break well for a repeat victory now and being drawn outside the previously named duo is far from ideal. If not turning ahead of them, he will face a battle for qualification for the most likely greyhound in the heat to progress to the quarter-final is Rackethall Jess. It's hard to predict a path to victory for the bitch but she is so strong from halfway, you have to fancy that she will pick off enough runners late on to qualify. A wide open heat may come down to that plumb draw for Robbie on the rail while Merciful Joey too must be respected on the outer for the same reason and he can come away a lot better than he did last week.

	ROUND 2 HEAT 2 COMETWOPASS                                                                                     Gerald Griffins Hugely impressive last week after moderate start. Looks ideally drawn, expect bold bid.
	JAYTEE WARRIOR                                                                                           Fr Caseys Smart early pacer with solid Rd1 effort, big battle to bend with T1, must lead him for win.
	ELUSIVE HEIGHTS                                                                                             Mungret Only learning his trade but showed ample pace both runs. Sneak run behind early lead?
	IVY HILL BLITZ                                                                                                   Banogue Very decent 2nd last week despite poor start. Can trap better & stays well, will threaten!
	KNOCKFINISK GLEN                                                               Ballybricken Bohermore Solid 3rd despite crowding last week but must return to best trapping to secure run now.
	COOLAVANNY PET                                                                    Murroe Boher Camogie Brilliant in Rd1 with pace all round. Draw a big concern but battler may well overcome it!

GUIDE: Again the draw could be key here and the early pace shown by Cometwopass last week was hugely impressive when only moderately away. He needs to be sharp to repel Jaytee Warrior early on here but in punting terms, this heat should be a case of back the one dog or back nothing! Coolavanny Pet was fabulous last week when showing pace all round while battling for victory in a slick 28.51. If she was to pop out of Trap 6, then the heat would probably be settled at the bottom bends but this is her first time in the stripes and in punting terms, a watching brief is advised. Also, do not discount Ivy Hill Blitz who was tardy from traps last week and if the strong runner was to find himself within reasonable striking distance on the back-straight, he could certainly threaten in the home-straight but again, his draw is far from attractive.

	ROUND 2 HEAT 3 DROOPYS DRESDEN                                                                         Kilteely Dromkeen Better than bare figures in smart Irish debut last week & may have ideal draw, respected.
	NATIVE CHIMES                                                                                                   Killeedy Solid opening 2nd in Rd1, again showing pace all round. Drawn for a run, obvious player.
	RATHNASARE CHAMP                                 Feohanagh Castlemahon Ladies Football Displayed slick early pace last week & claims to lead again now but must stay stronger.
	HAWKS BAY                                                                                                                 Oola Solid effort to qualify last week despite bump but will need best break in tight draw now.
	HAZEL MIXTURE                                                                                   Dromin Athlacca Stayed on well last week & may benefit for that LMK debut. Stayer at trip, late trio claims.
	DROOPYS POGBA                                                                                        Garryspillane Smart early pacer was highly impressive in Rd1, likely to dominate on outer for bold bid.

GUIDE: Unlikely to win the heat having failed to stay when holding every chance last week, Rathnasnare Champ can hold the key to this race. His slick early pace is likely to lead on the inner which brings complications for both runners inside him. Dresden and Chimes would be closely matched to the bend in any case but now face the likely scenario where Champ flashes his tail in their face approaching the turn. Champ may lead again but won't stay there on last week's evidence so leaves the door wide open for the best drawn runner in Trap 6. Droopys Pogba could hardly have returned a more accomplished win last week and ideally housed to either lead or get first run at Champ, is the natural choice.

	ROUND 2 HEAT 4 KERRYDALE BERTIE                                                                                            Bruree Very decent opening round 3rd & back in ideal T1 now. Can be a threat if defend rail early.
	TOOCOOLFORSCHOOL                                                         Dromcollogher Broadford Smart Rd1 winner & plausible claim to lead on inner brings realistic claim for bold bid.
	KYLETAUN ANGEL                                                                                           St. Senans Struggling for best lately & trapping must improve but talented bitch has more in tank.
	BRANDYANDBAILEYS                                                                                      Blackrock Impressed despite defeat when denied clear run last week. Better to come, must respect.
	NITRO NOTORIOUS                                                                                            Rathkeale Solid effort in a fast heat last week & if trap to secure clear run, can make forward bid.
	VANCOUVER SHEA                                                                                                  Adare The fastest of the Kirby a week ago & powerful sort will take all the beating if no bump.

GUIDE: All attention will naturally and justifiably be on Vancouver Shea here after his scorching performance last week. He appears well drawn again and likely to see Trap 6 in most heats, should he progress, it was pleasing to see him maintain a middle path at the bends last week while resisting the urge to drift inward. That will stand to him in terms of avoiding early bumping and that would be all that could cost him victory here it seems. The Dowling duo both ran with great credit a week ago and should Toosoolforschool lead Kerrydale Bertie to the bend, the Kingdom kennels could fill the places here as Brandyandbaileys impressed as a strong running type in Round One. However, Bertie merits much respect in the plumb draw while Nitro Notorious too can be a factor if leading on the outer. This is tricky for places but for the winner, a clear run should suffice for Shea.

	ROUND 2 HEAT 5 KILLINAN ROSIE                                                                                            Knockainey Strong runner ran with great credit behind T2 & ideally drawn to sneak run for late claim.
	BENTEKES BOCKO                                                                                                  Ahane Posted fast early paced figures last week & appears the likely leader on inner, big shout!
	BURGESS DUBH                                                                        Feohanagh Castlemahon Again flying form the 2nd bend to home latest. Must turn close now but expect late bid.
	CROSSFIELD KATE                                                                                             Caherline Rapidly improving bitch with brilliant Rd1 win. Can put them all to the sword if repeat!
	CLONBRIEN HERO                                                                                     Murroe Boher Has taken well to LMK & no disgrace in defeat latest. Big early paced battle on, chance.
	ALLEN TANK                                                                                                            Croom Better than the figures in Rd1 when walked out. Big scope to improve, dismiss at peril!

GUIDE: Arguably the most competitive heat of the round and I've landed on the most straightforward prediction although there is little straightforward about it. The runner most likely to get a crucial clear run is Bentekes Bocko and he is the choice. He showed superb early pace last week and is highly likely to outpace the runners either side of him to secure safe passage and we'll back him to stay there. Crossfield Kate was pure class last week and is next most likely to secure a run if repeating her good start. Having Bocko on her inner when turning is the only issue with selecting her for the win.

The worst drawn of the early pacers is probably Clonbrien Hero with the afore mentioned runners being on his inside and that must temper support for the Holland runner who has taken so well to Limerick. So then we have the strong runners; Rosie has an ideal draw on the fence and it would normally be silly to predict that she can be in danger of elimination but she is at some stage going to have Burrgess Dubh snapping at her tail and he is finishing so powerfully of late that it is difficult to see him outside the places. Factor in a likely improved show from Allen Tank who surely can't be as slow from traps this week and we have a real conundrum. Keep it simple; Bocko fends off Kate on the run to the bend and lasts home! 

	ROUND 2 HEAT 6  ITS ROCKIN JIM                                                                                                   Askeaton Found traffic last week but back in ideal T1 now & expect bold show if defend rail early.
	HOVEX MICK                                                                                                        Cappagh Did well after bumping in fast Rd1 heat & big player if find prior fast break when in blue!
	THOR TAGG                                                                                       Kilmallock Camogie Ran with great credit after early bump in fastest Rd1 heat. Strong runner will stay on late.
	MAGICAL VINNY                                                                                          Mountcollins Better than bare figures in decent 3rd after bumps last week. Must trap in tight draw now.
	DROOPYS CABAYE                                                                          Ballyagran Camogie Still a maiden but much to like in solid 3rd last week. Strong from 2nd bend, can’t dismiss.
	JAYTEE BARRACUDA                                                                              Templeglantine Again ran a cracker in very decent 2nd latest, clear run on outer will bring realistic claim.

GUIDE: Another tight one to call but Hovex Mick appears to have a plausible draw if returning to his smart trapping form and avoiding the bumps of last week. He is taken to lead on the inner and gets a tentative vote for victory. There are strong runners in this heat and an improved start for either Its Rockin Jim, Thor Tagg or Magical Vinny could see them pop up at a price but the outside traps will surely have a big say after pleasing opening round efforts. Jaytee Barracuda can be expected to trap better this week and Droopys Cabaye can also benefit for his first run at Limerick. Whichever turns first is certain to pose a threat at the bottom bends but the possibility that they may brush off one another at some point gives Hovex Mick a real opportunity here if leading on the inner.

	ROUND 2 HEAT 7 HIGHER LEVEL                                                                                       Croagh Kilfinny Made a pleasing LMK debut when staying well. Seed removed & interesting if trap well.
	SPRINGWELL JOSIE                                                                                                  Bruff Game sort can trap better than last week & likely to benefit fir that LMK debut, respect.
	DRIVE ON TIPP                                                                                                      Crecora Took well to LMK in classy Rd1 win & the obvious favourite now if secure clear passage.
	CU UI NEILL                                                                                                 Newcastlewest Behind T5 latest but again stayed well & expect late bid again if clear run in tight draw.
	JAYTEE SAMURAI                                                                               Feenagh Kilmeedy Finally scored LMK win last week & draw looks to offer claims for lead on outer, player!
	DROOPYS GIROUD                                                                                         Tournafulla Plenty to like in solid LMK debut latest, strong runner may get nice tow behind T5 now.

GUIDE: It's difficult to look beyond Drive On Tipp here and being one of two ante-post selections for this website ahead of the competition, (http://grgkirby.blogspot.ie/p/tipping.html ), last week's impressive win was gratefully received. He is again taken to control matters on the inside and excepting any mis-step, is the clear choice for victory. The outside traps must merit much respect too and Jaytee Samurai is expected to challenge in close quarters at the opening bends while dragging Droopys Giroud into the contest on the back-straight and they can fill the qualifying places. It would take a smash break from one of the outsiders to cause an upset.

	ROUND 2 HEAT 8 SHEWHODARESWINS                                                                                  Patrickswell Battled well despite well held last week & T1 can aid chances now but must defend rail.
	FRANKIES LADY                                                                                                         Glin Soild enough last week & start faster. Can hold claims to progress if lead T1 early doors.
	CROSSFIELD JOCK                                                                                  AbbeySarsfields Ran a cracker in defeat last week & plausible claims to lead inner duo will bring chance.
	JAYTEE PRESIDENT                                                                                      Galtee Gaels Bolted to the bend in Rd1 & no disgrace when btn in fastest time. Catch me if you can!
	BALLYMAC LAUGHIL                                                                                              Doon Hugely impressive with improved break last week & repeat would bring realistic claims.
	SOCIETY ST RIDLE                                                                                           St. Kierans Strong runner this trip did well to qualify despite traffic last week & trio claim if clear run.

GUIDE: On first round performances, this heat would appear to be between the middle traps and a repeat of Jaytee President's fast start would likely earn him the crucial first bend lead which would lead to victory. He gets only a tentative vote however because Crossfield Jock was hugely impressive in defeat a week ago and Ballymac Laughil could not have been asked to deliver more in his defeat of Native Chimes. Don't rule out Frankies Lady either and if she returned to her usual smart trapping, she would make them all go. Still, that 1.19 split is too much to ignore with Jaytee President, although he may have to repeat it to win.