CON MURPHY SECOND ROUND ACTION IN STORE AT LIMERICK

Peter Farrell

Round two of the €3,300-to-the-winner Con Murphy Bookmakers A1 525 resumes at Limerick Greyhound Stadium tonight, and after an opening round brimming with standout performances, more of the same is firmly on the cards.

Of last week’s winners, it was Glengar Blitz who set the standard, going narrowly quickest with a career-best 28.54. On that occasion, the Pat Buckley-trained runner produced a blistering turn of foot after coming from off the pace, finishing with real purpose. Bradley Canty’s bitch dons the red jacket again tonight and, with her career trending sharply upward, she is entitled to another bold showing. However, Bad Dreams, just two spots slower than Glengar Blitz, lies in wait in heat two. Declan Beary’s charge was electric from traprise last weekend, clocking a 1.19 sectional, and anything close to that would see her dictate once more. The daughter of Ballymac Cashout has four wins from ten and, if she assumes control early, she will pose a major threat to Glengar Blitz. Among the others, Ballymac Riddick, though only third last time, left a lasting impression with a powerful finish. A good draw in six gives Liam Dowling’s King Elvis pup every chance of breaking his maiden. Scattery Beauty, another first-round scorer, will again look to capitalise late if the gaps appear.

JIM CAN GET BACK TO WINNING WAYS

In the opening heat, preference is for Jim By Two, who can build on last week’s runner-up effort.

Trained by Brendan Maunsell for Peter Kelly and Noel Griffin, Jim By Two is a greyhound of real quality and the reigning Tipperary Cup champion. The son of Droopys Sydney looked home and hosed in his opening-round assignment before being nabbed late by the fast-finishing Scattery Beauty. Boasting powerful back-straight pace and drawn in red, he is well positioned to dictate early and should have benefitted from his first Limerick run in some time. A fifteenth career victory is well within reach. The likely improver is Valleymount Lia in six for Ted Curtin. Just a May pup, she recorded her fourth win in seven outings last weekend and remains on an upward curve. Zenith Efendi in two and Clonnloch Cliste in five also make the shortlist.

WILLIE TO ROCK-ON

In the final heat, Rockstar Willie is fancied to build on an impressive second-place finish.

Trained by John Byrne for The Maher Family Syndicate, Rockstar Willie pushed Bad Dreams all the way last weekend, with the latter just clinging on. His 28.59 return stands out in this field, and if he makes use of his trap one berth, he has the stamina to strike late. Among his challengers, Ballinabola Otis remains a live threat despite still seeking a first career win. The well-bred son of Glengar Bale and Dolls Lady has endured his share of misfortune but produced eye-catching late work last time, recovering from hitting the rail early to grab third. A better draw in four should aid his cause. Offshore Razl also holds claims for Patrick Fitzgerald in two. Though no match for Glengar Blitz last weekend, he stayed on strongly for third and, with more experience, could feature prominently with a slicker exit. Corona Ryan fields two runners, Beaming Ruby and Sheezatwister, both of whom will look to make all, while Kevinsfort Spice, Byrne’s second runner, will aim to arrive late from trap six.