FAYPOINT RANGER BREAKS 28 IN CON & ANNIE KIRBY SEMIS
Peter Farrell
It was nervous times for the twelve remaining connections in the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial on Saturday night as they aimed to seal one of those all-important qualification places in next week’s €80,000 to the winner showpiece at Limerick Greyhound Stadium.
On the night, patrons were treated to two exceptional semi final displays with Faypoint Ranger, not for the first time, stealing the show as he produced an exhibition of front-running to break the 28-second barrier for the first time in the Classic.
UNBEATEN RECORDS AT STAKE
In what was a red-hot opening semi final on paper, two unbeaten records were at stake as kennel companions Faypoint Ranger and Brideside Bill locked horns but it was far from a two-dog affair with a number of sensational talents lurking at all angles in the shape of Pain Barrier, Droopys Deploy, Silent Kobbie and Ballymac Jester.
In truth, however; it proved all one-way traffic as Faypoint Ranger produced a magnificent performance to cement his status as the one to beat heading into next week’s decider.
Well supported into the 6/5 favourite, Faypoint Ranger needed to take charge at traprise given the abundance of stamina in the contest and he did just that as Patricia Flanagan’s tracker bolted from trap three to lead. At this point, Ballymac Jester was on the receiving end of a smart exit from four, while Brideside Bill was also prominent early on out wide. Showing his trade mark early gears, ‘Ranger’ had already stolen a march on his rivals however, and he quickly opened a two length lead on the run-up with space now at a premium in behind as Droopys Deploy showed a lovely turn of early speed to get into contention, while Pain Barrier was also improving on the rails for double winning trainer Brendan Matthews.
EARLY TRAFFIC
While Faypoint Ranger had given his rivals the slip early on, traffic was to ensue in behind and although Brideside Bill managed to avoid trouble to hand Graham Holland a one-two heading into the back straight, there was a domino effect in behind as Pain Barrier squeezed his way around on the rails, in turn bumping Ballymac Jester who then clipped Droopys Deploy. As a result, there was daylight between all six runner’s entering the back straight and Faypoint Ranger had opened a five length gap ahead of Brideside Bill in second, with Pain Barrier next best in third and closing with every stride. Indeed, the Brendan Matthews runner showed an eye-catching turn of pace from bends two to three to challenge Brideside Bill and Droopys Deploy was also edging into the frame for Robert Gleeson back in fourth.
NO DOUBT ABOUT THE WINNER
There was never any doubt about the winner, however. Faypoint Ranger (Coolavanny Hoffa - Carefree Tipp) had set an explosive gallop to the penultimate bend and he stopped the sectional clock at a majestic 15.82, while also maintaining his five length lead over Brideside Bill in second. The latter was coming under serious pressure at this point from Pain Barrier and the complexion of the qualification positions was to change off the final bend. While the race was done and dusted in terms of the winner, both Pain Barrier and Brideside Bill got very close swinging for home, which ultimately paid dividends for the staying-on Droopys Deploy in behind. Pain Barrier had that all-important inside berth off the last bend and he showed brilliant determination in nudging Brideside Bill aside, in turn causing the latter to receive a second bump from the flying Droopys Deploy in third. A luckless Brideside Bill was subsequently shuffled back to fourth as Pain Barrier came through for second, while Droopys Deploy claimed the final qualification spot in third. With all the drama in behind, there was a simply sensational winner in the form of Faypoint Ranger, who was in a class of his own throughout this red-hot semi. Stopping the clock in the fastest time of the Classic thus far, 27.98, Graham Holland now head’s into the feature with huge claims of landing a third Kirby in four years.
BUBBLY FULLY-CHARGED AHEAD OF FEATURE
Indeed, Graham Holland won’t be the only trainer bidding for a hat-trick of Kirbys next Saturday night as Brendan Matthews ensured he will be doubly represented after a brilliant performance from Bubbly Charger.
Now owned by The-Champagne-Club-Syndicate, Bubbly Charger came into the Classic unraced and he will bid to go one-better than Kildare, who followed a similar career path back in 2023, eventually finishing third in the decider to Swords Rex. ‘Charger’ had been showing continual improvement throughout the rounds, while staying very consistent on the clock in posting sub 28.40 performances in the two rounds prior. In what was a wide-open second semi, the son of Ballymac Bolger and Dolce Vita went to traps 10/3 and he picked a fine night to shave ten spots off his opening sectional to emerge best of all from trap two. In doing so, he was joined in the early exchanges by Sole Mio in three, while Lemon Joey was improving from his middle berth in trap four.
BUBBLY REACHES BOILING POINT
Clearing the bend with daylight in hand, Bubbly Charger quickly excelled into a four and a half length lead upon entrance to the back straight and at this point, given his strong running abilities, the contest looked done and dusted in regards to the winner. In behind, Skywalker Schar had maneuvered well along the rails to nestle into second, while Sole Mio had managed to steady himself expertly after opening bend traffic to sit third. In contrast, the likes of Lemon Joey, Flight Club and Fun Inthe Run were all badly hampered, leaving them with a mountain of work on their plates in their quest for qualification. This was of no concern to Bubby Charger, however, as he continued his relentless gallop to the third bend, while stopping the sectional clock in a rapid 16.01. Indeed, the leading trio had pulled clear of the remainder of the pack and although Skywalker Schar halved the deficit in impressive fashion late on, Bubbly Charger had plenty in reserve to cross the line with two lengths to spare. The remaining qualifying position went the way of Peter Cronin’s Sole Mio as he finished a further two and a half lengths back in third. The time for Bubbly Charger was a career best 28.19 and given this was just his fourth start, expect another bold bid in the feature next weekend.
The trap draw for the final of the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial was made shortly after and is as follows :
T1 - BUBBLY CHARGER
T2 - SOLE MIO
T3 - PAIN BARRIER
T4 - FAYPOINT RANGER
T5 - SKYWALKER SCHAR
T6 - DROOPYS DEPLOY (M)
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PAPPONE LEADS O’CONNOR MEMORIAL BID
The semi finals of the Sean O’Connor Memorial A1 525 served as the supporting act on the card and Tinahue Pappone made it back-to-back wins in the stake for owner John Fox.
A winner in 28.62 in the opener, Tinahue Pappone was installed as the 15/8 favourite and he showed excellent battling qualities to recover from a moderate break to shoot clear from trap four. In doing so, the son of Toker Forest opened a commanding lead over his rivals and he crossed the line a solid five and a half lengths clear of Blastoff Cooper, who made eye-catching ground, in second. The time was a fast 28.40.
The second semi saw Gwan My Boy score for a third career time as he defied his 12/1 starting price to make every yard. Trained by Pat O’Connell for Theresa and Caoimhe O’Connell, ‘Gwan’ didn’t break too well from his rails berth in one, however, he rallied to show some exceptional early speed and lead. As a result, the son of Explosive Boy created a two length lead heading into the back and he maintained that advantage to emerge a comfortable winner over Millroad Victory in second. The time was 28.59.