GOLD OUT TO SHINE AS 1XBET IRISH ST. LEGER HEATS UP

Peter Farrell

After a blistering start to the 2026 1XBET Irish St. Leger 550 at Limerick, the temperature gauge is set to rise another notch tonight as the six second-round heats take centre stage, all of which are packed with quality and certain to attract a bumper crowd.

Bockos Gold ran a brilliant race on his comeback last time out and he won’t have to wait long to return to action, with the Graham Holland-trained heavyweight scheduled to contest the opening heat. The son of Coolavanny Hoffa should strip considerably fitter for that comeback run and, from a favourable draw in three, expect him to lay down a marker for connections. Of his rivals, there are threats aplenty, with Solo And Go right up there for Liam Dowling and the Kingdoms Palace Syndicate. The brilliant tracker charged the traps in round one but produced a fantastic recovery to finish second, and don’t expect him to break as poorly this time around. Once again drawn in red, if he hits the lids as he can, he will give his rivals plenty to think about. Elsewhere, Lennies Dynamic and Hackney Dancer renew their rivalry. Both served up a terrific buckle last weekend, with Paul Hennessy’s runner coming out on top, and neither can be discounted once again. Throw in the likes of Daleroad Magic and Bills Harbour, and this is arguably the contest of the night.

MOUTH-WATERING CONTEST

Swords Diamond set the standard in round one when posting a sparkling 29.49 and he is set to contest heat two, where he may need to reproduce that opening-round performance to make it back-to-back wins for Graham Holland and Barbara Lowndes. The son of Swords Rex was electric from traps on that occasion, posting a rapid 2.85 sectional, and any repeat of that could see him dictate matters once again. That said, he has the formidable Wi Can James on his immediate outside, and the latter will likely go to traps as favourite. The Pat Guilfoyle-trained star, owned by Lars and Anita Wicander, romped to victory in round one when posting 29.57, and he will likely come on leaps and bounds for that first outing since the Derby final. Adding further intrigue to this contest is the presence of Ballymac Deniro in the other bookend box, trap six. Liam Dowling’s runner also won with relative ease on night one and he appears to be better than ever, having clocked an unbelievable 17.03 in a trial prior to the Leger. He will command huge support out wide, and all eyes will be on the lift of the lids, with Swords Diamond, Wi Can James and Ballymac Deniro all vying for the early initiative. Also involved is Slippery Felix, who ran a blinder in round one and is worthy of plenty of respect.

ALLIANCE TO SCORE

The withdrawal of Priceless Romeo could play into the paws of Romeo Alliance in heat three. The son of Romeo Magico, trained by Graham Holland, clocked a red-hot 2.81 sectional in round one, and a repeat of that would surely see him round the opener with clear daylight. Of his rivals, Drombeg King was also an opening-round scorer and, while poorly drawn in five, is running well for owner Evan McAuliffe and will benefit from a vacant trap on his outside. Both Blastoff Heffo and Droopys Winsome will be finishing fast and can also get involved.

WARRIOR TO MAKE-ALL

Of course, there was unfortunate news earlier this week with the withdrawal of joint outright favourite Ballymac Setanta and, with his trap now vacant, Ballyea Warrior looks a good bet to go one better than his runner-up finish last time out. Trained by Pat Buckley for the Swiftrack Ltd Syndicate, Ballyea Warrior ran a fine race in the opening round despite being picked up late, and he should strip considerably fitter on this occasion. Last week’s performance was his first competitive outing since August, so expect a sharper display this time around and a make-all performance could well be on the cards. Of his rivals, Ballyhooly Bruno looks the most likely threat and is fancied to also make the frame for Tom O’Neill from trap four.

BOY CAN GO ONE BETTER

Getuptheboy was chinned late on by Roaming Shelby in round one, but Mark Robinson’s star can go one better in heat five. A top-class tracker, the son of Ballymac Cashout should have benefited greatly from last week’s outing and, although drawn in trap five, can get first run on his rivals. Chief among his dangers is English Derby champion Lennies Eddie. Drawn in red, the Paul Hennessy-trained black was a huge eye-catcher between the second and third bends last weekend, and it would be foolish to discount the son of Good Cody.

SHELBY TO GO BACK-TO-BACK

The final heat is certainly worth hanging around for, and Roaming Shelby gets the narrow vote following a hugely encouraging performance in round one. On that occasion, Seamus Hagan and Paul Ellis’ charge came from off the pace to post 29.70, and he will appreciate a draw slightly closer to the fence in trap two tonight. The son of Tommy Shelby is a likely leader in this contest and, if gaining the initiative on the run-up, should prove too strong thereafter. Of his rivals, Grangeview Rocko is likely to dispute the early running for Michael Hogan, while Ballymac Gwennie will be flying from halfway and could prove difficult to keep out of the frame.

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