OLD CREAMERY BAR OPENER PRODUCES TOP-CLASS ACTION AT LIMERICK

Peter Farrell

There was a welcome return to action at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night as the opening round heats of the Old Creamery Bar Hospital AO 525 got underway and the standard was set in the concluding heat by Denis McGrath’s Foxwood Rip.

In total, there were five opening round heats on offer and there were some brilliant performances throughout as Paraic Campion accounted for a fine double, while the Francis Murray-trained Rich Pursuit also caught the eye with a blistering effort on his first start at Limerick. That said, the standard was indeed set by Foxwood Rip as he bounced back to winning ways since his rapid 28.42 victory back in October.

Drawn favourably in trap one, Foxwood Rip was sent to traps as a 5/2 joint second favourite in the concluding heat and he made his intentions clear from the outset with a swift exit from his inside berth. Joined on the run-up by Stands Out in four, the latter was forced to check at the opener and this allowed ‘Rip’ to develop a healthy lead over Jebel Ali Paddy midway down the back. At this point, McGrath’s charge got stronger as the race progressed and the son of Bockos Jon Jo and Oakfield Dancer duly raced to an increasing eight and a half length victory. Newport Pier finished like a train to grab second, while Jebel Ali Paddy claimed third. The time was a blistering 28.48.

PURSUIT MAKES HER MARK

Next best on the clock was the Francis Murray-trained Rich Pursuit (6/4) as the brindle made a winning start to life at Limerick. Arriving with some fine form around Shelbourne, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Mary Goodnight, owned by Kathleen Murray, was headed on the run-up by Ballybawn Belle, however, quickly turned this contest into one-way traffic as she breezed to the front passing the 750 box. From there, Rich Pursuit drew clear of her rivals to stay on stoutly and record a seven length victory over Ballygibbon Cash in second. The time was a very fast 28.51.

BIZARR & BURGESS SEAL CAMPION DOUBLE

Tipperary handler, Paraic Campion, has started 2025 in good form and he sent out a double of heat winners with Highview Bizarr getting the ball rolling in heat one. This tracker ended 2024 in blistering fashion when winning in 28.57 .10f and he continued his purple patch with another facile victory. A 5/2 chance at the off, ‘Bizarr’ broke smartly from six and paced up in terrific style to sweep the opening bend clear. In doing so, the son of Pat C Sabbath and Highview Jayne, owned by the VHR-Syndicate set a powerful gallop and his victory was never under threat in racing to a four length win over Torpedo Turtle in second. The time was 28.65.

The double was completed in heat three as Boozed Burgess justified 6/4 favouritism as he made it four wins from his last five starts for Osmond Bennett. Running from trap one, ‘Boozed’ didn’t get everything his own way as he was slowly into stride from one to trail the field on the run-up. However, using his inside line in expert style, the son of Burgess Bucks Road Queen slipped around in second and quickly breezed to the front at the midway point. In doing so, the favourite kept on well in the closing stages to see off the challenge of Lads Bluebell in second. The time was 28.75.

JOAN RETURNS IN STYLE

The remaining heat was landed by Kevin O’Shea’s Racenight Joan as she made a winning return to racing since her last start in November. A smart lady with some fine form at both Clonmel and HQ, ‘Joan’ was installed as the 6/4 jolly but she had no answer to Gulleen Ina in the early exchanges as she flew from four. The lead changed hands down the back as Radical Harry got involved, however, this was a closely knit pack at the midway point and Racenight Joan was very much in the mix. Going for a daring run between runners between the bottom two bends, the courage of O’Shea’s runner was rewarded as she hit the front before staying on well to score by three lengths. Gulleen Ina settling for second, the time was 28.81.