Hardy and Lola deliver Byrne Friday brace
TRAPRISE
The past week saw a host of smart performances from local kennels but stealing headlines with a very smart double winning achievement at Limerick on Friday was trainer John Byrne as his Kevinsfort Hardy (Malachi-Kevinsfort Tiger) concluded the action in dominant style.
A largely consistent performer, the Monday Night Five Club Syndicate owned April 2023 whelp nonetheless appreciated an ease in grade for the Slan Abhaile A2 525 and a winner at higher, he greatly impressed following a level start from a suitable trap two draw.
Seizing command of the rail once in full flight, the Knockalton charge defended that position to the corner within a competitive early tussle before easing clear of rivals while turning. Readily extending to four lengths on the approach to halfway, Kevinsfort Hardy was never likely to be contain in such a scenario and duly completing victory with the minimum of fuss, thereafter, posted 28.72 (+10) in a five-length verdict.
He will return to A1 level for his next outing but can ably handle that upgrade while in search of his tenth career success.
The first leg of that Byrne kennel double on the night was sparked just a matter of minutes prior when John Ryan’s Private Lola (King Sheeran-Diego Lola) went back-to-back at Limerick while doubling her win haul in just a seventh race outing.
Taking an upgrade well in stride on the back of her maiden A6 victory last time, the August 2024 pup was marginally headed in the early strides from trap 2 before displaying her smart dash for a narrow lead at the corner. In command to the backstraight, Lola had a persistent rival on her tail to the closing bends but resolute on the bunny, drew clear in the home stretch for an ultimately snug two and a half-length victory in 28.88 (+10).
That new personal best will bring a rise to A2 next time but on a steady upward curve within her early racing campaign, it would come as little surprise should she complete the hat-trick.
Son shines at 550
John Byrne would add another to his weekend haul at Limerick when the Thanks to Our Sponsors A1 550 saw George Rowan & Eoghan Mulcahy’s Sonofardcroney (King Sheeran-Knockmitten Bawn) progress to a classy new personal best within his third career victory on Saturday’s fixture.
Upped in grade for his recent A3 score, September 2024 whelp was having just his seventh outing and despite a slow start from trap 3, displayed much the best pace while advancing through rivals for a lead at the opening bend. Reaching the backstraight with two lengths in hand, the Knockalton winner extended further clear with an impressive gallop to the closing turns and seeing out every yard, posted 29.68 (+10) with four lengths in hand.
Sonofardcroney will now be obliged to tackle the very top company going forward but another exciting pup for all connected, his future progress can be followed keenly while expected to quickly get to grips with the rise.
Back to that Friday fixture at Limerick and another local winner set up a hattrick bid next time when the Lucerne Syndicate’s Roman Asher (Ballyhimikin Jet-Resistant) remained unbeaten at the outset of his career when claiming another thrilling victory in the Book Your Trials Online A5 525.
Having led throughout his photo-finish debut score at Limerick, the Padraig O’Lone trained October 2024 whelp was again quick to reach full stride from trap 3 and immediately in command, galloped to a strong one length lead at the opening bend with swift early pace. A length to the good at the top of the backstraight, the Roscrea pup was joined by a rival to his outer while tackling the closing turns but game as you like thereafter, contained the threat on the run to the line.
Registering a neck winning verdict, Roman Asher progressed to 29.21 (+10) and will take a further step up the grading ladder for his next outing but with a profitable running style and improvement highly likely, a treble to commence his career looks likely!
It was another action-packed week for local kennels with winners across a host of venues leaving much to catch up on including a weekend double at Shelbourne Park for trainer Vincent McKenna with flagship kennel runners Frenchfort Madam and A Charda at A1 and AA0 level respectively.
The Moorstown Kennels A3 500 Yard Stake was the event which saw Magical Luka commence his track record breaking exploits in 2025 and trainer Pat Guilfoyle has targeted the competition again this season. We will catch up on expected progress for his trio of first round heat winners, Magical Faye, Magical Marty and Magical Poppy, next week.
Fury fires final bullet at Galway
A runner in fine form of late while developing a pleasing consistent profile, John O’Meara’s Ballygibbon Fury (Bockos Jon Jo-Beannacht Cleo) gained due reward at Galway on Saturday when a most game winner in the Final of the Talking Dogs A4 Dual Distance Stake.
Entering the event on the back of victory in the same grade, the October 2024 whelp settled for runner-up position in his 525-yard semi-final but with crowding then, remained a big player ahead of the final while always likely to see out extra yardage.
Relishing the longer run to the opening bend in the 550-yard showdown, the O’Meara pup paced up smartly on the inside of faster starting rivals from trap 1 and reaching the turn in timely fashion, offered a strong right shoulder to those on his outer before forcefully striking the front. Extending to a one and a half-length lead at the top of the backstraight, Ballygibbon Fury contain the persistent threat of a rival on his tail thereafter and maintaining that same margin to the line, registered final victory in 30.70 (-50).
The performance will see him rise to A3 for his next outing, but that level should hold no fears on Saturday’s evidence.