Rally around Billy for Irish Sprint Cup success

TRAPRISE

The most prestigious sprinting event of any season, the 2026 BAR 1 Betting Irish Sprint Cup at Dundalk was reduced to a final six on Saturday evening, and taking big claims to this week’s €20,000 decider will be the Christopher Delaney trained Rallying Billy (Ballymac Cashout-Rallying Saidso) following his brilliant semi-final victory.

Having made stealthy progress through the opening rounds with a trio of game runner-up performances, the Dan Flynn owned May 2024 whelp faced another daunting assignment on Saturday with early round foe Tiermana Dream again in opposition.

However, pleasingly drawn in trap 2, the Roscrea speedster produced his best break of the event and crucially leading Looking Splendid with sharp pace on the run to the corner, denied that rival for command of the rails entering the opening bend. Bounding clear while turning with Tiermana Dream in pursuit, Rallying Billy predictably stayed stoutly along the home stretch and turning the tables on that latter rival this time, registered a classy 21.12 for a commanding five and a quarter-length score.

The opposing semi-final was won by an in-form Montana Secret in 20.97, and final victory remains a tough task for Billy,

but he can be the master of his own fate while drawn on the immediate outside of that rival in trap 3.

A repeat of his best break will bring realistic chances and from a kennel which has enjoyed elite sprinting success with one of the best of the modern era, Rossbirr Ranger, Billy will be primed for Saturday’s assignment within another expertly crafted event campaign by his Roscrea handler.

Son is super at 525

Amongst the most impressive performances of the season on the local scene thus far, the fourth career victory of George Rowan & Eoghan Mulcahy’s Sonofardcroney (King Sheeran-Knockmitten Bawn) delivered a stunning new personal best when a most eye-catching winner of the Slan Abhaile Open 525 at Limerick on Saturday.

Advancing to the top level of racing in A1 victory back in June, the John Byrne trained September 2024 whelp endured a luckless passage over 750-yards last time out but despite just a moderate break from trap 2 on his return to the standard trip, compensated for that when stalking pacesetter Tyrap Noel around the opening bends at a one-length deficit.

Stamping his class on the race along the backstraight, the Byrne charge struck the front on the inside before reaching the closing bends and powering clear in dismissive style, thereafter, struck the line with four and a half lengths to spare.

Stopping the clock in a brilliant 28.26, the future for Sonofardcroney lies amongst the elite of racing and his is an exciting future with just ten races under his belt.

Star worth the Wait in Derby

Highlight of the local challenge in the 2026 BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby arrived in Saturday’s second session of opening round heats at Shelbourne Park where Sandra Guilfoyle’s Waitingforastar (Droopys Jet-Magical Poppy) produced a thrilling victory.

Slow to stride from his trap 3 draw, the June 2024 whelp advanced from fifth place at the opening bend while overturning a four-length deficit off the second bend to get up on the line for a shorthead defeat of Slippery Brian in 29.53 for the 550-yards.

He will be joined in this week’s second round by kennelmate Wi Can James who very much caught the eye in his strong running second behind Sleight Of Hand in 29.10, and by Magical Jet who safely advanced in Friday’s opening heat when third to Ballyhooly Cliff despite a missed break and bumpy passage.

Also missing his break in the final heat, Michael Hogan’s Grangeview Rocko contests the second round on the back of his hugely game runner-up performance behind Amidus Hulk in 29.65 and we will detail expected progress for all from Round Two next week.

Montore double at Thurles

The winning action began early last week as a kennel double saw James Treacy top and tail the Tuesday SIS fixture at Thurles with his Montore Baron (Ballymac Cashout-Bull Run Riot) gaining due reward for recent consistency with victory in the opening A4 525 contest.

Filling runner-up position in each of his previous three outings, the lightly raced September 2022 whelp ensured compensation for those narrow misses despite headed in the initial strides from trap 4. Undeterred by a wide drawn rival crossing his path while seeking the rails on the run to the corner, the Treacy charge maintained a true line before ranging up to contest the lead while tackling the opening turns.

Poking his head in front off the second bend, Montore Baron extended to his two-length winning margin by halfway and not to be denied this time, displayed ample resolve for his third career win. Registering 29.68 (-20), he will remain in the same grade for his next outing with obvious claims for a repeat in current form.

Closing out that Thurles fixture in the concluding A7 525, wonderful veteran Montore Harry (Farloe Blitz-Montore Sally) completed the Treacy double, taking his win tally to seventeen within a wonderfully competitive career.

Also, in sparkling form beyond his fifth birthday, the May 2021 whelp has only been out of the forecast places in four of his latest 11 starts and the old boy showed rivals a clean pair of paws in the early strides again this time. With the best pace from trap 6,

Harry tackled the opening bend with a length in hand before bounding clear to halfway. With his stamina predictably tested by a strong staying rival from that point, Montore Harry defended a shorthead winning margin in thrilling style, posting 30.35 (-20).