Clares Rocket (Confident Rankin-Lemon Madrid, Jun 14) looks the fastest 525 yard dog in Ireland following another 
stunning performance in the second round of the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial at Limerick.
In his column on this website, trainer Graham Holland predicted an improvement from Rocket following his first round victory in 28.27. So it proved – and in some style. Marginally led up by Lenson Rocky, Rocket accelerated into a first bend lead which he extended to five lengths in a brilliant 28.13 (TR 27.95).
Earlier on the card English Derby favourite Droopys Roddick (Droopys Jet-Droopys Start, Apr 14) ran a brilliant race to win his heat in 28.89. Decently away, he was crowded early and back in last place at the second bend. He came through his field only to be brought to a standstill at the third bend, before rallying bravely. It was a fine run, though whether he can get away with that kind of display against the best in England and Ireland remains to be seen.
The second fastest time of the night went to Coolavanny Wendy (Premier Fantasy-Cabra Millie, Jan 14). Fraser Black’s Red Mills Unraced winner (Clonmel). She was led up for the first few metres by Double Oh Seven but then pulled away to beat that rival by seven in 28.40.
Jackie McCann’s Eightythreelarch (Blonde Snapper-Grayslands Swan, Jan 14) extended his winning sequence to four after catching Skywalker Manner at the fourth bend and winning by three and a half in 28.43.
Silverhill Pat (Ballymac Pet-Silverhill Tina, Apr 14) turned over kennelmate Jo Jos Fantasy in the last heat. The dog blessed with stunning early pace trapped slowly but soon burst clear of the field to go six clear. He was fading badly on the run-in but just held off the other Holland inmate by two lengths in 28.48.
The Holland kennel’s third winner on the night was Riverside Oscar (Knockglass Billy-Forrachmore, Apr 14) who led from trap to line by a fading half a length from Coolykereen Rake in 28.69.
Northern Irish entry Maytown Eclipse (Kinloch Brae-Razldazl Lily, Apr 14) never put a paw wrong when beating Westway Hawk by three in 28.55. One spot slower was Edel Twomey’s Witches Belle (Droopys Scolari-Lemon Belle, Apr 14) who finished well to beat Calzaghe Billy by half a length.
