Coolavanny Jap produced a sensational performance in the second round of the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial over 525 yards at Limerick on Saturday.
Pat Buckley’s runner blasted clear from traps and came home five lengths clear of Ballyhooley Henry in 28.22sec, easily the fastest of the night.
His trainer had a double when Kingdom Derby runner-up Beaming Boost landed heat seven. The Tullymurry Act dog disputed the lead with main rival Go Django to the second turn where he forged ahead to score by two lengths in 28.53sec.
Graham Holland’s Rural Hawaii was soon clear to beat Cable Bay by two and a half lengths in 28.48sec.
Rachel Wheeler’s Cunning Barney landed the ‘heat of death’ second qualifier when leading off the second turn to slam Baile Mhic by over five lengths in 28.57sec.
Fastest heat winner Hoodwinked was the 2-5 favourite for heat three but Declan Silles’ Liscahane Royal came past at the third turn to score by a length and a half in 28.73sec.
Ballinclare Mars was a shock 10-1 winner of heat five when accounting for Country Legend by a length and a half in 28.94sec.
Noel Hehir’s Ivy Hill Bart made every yard of the running in heat six to come home four lengths clear of Boherna Pedro in 28.63sec.
Robert Gleeson’s Droopys Braedon justified 1-3 favouritism in the last eliminator to score easily in 28.49sec.
