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Huge weekend for sport in Limerick

Sat 21st Apr 2018, 11:58

Gordon Elliott - runners at Ayr today and Limerick greyhound stadium tonightGordon Elliott - runners at Ayr today and Limerick greyhound stadium tonight
© Photo Healy Racing

On a huge weekend of sport for Limerick, a seven race Flat card kicks proceedings off at Greenmount Park on today.

Of course so much focus will be on Munster's clash with Racing 92 in Bordeaux on Sunday in the province's record 13th Champions Cup semi-final in rugby.

A win might set up a dream all-Irish final with Leinster, but for those staying at home, racing in the afternoon may well be a prelude to a night at the dogs at the nearby Greenpark, Dock Road venue.

Carrying a first prize of 80,000 Euros, the final of the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial is the highlight there, and one of the greyhounds in with a chance of landing the big money, Master Jingles, is part-owned by one Gordon Elliott.

Elliott is involved in this trap one runner with an owner of his, Caren Walsh, and indeed his recent achievements are marked on the supporting card with one of the races carrying the Tiger Roll A3 525 moniker.

The Con & Annie Kirby Memorial is generously sponsored by J P McManus and his wife Noreen, and though leading handler Paul Hennessy is without representation there, he does have a horse in action.

Hennessy's Pillard clashes with the McManus owned Bay Hill in the concluding Book Online At www.limerickraces.ie For Twilight Racing Handicap.

This would appear to be an open enough affair but Pillard with Seamie Heffernan up, and Bay Hill, trained by Padraig Roche and ridden by Leigh Roche, are not without chances on their best form.

The two Roches combine elsewhere as well. Rathbride Prince goes for the unrelated duo in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C & G) Maiden.

A son of the 2011 Derby hero, Pour Moi, Rathbride Prince could build on a promising debut third placing from Navan a fortnight ago. He's a half-brother to the high-class Exosphere.

Leigh Roche may well be a man to have on side throughout the programme and he'll be in action in six of the seven events.