Tipping

CON & ANNIE KIRBY MEMORIAL FINAL

Well last week's tips that looked like they could have been picked by next door's granny took a shine off what had previously been a very fruitful campaign over the month of Kirby action. Still, we're up a few bob and Drive On Tipp has reached the final for us at 10/1 so let's try round it all off with some profits on a fantastic final night card.

Read the big final guide HERE



NAP
RACE 5 TRAP 1 EAST KING ran plenty well enough in semi-final defeat last time but finding plenty of traffic then, can find a better run form Trap 1 tonight and a return to his previous win form would claim the A4 final now.

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RACE 11 TRAP 4 GOOD NEWS I always feel that it's a case of back him or back nothing when this fellow runs. He's always in hot, he's always a backable price and is so consistent that he always gives a good account. On the back of smart recent trials I'm going to back him to reach the bend in front of the runners on his inside tonight and convert thereafter.

RACE 6 TRAP 4 GULLEEN BILLY is a favourite of everyone at Limerick and taking on some saucy raiders tonight, should be a good price. In form with the early pace to negate a tricky draw in Trap 4, he will put up stubborn resistance on his home sand and like the previous selection, it's a case of back him or back nothing.

CON & ANNIE KIRBY SEMI-FINALS

What a night ahead at Limerick with the semi-finals of the Kirby and the wonderful Aulton Jet likely to make another bid to claim the sprint record in the final of the Treaty Cup. A guide to the Kirby semis can be found HERE but for profits tonight we will look to the undercard where there is more value to be had.

NAP

RACE 2 TRAP 1 ALLAGHUN LADY is one of a field of largely exposed runners but well drawn at an ideal trip, should be able to convert if repeating her latest good split on the inner.

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RACE 7 TRAP 1 BLACK METAL ran a cracker on return from a break last time and is drawn for a repeat against rivals who shouldn't have much potential for marked improvement being well raced.

RACE 1 TRAP 4 MOHANE ZARA is a speculative choice but she has shown pleasing pace without clear runs in her two races so far and could pop up at a price tonight.

RACE 10 TRAP 4 CARRIGMORE YOUNG is not running as poorly as his slide down the grades would suggest and is worth chancing in his A3 contest tonight where he could actually dominate if well away.

**Over the course of the Kirby nights so far the tipping service is running at a 60% win rate and is up a whopping 10.3 pts to a level stake! Also, both outright selections before the competition are still standing at 10/1 & 14/1! (It pays to study! ;).......)

CON & ANNIE KIRBY QUARTER-FINALS

Down to twenty-four and the Kirby is still wide open. Connections will only care about a qualification place tonight but hopefully we can drag a few bob out of it if the market allows. It's not in my DNA to bet at odds-on so hopefully both of tonight's Kirby selections will be reasonably priced and should be odds against.

Last week was a tricky night for punting and only Lughill Robbie obliged for this column but at 5/2 he limited the losses greatly and leaves me just in front over the two weeks so far. As for the outright investments with both Drive On Tipp and Vancouver Shea still standing and running very well, I have no need to seek any other outright punts but I couldn't turn anyone off the 9/1 available about Coolavanny Pet and if she wins tonight, as I think she will, holding that price about her with 12 remaining would feel like big value.

NAP

RACE 11 TRAP 2 COOLAVANNY PET; read the heat by heat guide HERE to see why! And she should be some sort of a price with last week's fastest runner in the heat. **1st 4/5 (No bet at odds on)

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RACE 12 TRAP 2 COMETWOPASS has a real feel of Crokers Champ about him and the Cronin runner may be set for a similar deep run as that wonderful 2014 runner-up. At 80lbs he is probably never going to flash from a trap but he has wicked early pace and I'm going to back him to upset the favourite who will be popular from what appears an ideal draw. Still, the selection can settle the heat at the bend if as I believe, he can outpace him on the run-up. More HERE **1st 2/1

RACE 5 TRAP 4 A DAY LATE has a very good opportunity to score tonight despite having a smart pup on his inner for he has found the lesser of the two semi-finals in the Treaty Cup Sprint. He appeared in need of his first run at Limerick last week but showed exceptional early pace before not all that smooth at the bends. He can also trap better and if he did tonight, would convert! **1st returned 5/2; backed at 7/2!!

Tonight's Race Card Preview HERE
Previous Round Sectional times HERE
QF Heat by Heat Guide HERE






CON & ANNIE KIRBY ROUND TWO

A big night ahead at Limerick Greyhound Stadium with the second round heats of the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial Puppy Stake supported by a brilliant cast of entries for the 2017 Treaty Cup 350 Yard Stake with two of the most prolific sprinters of the past two seasons in Aulton Jet and Ballymac Bigmike along with a Bar One Sprint Cup winner, Laurels winner and Kirby runner-up....saucy!

In the outright market, we have little need to go in search of further investment with both pre-competition selections running so well last week and I hope that you all took that advice. (Scroll down to read why Vancouver Shea and Drive On Tipp were, and still are, the outright fancies)

If you have no investment at this stage and are looking for a punt, you may find the revised 6/1 quote about Shea to be a bit on the short side but our Derby sponsors Boylesports have quoted the best prices all week and held him at 8-1 when others were shorter. They have the best value market overall and there are a few options at longer odds who could be worth a nibble for those still seeking an outright punt....although for this site, we're sticking to what we have for now.

A few who merit respect at this stage are Jaytee President at 25/1 and you can read why on our Round One sectional times page HERE where you may also find figures which make Killinan Rosie an each way option at 33/1 and at risk of being called a complete fantasist, Thor Tagg could continue to qualify with his power finish at 100/1. (All Boylesports)

We went OK last week with a 6/4 nap and 5/2 next best yielding profits from our three selections. I think all four selections tonight should be odds against and that's the condition of investment on my part at least.

NAP

RACE 10 TRAP 2 HOVEX MICK is expected to trap better this week and confirm his previous sizzling Limerick form. He can outpace the runners either side and ensure a lead on the rails at the opening bends before completing victory. *Lost

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RACE 5 TRAP 1 LUGHILL ROBBIE ran very well last week form a less than ideal draw in Trap 4 and is now perfectly housed to control this heat on the inside. Defending the rails with his early pace should be enough here as the big danger Rackethall Jess has a job on to find clear racing room from Trap 5. **1st 5/2

RACE 7 TRAP 6 DROOPYS POGBA ran well enough last week to merit selection now but again the draw makes him a natural to follow up. Rathnasnare Champ is likely to dominate on the inner and complicate matters for some highly respected runners but the suspect stayer is unlikely to stay in front. A clear run on the outer on the back of his good win last week earns Pogba a confident vote. Lost 

RACE 12 TRAP 4 JAYTEE PRESIDENT is almost the forgotten dog of last week and had he registered that 28.59 in heat victory instead of behind Vancouver Shea, he would probably be 12/1 to win the stake now. He faces respected rivals here but a repeat of his good start will bring a much deserved win. Lost





CON & ANNIE KIRBY ROUND ONE

An exciting night ahead at Limerick Greyhound Stadium with the commencement of the 2017 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial Puppy Stake. We have extensive coverage with previews, news, heat by heat guide and all you need to know on this dedicated Kirby website, just click the home button and explore!

As with any puppy event, the first round is likely to prove tough in punting terms with many only acquainting themselves with new surroundings but there still may be some small stakes opportunities on the opening night. There will be plenty of short priced favourites and the first round is a dangerous stage to get stuck into these so while many hotpots could appear as tips, we'll do as we always do and seek value.

NAP

RACE 12 TRAP 4 JAYTEE SAMURAI hasn't had much luck in his preparations at Limerick but the Comerford Puppy winner has found a heat which offers plausible claims to begin with a win. He is fancied to lead by the second bend on the outside of two possible pacesetters to his immediate inner and having now lost five in a row at Limerick, should be a price. **1st 6/4

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RACE 4 TRAP 2 COMETWOPASS has found a heat that does not appear the strongest at first glance and while no certainty, he looks to have very reasonable claims to lead on the inside, turn first and hopefully last home. **1st 5/2 (by 9L)

RACE 8 TRAP 6 DROOPYS GIROUD was withdrawn from the semi-final of the Juvenile Classic and hopefully there are no lingering issues with whatever ailed him them for he could deliver at a price from an ideal draw here. Loskeran Vardy is certain to be popular from what is probably an ideal draw in Trap 1 but Giroud's brother, Droopys Pogba, could pave the way for his demise and benefit his travelling companion. Pogba has smart early and if he traps, will sweep the bend. If he does that ahead of Vardy, then Giroud should be next in line down the back, and he would likely overhaul him. *3rd :(

OUTRIGHT

It is difficult to pick the winner of a Kirby before commencement for while we know there are some exceptionally talented runners and future superstars in the line-up, they can be inconsistent in their early careers. We have four to qualify tonight so there is some breathing space to start with but from next week on every mistake will be punished and any prospective champion will have to find that required consistency to ensure progression.

Boylesports were first to price up the event and in a brief discussion with Damien Lonergan, he exclaimed that they struggled to find an outright favourite but settling on four co-favourites at 10/1, I think they have the market pretty much spot on! In essence, what an open market like that does is leave to us to decide our favourite but all four at 10/1 merit their place at the top of the betting.

What's needed to win a classic event at Limerick is strength from the second bend to home; just go back over the classic winners since moving to Greenpark! That's not to say that early pace is not a factor or that you need to be a stayer but this Limerick circuit is more stamina sapping than most perceive it to be and you must fully see out the trip.

Ideally, you want to look for a runner who if they lead, they win!...while also retaining hopes of a late winning thrust if not in front at the bend and able to qualify when things don't fall perfectly into place. (Roddick, Hero, Cable Bay, Bully.....all of that ilk and the same goes for the Leger with Brandy, Mafuma, Bridie, Silva). You need a strong runner at Limerick!

I couldn't knock any of the runners at the top of the market and all are worthy of support with outright claims if this did go their way but two against the field to start with for minor investment are Drive On Tipp at 10/1 and Vancouver Shea at 14/1. Both appear to fall into the category described above, are capable of flying times and if finding that required consistency over the next month, should be set for deep runs. **A good start for the ante-post punts with both winning their opening round heats and Shea the fastest of the night in a slick 28.35!


Clarification: There are some who have indicated a belief that http://grgkirby.blogspot.ie/ is operated by or is a branch of an organised body or company within the sport. However, this website is in fact the sole custody of the author (who is the resident tipster for Limerick Greyhound Stadium) and all content is provided by same. Always working closely with the host venue, the site is appreciated and aided by Limerick Greyhound Stadium but is not commissioned by them or any other organisation.

This labour intensive endeavour is in fact a project of obsession on the author's behalf (just as the mother website Greyhound Racing Grass Roots) who possessing a thirst to explore and learn everything relevant to the 2017 Con & Annie Kirby, wishes to promote what he believes to be one of the most influential greyhound racing events in the entire sport. #kirby2017 #gogreyhoundracing