By Michael Maher
THE semi finals of the Old Creamery Bar Hospital AO 525 served as the highlight at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night last and Highview Ben built on his brilliant performance last time out with another red-hot display.
Trained by Paraic Campion, who has made a blistering start to 2025, Highview Ben went just one spot slower than Foxwood Rip when posting 28.42 last weekend and he was installed as the 7/4 favourite to make it back-to-back wins.
Running in the second semi, ‘Ben’ was headed in the early exchanges as Gulleen Ina took a flyer from trap three to dictate.
That said, Highview Ben showed a lovely turn of early speed himself and was within touching distance of the leader rounding the opener. It was at this point where Highview Ben made his move.
Breezing up alongside Gulleen Ina passing the 750-yard box, the son of Pat C Sabbath and High-
view Ina, owned by the VHR-Syndicate from Kilmaley, Feakle and Newmarket on Fergus took control.
Indeed, ‘Ben’ opened a healthy lead between the bottom two bends and although the chasing pack, which was headed by Torpedo Turtle, made brief inroads on the run for home, Highview Ben was never under threat.
Galloping to a convincing two and a half length victory, the time was a brisk 28.37 as Gulleen Ina claimed the final qualifying position in third. The opening semi final was billed as a two-dog affair between Foxwood Rip and Rich Pursuit and the duo finished first and second as ‘Rip’ came out on top for Denis McGrath.
Foxwood Rip was the fancied runner in the con- test having won his prior two rounds with minimal ease and as such, he went to boxes as the even money favourite. Much like the prior two rounds, the son of Bockos Jon Jo put this contest to bed at the opening bend as he trapped lively from red to make his rails berth decisive on the run-up.
Just skipping around clear, ‘Rip’ set a powerful gallop down the back as Starson Frankie set off in chase, three lengths adrift in second.
Rich Pursuit had recovered brilliantly to move into third down the back and she continued to improve for Francis Murray, however, the bird had flown in terms of the winner as Foxwood Rip comprehensively made it three wins on the spin.
Staying on well to cross the line four lengths clear of Rich Pursuit in second, the time was 28.61 with Starson Frankie claiming his position in the final back in third.
Friday night’s Galway card was cancelled due to Storm Eowyn and will be ran on this coming Friday night January 31st.
