Irish round-up from Limerick and Dundalk

Treaty still on course to make history

Clonbrien Treaty remains on course for a historic three-in-a-row after landing his semi-final of the Callaway Pro Am @ Stud Irish St Leger at Limerick on Saturday night.

Following a brilliant victory last Saturday, the defending champion was sent off a 6/5 favourite and his backers had a scare when he was slowly away from trap four. However, he quickly recovered and showed tremendous pace to hit the front rounding the opening turn, before opening up a nice lead from Drombeg Banner down the back straight.

In typical Clonbrien Treaty style, Graham Holland’s multiple Classic winner powered home to score in 29.68 (+10) and crossed the line three and a half lengths ahead of Flight Club, who stayed on well to deny Drombeg Banner second place.

It was Hello Diego who set the standard as he posted an excellent 29.49 when hacking up by five lengths in the other semi-final.

A smart break saw Paul Hennessy’s charge turn in front and although he was closely pressed by Cagey Billy early doors, the 13/8 favourite had pulled clear by the end of the back straight.

The son of Jaytee Yankee flew to the line and book his place in the decider in impressive fashion, while Blastoff Heffo kept on well for second and Cagey Billy hung on for third.

The final will take place next Saturday, here is the draw:

Hennessy also had the fastest qualifier in the Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup quarter-finals as Lennies Talk produced a stunning display at Dundalk.

The son of Good Cody and Deelish Oreo showed tremendous early gears to get first run on Sogna Ancora and despite swinging wide off the last bend, he stormed home to beat that rival by five and a quarter lengths in an excellent 20.68. Boozed Burgess took third place.

Droopys Patriot remains unbeaten in the competition after surging past early leader Southwind Wild at the turn and racing clear to beat that rival by two and a half lengths in 20.88, with Road Exile back in third.

The Johnny Linehan's defending champion Broadstrand Syd also kept his perfect record intact when breaking smartly and making all for a comfortable three-and-a-quarter-length success in 20.91, being chased home by Stonepark Browne and Epic Ace.

Despite making just his third career appearance, Ballymac Brandan took the other quarter-final in trap-to-Iine fashion for Liam Dowling. The January 2024 whelp proved two lengths too good for Mirage Majesty as he stopped the clock at 20.94, with Exclusion Order taking the final qualifying spot.

The semi-finals (below) take place on Saturday.