Gold sets the semi standard in a brilliant Limerick Kirby Memorial

BOCKOS GOLD will go into the €80,000 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial decider as the only unbeaten finalist after another brilliant performance in the second semi-final over 525 yards at Limerick.

Ballymac Setanta had put down a marker with a fluent 27.97sec victory in the opening semi but Graham Holland's dog responded in superb style in his showdown with the hitherto also unbeaten Bouncing Monarch.

The absence of withdrawn kennelmate Ballydoyle Tina from his immediate inside in trap one clearly aided the cause of Bockos Gold but so did a competition-best 1.21sec sectional as he quickly headed his rivals.

Bouncing Monarch also broke well with his own personal best 1.25sec split but, as hard as he undoubtedly tried, he could never quite bridge the the gap to Bockos Gold who galloped on powerfully to score by two lengths in 27.89sec. Holland's Beanos Yank qualified in third.

Earlier, Liam Dowling's Ballymac Setanta took full advantage of the inside draw in the opener as he paced up to lead well before the first turn.

Jaykay Fly was his closest pursuer for much of the contest but the flying finish of Ballycowen Frank ultimately saw him claim second spot, albeit three and a half lengths adrift of the never-threatened winner.

Con & Annie Kirby Memorial final - live on sisracing.tv Saturday