Ranger imperious in Kirby final as Holland makes it three in four

FAYPOINT RANGER  completed a brilliant unbeaten run through the event to claim the €80,000 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial final over 525 yards at Limerick.

Trained by Graham Holland for Patricia Flanagan, the 4/6 favourite trapped marginally behind Pain Barrier on his immediate inside but had that rival's measure well before the opening turn where he cut across Sole Mio to rake total command.

Having been forced to check and cannon into Pain Barrier, Sole Mio went hard after Faypoint Ranger but the result was never in any doubt as the Holland dog came home four and a half lengths to the good in 28.05sec with Bubbly Charger another four lengths back in third.

The winner was crediting Holland with a third victory in the Classic in just four years following the victories of Swords Rex in 2022 and Clonbrien Treaty 12 months later.  

The Kirby Memorial sponsorship by JP and Noreen McManus also extends to the local Gaelic sports community with this year's winning nominators Ballybrown GAA picking up €10,000.