STARS TO EMERGE IN KILKENNY’S CHAMPION

Ian Fortune

Those taking an active interest in proceedings at Kilkenny this evening should have their notebooks ready as a number of potential superstars take their first steps towards future greatness in the opening round of the Champion Open Unraced.

The famous competition, which is worth a whopping €15,000, has been a stepping stone to classic glory for many greyhounds through the years and this year’s event will be no exception. Michael O’Donovan has certainly targeted the event in recent years, winning the last two renewals with the hugely talented duo of Serene Ace and Another Holiday and, as you’d expect, he is back with a couple of intriguing runners.

BRO AND STYLE

The first of the O’Donovan duo is the intriguingly named Style.

The son of Droopys Sydney lines out in Heat 5 and is clearly worthy of respect after posting a quick 16.34 in a recent sprint trial at Kilkenny. The Murt Leahy trained Droopys Bro went even faster in a recent sprint outing, however, and is perhaps the one to beat in this contest.

SYD FACES SOME USEFUL RIVALS

Michael O’Donovan’s other runner is Stonepark Syd in the final heat.

He too has some mighty impressive trial form, while he is also bred in the purple as a half-brother to O’Donovan’s former star Dromana Bucko.

He won’t have things all his own way in the final heat as Graham Holland sends out the promising Unreal Bruiser, while Forest Paddy has some very impressive trial form also.

A WONDERFUL COMPETITION

The very nature of unraced competitions make it difficult to predict anything with any real confidence but each of the eight opening round heats are packed with well-bred youngsters, representing the top kennels and boasting some superb trial form.

Whatever happens tonight, there is no doubt we will be hearing plenty about this crop of greyhounds for a couple of years to come. We will report on what should be a fascinating opening round in the morning.