FANTASY ADAM CAN STRIKE FOR IN-FORM DUNFORD KENNEL

Barry Drake

Fantasy Adam, for the kennel of Adam Dunford, can complete a hat trick of straight wins in the final of the €3,000 to the winner Bunty Cahill A2/A3 Memorial at Curraheen Park tonight.

The exciting September puppy caught the eye in the recent Denis Linehan Solicitors Open Unraced, and he has delivered impressive 28.45 and 2.47 winning performances in recent weeks. Trap six is not ideal; however, he has overcome wide draws the last twice. Another positive is that he has shown massive early gears the last twice and with another flying start, he should prove too strong. Trainer Adam Dunford enjoyed a wonderful treble in Youghal on Wednesday night.

Daring Diamond is a real danger for James Maguire. The early paced performer has delivered a couple of fine performances in recent weeks. He clocked 28.68 in winning last week, and from the rails pitch, he is likely to be in the mix throughout.

The semi-finals of the Shelley Fennelly Memorial Open Unraced Stake also take centre stage. In the opening semi-final, Rural Ana, trained by Graham Holland for owners the Scots Clan Syndicate, has the best of the draw in trap two. A narrow vote goes to the 28.41 winner from last week; however, she must produce a quick start in this line-up.

Runner-up in the recent Oaks final and a 28.25 winner last week, Clan Sapphire is another with leading claims for trainer Francis Murray. Owned by Howard Wallace, the classy performer has bundles of speed; however, she will need to be foot-perfect from the outside of the track.

Cosmic Dancer, trained by Brendan Maunsell for owner Joao Neves, was a real eye catcher in defeat behind Clan Sapphire last week, and she's a real player in this.

In superb form in recent weeks, Carrigeen Whit should make another bold bid from the front in the second semi-final. Trained by Thomas Buggy for Ann Paterson, the in-form tracker has delivered a couple of top-class displays around Curraheen Park. Last week, she beat a high-class field when leading early and staying on strongly to win, in 28.18. It was a performance of the highest order, and she's the one to beat on that running.

Lennies Dream, trained by Paul Hennessy for owner Lee Craze, went into the notebook last week, and the pacey tracker has massive claims from the inside of the track. A big run is expected. Of the others, Droopys Croia, trained by Johnny Linehan for owner Sean Dunphy, is another that enters calculations. 

In the Open Sprint, Princess Roise should go well for trainer Kieran Lynch and owner Vincent O'Keeffe. She has several big runs in the book, and if coming away on terms from the inside of the track, it will take a big performance to turn her over. Fahee Phantom, trained by Graham Holland for owner Kenny Glen, is also respected. A shade below his best in recent times, he is capable of a flying start, and he has the pace to feature.

Elsewhere on the card, Titanic Brads, trained by Graham Holland for owner James Campbell, is the pick in race number seven. The selection has won four of his 10 career starts, and he looks capable of going close in this. Leading early is a must, but he is expected to slip around in front, and he should take plenty of catching. In The Sunset, a fine winner last week, is next best for Sean Stilwell.