HIGH STAKES AT CLONMEL AS TEN FINALS TAKE CENTRE STAGE

Peter Farrell

With the dust now settling on Clonmel’s ‘Festival of Racing’, there is still plenty to play for at the Suirside track with no fewer than nine sweepstake finals on offer.

The headline act on the card is the final of the Gerpats Kennels S3-S4 790, which is kindly sponsored by the Family of the late John White, and carries a winner’s purse of €1,100.

On the clock, there is very little to separate the finalists, with Emers Ted narrowly quickest for J.J and Emer Dunne. The October son of Grangeview Ten made every yard in atrocious conditions last time out and, on the split clock, looks the likely leader. The strapping fawn dons the black jacket in the decider and another swift exit could aid his chances of another all-the-way success. That said, it would be foolish to dismiss the display of Tooreen Rose, who chased home the aforementioned Ted last time out. The February puppy is very strong over this trip and is much better housed in trap two on this occasion. As a result, the daughter of Grangeview Ten gets the narrow vote. Of the others, Terrific Tonic came from the clouds to snatch a seventh career win last time out. However, conditions favoured the veteran on that occasion and she will need a much sharper exit to prevail. For those seeking a value angle, Youlldoadeal produced a solid effort when finishing strongly last time out and, as a May pup, remains open to significant improvement.

This Runs Deep ON3 525
Prior to the marathon action, the curtain-raiser sees an unraced decider up for grabs and Blackrose Livia is the one to beat on the strength of her debut success. Trained by Gearoid O’Brien, the daughter of Malachi posted a smart 29.33 when drawing clear and, with a level break, can maintain her unbeaten record. The main danger may come from Droopys Keelin, who finished strongly to go down narrowly last time out.

The Droopys Stud ON2 525
Spotty comes into the ON2 decider very much the one to beat after clocking a rapid 28.92 on debut for Tomas McLoughlin and Adrian O’Neill. The July ’24 pup scored by over nine lengths on that occasion and holds a clear edge on the clock over nearest rival Quivers Grange. The latter again looks the main threat, but it would be a surprise should Spotty fail to make it back-to-back wins.

Split The Pot S3/S4 Dual-Distance
The dual-distance sprint final sees the line-up step up an additional twenty-five yards, with Roman Emporer fancied to build on an impressive performance last weekend. The Paraic Campion-trained son of Lynchy Boy posted a swift 16.39 on that occasion and showed no indication that the extra yardage will pose an issue. Amorim also landed the spoils on his latest start for Owen McKenna and looks the chief threat from trap five.

Dangan Conor – Dog of the Year A5 Dual-Distance
An open A5 decider sees connections optimistic across the board, but the narrow vote goes the way of Newinn Tweety for Thomas Jordan of Thurles. An eye-catcher in defeat in the semi-finals, the brindle finished strongly after missing the break, and a sharper exit could see her go one better. Blackrosecyclone is well housed on the rail, however, and is likely to start favourite.

Poker Queen – Bitch of the Year A4 Dual-Distance
The second of the dual-distance finals sees Foxrock Laura head to traps as the one to beat for Brian Bowe. The daughter of Good Cody posted 30.38 over 550 yards and stayed on stoutly, suggesting the step up to 575 will hold no fears. Drawn in white, the pocket-sized lady can make all with a repeat of last week’s start. Stipe Jimboy is in a rich vein of form and benefits from a plum draw in red; should Ned Freeman’s charge get loose, he enters calculations.

Pete Hattemore – Male Owner of the Year A3 Dual-Distance
Annual Kaka showed no ill-effects from her tumble last time out as she stormed to a six-length victory in a fast 30.07. On that evidence, the Graham Holland-trained youngster already appears a couple of grades clear of her rivals and has a tidy draw in two to make it back-to-back wins. The daughter of Droopys Flytline has a bright future and, while the likes of Peteshesquick can serve it up, another polished performance is expected.

Public Trainer of the Year – Aaron O’Hanlon A2 525
Born Ranger shed his maiden tag in fine style in the semi-finals, drawing clear entering the back straight to score comfortably in 28.74. Jennifer O’Donnell’s son of Born Warrior is firmly on the upgrade and, drawn in trap two, can make it a quick-fire double. Emers Ann is not far adrift on the clock and rates the obvious threat for Emer Dunne.

Female Trainer of the Year – Frances Mullan A2 Dual-Distance
Another dual-distance final takes centre stage in race eight and there is little to separate the finalists, with all closely matched on the clock. Of the sextet, Gaytime Joachim showed plenty in defeat in the semi-finals and Brendan O’Connell’s charge may get that elusive victory at the fourth time of asking. Boltoflightning won well last time out for Aaron O’Hanlon and will be in the mix if reproducing that effort, while Mystical Ranger is another player, well housed as the sole wide runner in six.

Private Trainer of the Year – David Hickey A1 525
The final sees Callaway Danny bid to bounce back from a surprise semi-final defeat for Owen McKenna and Denis Murphy. Conditions are likely to be more favourable this time around and the son of Callaway Pro Am, a 28.52 performer at his best, can make the most of a good draw in five.