RURAL KENNELS UNRACED TAKES CENTRE STAGE IN RED-HOT CLONMEL CARD

Peter Farrell

In a change from their usual schedule, Clonmel will host racing tonight with a brilliant program, including the second-round heats of the Rural Kennels Unraced 525, alongside the John White Memorial Guys and Dolls 525.

The highlight of the evening is the 2026 Rural Kennels Unraced 525, following a first round that featured some standout performances across five heats. The most eye-catching debut came from the Graham Holland-trained Newinn Spot, who clocked a blistering 28.47. Owned by Kenny Glen, the son of Tommy Shelby and Newinn Madam was flawless on debut, claiming victory by five and a half lengths and particularly impressing from the halfway point. Tonight, Newinn Spot will line up in trap one for the final heat of the evening, a tough contest with rivals including kennelmate Rallying Cash. However, the promising newcomer has the ideal draw to make it back-to-back wins, although he may need to overcome Rallying Cash, who posted a fast 2.83 sectional last time out. Rallying Cash, a son of Ballymac Cashout, won his opening round heat in a strong 28.68 and will be looking to challenge again from trap three. It's a battle that could see another strong result for Holland, though Skywalker Bruno, trained by Michael O'Donovan, may have other ideas. The son of Dromana Bucko was very encouraging in defeat last time out and could push for victory here.

KING CAN LAND RED-HOT HEAT

The third heat of the night is shaping up to be a particularly hot contest, with the vote going to Oriental King.

The son of Coolavanny Hoffa, owned by the Organised-Chaos-Syndicate, made a big impression on debut, coming from behind to win in 28.65. His ability to power past his rivals down the back straight suggests there's more to come. Among his competitors, Callaway Danny and Jacktavern Alf will be the main threats. Callaway Danny, trained by Owen McKenna, won his opening round heat in 28.52, showing off impressive early speed. If he can repeat that form, he’ll be a serious contender to stay unbeaten. Meanwhile, Jacktavern Alf, who triumphed in 28.60, brings more experience to the table, but will face a sterner test in this tougher heat.

VIVARO GETS THE NOD

The opening heat of the night doesn’t feature any heat winners, but Vivaro Warrior, who finished second in round one, looks a strong contender.

Trained by Kenneth Busteed, this strapping fawn came through from mid-pack to finish just behind Newinn Spot. The son of Deerjet Sydney has plenty of promise, and with a better draw inside, he could be poised for victory. Brideview Oslo, trained by Graham Holland and owned by Sheena Murphy, will be a strong challenger after finishing third behind Jacktavern Alf in his debut race. He will be much better placed in trap six tonight and should improve from that performance. Another to watch is Mustang Fashion, who was a gallant second behind Oriental King last time and should be in the mix again.

BULL FASTEST BUT MARTY GETS THE VOTE

Heat two features Tromora Marty, who will look to bounce back from a third-place finish in his debut.

Despite missing the break with a slow 3.03 sectional, Tromora Marty showed great pace to recover and finish strongly. Drawn in trap four tonight, he’s likely to improve at the start and could set the cat amongst the pigeons if he gets away cleanly this time around. The selection, however, is just ahead of Jacktavern Bull in trap two, who finished a narrow second to Callaway Danny in round one, clocking 28.54 in defeat. Jacktavern Bull is expected to play a key role in this heat and certainly has the bragging rights in terms of the clock. That said, one suspects there is much more to come from Tromora Marty, and we could see that tonight. Of the others, Annual Kaka, Emers Ann, Chasing Paul and Ballycahane Ace all have a bit to find and they will likely battling it out for the remaining qualifying position.

*****

JOHN WHITE MEMORIAL HEATING UP

The second round heats of the 2,500-to-the-winner John White Memorial Guys & Dolls features on the undercard and the Pillar Syndicate boast a strong hand heading the heats tonight.

In the opener, Jacktavern Turbo is certain to go off favourite after comfortably seeing off his rivals in a rapid 28.68 last time out. The David Byrne-trained blue-brindle once again dons the favourable red jacket and he is certainly on an upward curve as he bids for a third win from just seven starts. Goldmine Bono reopposes for Dick Purcell in five, while Mystical Ranger recovered from a poor start last time out and David Flanagan’s charge can have a big say from trap six.

Mind Your Knee made every inch of the running for Paraic Campion and Vincent O’Keeffe last time out and the classy brindle shouldn’t be too far away once again in heat two. The son of King Sheeran clocked a rapid 2.83 early doors on that occasion and should he repeat that, he will surely dictate. Of his rivals, the youthful Cloughtaney Joy cannot be dismissed in trap one. The son of Newinn Taylor is just a July pup but has already shown clear ability for Anthony Noonan.

The second of the Pillar runners comes in heat three as Jacktavern Beaut lines out in trap four. A winner in 28.66 from off-the-pace in round one, the daughter of Good Cody looks to have plenty up her sleeve as a June pup and an improved effort is likely. This being the case, she should prove too hot to handle for her rivals. Burgess Bonnie should strip fitter and is a possible leader in trap two, while Whitegate Pest is in fine form of late and can enter calculations from a plum draw on the fence.

In the final heat, Mustang Havoc can build on a good performance last time out when second to Jacktavern Beaut. On that occasion, Stephen Bourke’s runner set a blistering gallop, off a 2.85 split, and anything close to that should suffice this time around. Drawn in two, the April 24’ whelp can make it two wins from six starts. Of her rivals, Florican Heights made an encouraging debut at Clonmel for Matthew Murphy and will be staying on well.