JUST TWELVE REMAIN IN RURAL KENNELS UNRACED

Peter Farrell

There will be plenty of buzz around Clonmel this weekend with the events on field, however, the semi finals of the Rural Kennels Unraced 525 is sure to attract a large crowd in its own right and that serves as the highlight at the Suirside venue tonight.

The event has proved hugely competitive up to this point and just twelve remain in their quest to land the €7,000 first prize on offer. Toolmaker Josepe set the standard last time out with a brilliant 28.39 performance and he lines out in the second semi, where he can ill-afford any slip-ups.

Indeed, Graham Holland will account for fifty-percent of the second semi final, however, Toolmaker Josepe remains the likely favourite for Robert Gleeson. Drawn in trap two, the choicely bred son of Droopys Dancer went one better than his second place finish in the opening round as he took off from the halfway mark to win by an extending five and a half lengths. On that evidence, there is little doubt that William Hyslop’s charge is a leading player, however, he must sharpen up at traprise and nestle into a favourable position in the exchanges if he is to secure back-to-back victories. The lead is likely to be contested by the Graham Holland duo of Faypoint Ranger and Blossoms Syd. Both trackers have been outstanding up to this point as they have both dipped under the 28.50 mark in prior rounds. The former, owned by Patricia Flanagan was relentless last time out when making all to clock 28.44 and he could set a blistering gallop from a smart draw in three. Blossoms Syd, meanwhile, remains unbeaten and holds the mantle of the fastest sectional (2.85) in this contest. If he reproduces that, Justin and Pat Muldoon’s star will race prominently and he is very strong at the business end, which could be ominous for his rivals. Throw into the mix the incredible fast Borna Parachute, who is another that will be finishing with a wet sail, and Newinn Vision who has done nothing wrong up to this point, and this has all the ingredients of a fascinating contest. The remaining runner is Cloncunny Flash in six, who will be seen as the outsider of the pack despite dipping under 29-seconds in both starts to date. If anyone needed an indicator as to how hot this competition is, then that statistic alone fits the bill.

ALL ABOUT WILD BUT BEWARE OF SCHAR

In the opening semi final, all signs point to The Other Wild maintaining his blistering career start for Jennifer O’Donnell and the Born-Wild-Syndicate.

One of only two unbeaten runners left in the stake alongside Blossoms Syd, The Other Wild was impressive on debut, however, went to another level last time out as he bolted from traps to post 28.60. On that occasion, the son of Ballymac Wild clocked a 2.80 sectional and that is far and away superior to his rivals tonight. As a result, ‘Wild’ looks a guaranteed leader in the stripes and is a worthy favourite to seal the hat-trick. Of his rivals, the Graham Holland duo of Snazzy Boss and Brideside Bill are likely to go well. The former showed explosive early speed last time out after a moderate start and could give The Other Wild a run for his money if trapping on terms, while Brideside Bill may have had no answer to Toolmaker Josepe last time out but lost little in defeat and remains a strong player. Skywalker Schar, however, could be the main threat. Trained by Michael O’Donovan for Ray Patterson, one suspects we haven’t seen the best of the son of Ballyhimikin Jet up to this point. His qualifying efforts are stunning and although he has been well beaten in both starts to this point, he has had his excuses. Drawn in three, don’t be surprised if he throws a spanner in the works. Of the remainder, Getup Me Girl is well drawn in red but will need luck for Mark Robinson, while Ballintee Roxy was much improved last time out but is another that will require luck in running in order to make the decider.