KNOCKNADOGUE CAN STAR IN SORLEY O’DORNAN DECIDER

Peter Farrell

After three competitive rounds, the final of the 2,500-to-the-winner Sorley O’Dornan A3/A4 525 concludes at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium tonight and Knocknadoguestar is expected to complete a clean sweep in the stake.

Kindly sponsored by the Family and friends of Sorley O’Dornan, Knocknadoguestar is very much on an upward trajectory and she arrives fresh from a career best 28.63 in last week's semi finals. Owned by the Don’t-Know-Syndicate, the daughter of Ballymac Cashout – Flaminhasntabob has been flawless up to this point and the trap draw in the decider has only enhanced her chances. Drawn perfectly in trap one, her sub-2.80-sectionals are far superior to her rivals and it would be a shock should she not make it five wins from just eight starts. Of her chief rivals, Grantstown Tas looks like the one that could ask questions of the favourite. The Thomas O’Donovan-owned black won the first two rounds, however, was arguably more impressive in the semis when finishing well after a troublesome passage. He will don the white jacket tonight and the son of Dorotas Wildcat could spring a shock. Emers Ariel had no answer to Knocknadoguestar in the semis but is another that could make the frame for J.J and Emer Dunne. She has a 28.91 to her name around Clonmel and she will need to call upon a personal best if she is to upset the apple cart. The other semi final winner last weekend was the Paul Hennessy-trained Taylors Tipple. He too has landed two of the three rounds thus far and showed great determination to claim victory in 29.11 last time out. The white and blue is closest on the early sectional clock to the favourite so his chances rest on dictating early doors. Of the remainder, Born Sunny has shown ability up to this point but will need a career best effort to land the spoils, while Swift Vestige will be finishing with a wet sail but whether he can nestle into a favourably position around the opening bend remains to be seen.