SENSATIONAL FROM SPOT IN RURAL KENNELS SEMI FINALS
Peter Farrell
Newinn Spot has taken the 2026 Rural Kennels Unraced by storm and, despite testing weather conditions at Clonmel on Friday night, he produced yet another sensational performance to romp home in his semi-final assignment.
Trained by Graham Holland for Kenny Glen, Newinn Spot has showcased phenomenal early speed throughout the competition and that was evident in the second round when he posted a blistering 15.86 to the third bend. However, his semi-final display was arguably even more impressive given the atrocious conditions. Drawn in trap two, the powerful 80lb performer pinged the lids once again, quickly assembling a two-length lead on the run-up from kennel companion Gaytime Clyde. Turning the opening bend in fine style, the 1/2 chance opened a six-length advantage within a couple of strides, with his rivals unable to live with his scorching gallop to halfway. Posting a superb 15.94 sectional in bottomless conditions, the son of Tommy Shelby – Newinn Mimi had the contest wrapped up early and, despite his stride shortening in the closing yards, he still crossed the line a decisive four-and-a-half-length winner. Gaytime Clyde followed his kennel companion home in second, with Skywalker Bruno securing the all-important third qualifying spot. The time of 28.60 .40s was an outstanding performance on the night.
WARRIOR STRIKES
The opening semi-final proved a messy affair but that should take nothing away from the eventual winner, Vivaro Warrior (6/4).
The lovely fawn, owned by Kenneth Busteed, had been a brilliant winner of his second-round assignment in 28.46 and was rightly regarded as one of the leading contenders, despite the presence of Jacktavern Alf, a 28.35 scorer last time out. The latter was sent off the 11/10 favourite and showed good early dash from trap four to set the pace, with Rallying Billy in close attendance. However, the complexion of the race changed approaching the penultimate bend as trouble loomed. With Jacktavern Alf hampered, Vivaro Warrior seized his opportunity, shooting to the front rounding the third bend. From there, he drew clear in the closing stages to score by a comfortable four-and-a-half lengths. Jacktavern Alf recovered well to claim second, while Grouchos Cassie finished strongly to take third. The time was 29.00 .40s.
Rural kennels unraced 525 final
T1 - GROUCHOS CASSIE
T2 - GAYTIME CLYDE
T3 - VIVARO WARRIOR
T4 - NEWINN SPOT
T5 - JACKTAVERN ALF
T6 - SKYWALKER BRUNO
*****
TURBO-CHARGED PERFORMANCE
While Jacktavern Alf was forced to settle for second in his Rural semi-final contest, the Pillar Syndicate did have reason for celebration in the John White Memorial semi-finals.
Jacktavern Turbo has really excelled since arriving at Clonmel and the David Byrne-trained charge was expected to take plenty of beating after posting a rapid 28.38 last time out. Installed as the 2/5 favourite, the son of Droopys Sydney – Queen Lily built on that victory in outstanding fashion, decimating his rivals to score in virtual isolation. Running from trap three, ‘Turbo’ lived up to his name at traprise, pinging the lids to post a lightning-fast 2.83 split. Holding a six-length advantage down the back straight, Byrne’s tracker upped the ante in the second half of the contest, drawing clear to cross the line a commanding nine-and-a-half-length winner from Lemon Maverick in second. The time was a superb 28.63 .40s.
The second semi-final was claimed by Arrow Twirl, who made it back-to-back wins on the card for owner Andrew Lawlor.
A 3/1 chance, Arrow Twirl failed to break fluently from trap four and found himself closer to the rear in the early exchanges. However, with traffic problems developing at the head of proceedings, the son of King Sheeran – Annual Review took full advantage, producing a strong finish to take over approaching the final bend. From there, Lawlor’s charge galloped on powerfully to score by three lengths from Dower Holly in second. The time was 29.00 .40s.
*****
EXILE SETS THE SPORTING PRESS STANDARD
The opening couple of races on the card saw the semi-finals of the Sporting Press Online Edition A1/A2 550 take place and it was Sure Exile who set the early standard.
Owned by Andrew Lynch, Sure Exile had also landed his opening-round assignment and was expected to prove difficult to beat, a view reflected in his 5/4 market favouritism. Wearing the white jacket, ‘Exile’ broke with real intent and rounded the opening bend clear of Hollyhill Keano in second. Setting a strong gallop down the back straight, the son of Broadstrand Bono – Glowing Exile did drift wide off the final bend, but it mattered little as he crossed the line a solid six-length winner from Swift Pallas. The time was 30.11 .10s.
In the opening semi-final, Canavour Bucko also made it back-to-back victories after going quickest in the opening round with a slick 30.14.
Trained by Pat O’Connell for John and Mark Lyons, Canavour Bucko was sent off the 5/4 favourite but was forced to play second fiddle early on behind the fast-starting Chaotic Maus in trap five. However, that advantage was short-lived as Canavour Bucko quickly surged past his rival to establish a clear lead down the back. Staying on stoutly thereafter, the son of Dromana Bucko – Parkview Trudi crossed the line two-and-three-parts of a length clear of Chaotic Maus in second. The time was 30.30 .10s.
*****
MEL BOUNCES BACK IN DUNFORD MEMORIAL
The semi-finals of the Tommy & Bridget Mary Dunford Memorial Bitch 525 also featured on the card and Bushpark Mel returned to winning ways with a determined performance for Graham Holland and the Upstairs Club Syndicate.
A finalist in the Bernard Barry AAO 525 at the end of last year, Bushpark Mel had suffered a shock defeat in the opening round but there was to be no repeat on this occasion as she came from off the pace to win decisively. Sent off the 1/2 favourite, ‘Mel’ didn’t break as fluently as usual but showed real pace up the inside to round the opening bend a clear second behind Lone Calling in trap three. A ding-dong battle ensued between the leading pair, but it was Bushpark Mel who found more rounding the final two bends. Taking charge on the run for home, the daughter of Malachi – Please Blossom crossed the line one-and-three-parts of a length clear of Bogger Callie in second. The latter was a major eye-catcher, flying home from some ten lengths adrift to finish at a rate of knots. The time was 28.84 .30s.
In the first semi-final, the Adam Dunford-trained Imokilly Roxanne made it back-to-back victories as she justified her 4/6 favouritism.
Owned by Michael O’Driscoll, Imokilly Roxanne had shown a different string to her bow last time when coming from off the pace, but she reverted to her usual front-running style here, bolting from trap two to establish a healthy early advantage. Opening a three-length lead down the back, that margin quickly doubled by halfway as the daughter of Coolavanny Hoffa displayed a striking turn of pace. With the hard work done, ‘Roxanne’ stayed on well in the closing stages to cross the line four-and-a-half lengths clear of Evenstar Lady in second. The time was 29.07 .30s.
*****
TED MARGINALLY QUICKEST IN GERPATS MARATHON
The semi-finals of the Gerpats Kennels 790 produced two closely matched affairs, with Emers Ted, trained by Emer Dunne, recording the marginally quicker performance.
A noted strong finisher over the slightly shorter 730-yard trip, Emers Ted (Grangeview Ten – Emers Sally) was expected to race prominently and the 5/4 chance made every post a winner. Drawn in trap three, ‘Ted’ broke best from his middle berth and held a three-length advantage passing the winning line for the first time. Renowned stayer Tooreen Rose moved into second after the opening lap and looked a serious threat as she reduced the deficit to just a length around the final two bends. However, Emers Ted dug deep in the closing yards, showing real determination to prevail by three-parts-of-a-length. The time was 45.33 .40s.
The second semi-final was claimed by Terrific Tonic, who made a remarkable recovery to register a seventh career success for owner Rhys Fortune.
Well into her fifth year, Terrific Tonic found herself a distant last in the early exchanges and was still some twelve lengths adrift after the opening circuit. However, the daughter of Droopys Cain – Vinegarhill Toni went into overdrive passing the 300-yard traps, steadily eating into the lead with every stride. A thrilling finish unfolded as Terrific Tonic flew home in the closing yards, reeling in Barnfield Molly before edging out Youlldoadeal by a neck. The time was 45.76 .40s.