SPOT REMAINS UNBEATEN BUT ALF QUICKEST
Peter Farrell
The second-round heats of the 2026 Rural Kennels Unraced 525 took centre stage at Clonmel on Thursday night, with several impressive performances on display. Newinn Spot again impressed with a flawless run, although Jacktavern Alf went quickest on the night.
On a stacked card that also featured the second-round heats of the John White Memorial A3/A4 525 and the opening-round heats of the Sporting Press Online Edition A1/A2 550 (see separate story), the standout was a notable treble for the renowned Pillar Syndicate, who claimed two of the four heats in the prestigious Rural Kennels Unraced.
Of the pair, it was Jacktavern Alf who went quickest, with the Adam Dunford-trained star building brilliantly on his 28.60 victory in the opening round. Penciled to run in heat three, the red-hot contest also featured the likes of Callaway Danny and Oriental King, but in truth ‘Alf’ was never under any serious pressure as he made every inch of the running. Drawn in trap three, the son of Pestana - Newinn Madam was much sharper into stride this week as he pinged the lids to post a rapid 2.82 sectional. In doing so, he had his rivals playing catch-up from the outset as he flew into the opening bend in control. Holding a three length lead into the back from Gaytime Clyde in second, the latter made little inroads as the leader stormed into the penultimate turn, posting a sensational 15.91 sectional. In charge by four and a half lengths at this point, ‘Alf’ stuck to his task expertly in the closing yards and although shortening his stride in the final twenty-five yards, he still cantered to a two and a half length victory over Gaytime Clyde in second. The final qualifying position went the way of Grouchos Cossie in second. The time was a brilliant 28.35.
15.86 SECTIONAL FOR SPOT
Just slightly behind on the clock, but no less impressive, was Newinn Spot, who continues to look a serious prospect for Graham Holland and Kenny Glen.
A winner on debut in a smart 28.47, Newinn Spot had clearly put manners on his rivals on that occasion and faced just three opponents in the concluding heat of the night. Drawn ideally in trap one, ‘Spot’ wasted no time getting to work, bursting from his rails berth to showcase his electric early speed. With traffic developing in behind, the son of Tommy Shelby–Newinn Mimi quickly opened up an unassailable ten-length advantage before stopping the clock at the third bend in a phenomenal 15.86 sectional.
Sealing a superb solo performance from the June puppy, Holland’s charge powered up the Clonmel hill to cross the line eleven lengths clear of Skywalker Bruno, with Saqqara booking the final qualifying spot in third. The time was 28.42.
VIVARO GOES QUICK
The second-round action got off to a blistering start as Vivaro Warrior put his rivals to the sword to emphatically justify his 1/2 starting odds.
Kenneth Busteed’s runner had not been disgraced when chasing home Newinn Spot previously and clearly took plenty from that run. Drawn in trap four, the fawn produced a slick exit and, with significant trouble unfolding at the opening bend, the son of Deerjet Sydney–Right So Belle quickly established a commanding lead. From there, he galloped majestically to score by ten and a half lengths from Rallying Billy, with Mustang Fashion claiming the final qualifying position. The time was 28.46, a very likeable performance from Busteed’s charge.
BULL TURNS THE TABLES
The Pillar Syndicate completed a notable double in heat two as Jacktavern Bull produced a powerful late surge to get his head in front.
Drawn in trap two, Jacktavern Bull was sluggish at traprise but showed fine courage at the opening bend to defend his rails position and force his way into contention. Sitting third early on, he had four and a half lengths to make up on Emers Ann, who was dictating matters up front and looking to build on her narrow success last time out. However, the David Byrne-trained runner shifted through the gears impressively from halfway, setting up a thrilling finish. With Emers Ann still in control inside the final twenty-five yards, ‘Bull’ launched a determined rails challenge and got up right on the line to score by a short head. Emers Ann was a gallant second, with Ballycahane Ace taking third. The time was 28.89.
The draw for the semi finals of the 2026 Rural Kennels Unraced was made shortly after and is as follows :
1st semi finals
T1 - GROUCHOS COSSIE
T2 - JACKTAVERN BULL
T3 - RALLYING BILLY
T4 - JACKTAVERN ALF
T5 - VIVARO WARRIOR
T6 - BALLYCAHANE ACE
2nd semi finals
T1 - GAYTIME CLYDE
T2 - NEWINN SPOT
T3 - MUSTANG FASHION
T4 - EMERS ANN
T5 - SAQQARA
T6 - SKYWALKER BRUNO