UNATTACHED WINS A THRILLING FUTURE CHAMPION DECIDER

Ian Fortune

Not for the first time in recent years, the final of the Future Champion & Michael Fortune Memorial threw up an incredible finish at Enniscorthy on Monday night.

Unattached provided a small shock when emerging triumphant for Eddie Dobbs but fully deserved his success, holding a number of his rivals in a tremendous finish.

Indeed, less than a length separated the first four home with Unattached getting up in the final strides to deny long-time pace-setter Ciaras Treasure. It was an enthralling contest but one greyhound that never got a chance to figure was Happy Jet after stumbling at traps.

In contrast, Ciaras Treasure flew into the turn to assume control. The favourite was Priceless Romeo but he made a tardy start and this left him vulnerable to traffic. Ciaras Treasure turned with two lengths in hand but he was always going to be vulnerable from the second turn.

Unattached was only third into the turn but he ran a tremendous corner to slip around in second. That left him in the perfect position to strike and he set his sights on the leader. Altesse Clifford was third with Priceless Romeo back in fourth.

Ciaras Treasure maintained his two length advantage to the third turn but Unattached was too close. Priceless Romeo also made a move into the third turn but failed to get up the inside of Unattached and was forced to check, costing him his chance of victory.

Ciaras Tresure did all he could to hold on out front but he ran out of steam on the run in, leaving Unattached to get up in the final stride. Eddie Hobbs’ son of Zero Ten and Mary The Thief would get up to win by a short head from Ciaras Treasure in 29.15. Priceless Romeo was just a half length away in third while Altesse Clifford was just another head back in third.  

COMFORTABLE PLATE VICTORY FOR REBEL

Earlier on the card, Rebel Ash was a far more straightforward winner of the Whitewood Kennels Plate decider for JJ Fennelly.

The son of Broadstrand Bono and Change Me shot to the front in the early yards before going on to win by three lengths from Boylesports Gold in 29.17.