SEMI-FINALS NIGHT IN KILKENNY’S CHAMPION UNRACED
Ian Fortune
Twelve of Ireland’s best and brightest young prospects will be in action at Kilkenny this evening hoping to secure their place in the final of the Champion Open Unraced next Sunday, April 26th.
Both semi-finals are hugely competitive and there is little room for error with any mistakes, however small, likely to prove very costly in the pursuit of the €15,000 prize.
COLEY TO REMAIN UNBEATEN
Karol Ramsbottom and Robert Gleeson are both double-handed in the opening heat with the former holding a particularly strong hand.
Ramsbottom’s Kapuka Coley is unbeaten in the competition and will look to remain so from a favourable draw in trap four.
With his kennel companion Uncle Jim likely to edge inwards in the early yards, the powerful son of Sober Glory could find himself with room to race into the bend. If turning close to the pace, he could again emerge as a serious contender given his immense pace from the second turn.
Uncle Jim can’t be dismissed either. The massive son of Droopys Sydney and Derby champion Susie Sapphire has fine pace and power but will need to secure a rails pitch in the early stages.
That won’t be straightforward with Carrick Becks certain to go up fast along the fence, while Fun Time Max is far from a back number in two.
Toolmaker Wanabe has shown enough in recent outings to suggest that he is on an upward curve. If he finds a start from the outside box, he too could get involved. Ballyhooly Cliff completes a talented line-up. He was well-beaten in both outings to date but is open to much improvement.
Kapuka Coley is clearly very talented and with the draw in his favour seems likely to make a bold bid. He is chosen to emerge on top at the expense of his kennel companion Uncle Jim and the possible pace-setter Carrick Becks.
AVENGER TO STRIKE
The second heat is no less competitive with both Croydon Avenger and Glengar Phantom coming in on the back of an impressive second round victory.
Cill Dubh Cothal’s form ties in with both. He was narrowly beaten after a protracted battle with Glengar Phantom last week, while he led from the start to beat Croydon Avenger in the opening round.
All three greyhounds have strong claims and much will depend on the early exchanges. Cob A Job, Grouchos Frank and Goldcash Legend complete the line-up. All three have shown ability but need to be at their very sharpest to land a telling blow.
Instead, it’s best to focus on Croydon Avenger, Cill Dubh Cothal and Glengar Phantom in search for the winner. Croydon Avenger is a little brother to Kapuka Coley and he too has outstanding claims. He was hugely impressive last week, leading early to emerge a comfortable winner.
The Pat Barrett trained star is drawn on the right side of his two main rivals and could get first run if starting on terms. There is a strong chance that all three will be contesting the early lead but Croydon Avenger is selected to turn in front before leading home Glengar Phantom and Cill Dubh Cothal.
MISSION CAN LAND GEORGIE LEAHY MEMORIAL
The final of the valuable Georgie Leahy Memorial is a little later on the card and it could go right down to the wire with Mission Control selected to score from an ideal draw in six as the sole wide seed.
He was narrowly beaten into third in the semi-finals when third to Comer Shark and Arrigle Out.
Semi-final winner Killough Bird is drawn in four for the first time in her career and could potentially step inwards. If doing so, she could leave Comer Shark tight of room in three. This could all play into the hands of Mission Control. Expect the Mick English trained son of Daves Mentor to turn close before making a decisive move down the back straight.