SORLEY O’DORNAN SEMIS FEATURE AT CLONMEL

Peter Farrell

The semi final stages of the Sorley O’Dornan Memorial 525 serves as the highlight at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium tonight and Vernon Mist will hope to cement his status as the one to beat for P.J Quinn and Gerry Holian

A terrific winner in 28.69 last time out, Vernon Mist proved a class apart as he romped to an eight and a half length victory for connections. On that form, the son of Ballymac Cashout – Ballymac Sanjose is a serious contender for outright honours and should prove too hot to handle for his rivals tonight. Drawn in trap three, should he reproduce his 2.82 sectional from last weekend, he will have no issues leading the inside pair and he should then manufacture a healthy lead thereafter. Should there be any shocks, the Thomas O’Donovan-trained Grantstown Tas looks the most likely to capitalise. He came from last to first last time out to record back-to-back victories and he will relish his trap one berth.

In the second semi final, Knocknadoguestar is fresh off a third victory from just six starts last weekend and she wouldn’t need to improve too much on her 28.85 clock. On that occasion, the daughter of Ballymac Cashout – Flaminhasntabob made every inch of the running to justify her 4/5 favourtism, however, she has a trickier draw this time around in four. Of her rivals, Emers Ariel caught the eye with a powerful finish last time out for Emer and J.J Dunne, while don’t discount Madams Dream, who has a good draw on the fence for Adam Dunford and Thomas Condon.