WIDE-OPEN NORTHWEST GREYHOUND SUPPLIES FINAL AT LIFFORD

Peter Farrell

There’s a valuable €2,500 prize on offer at Lifford Greyhound Stadium tonight as the final of the Northwest Greyhound Supplies A3/A4 525 takes centre stage. It looks a wide-open contest, with a strong case to be made for virtually every finalist.

The draw has added another layer of intrigue and, on balance, Santiago gets the narrow vote. A decisive winner in 28.85 on a track rated 20 slow in last weekend’s semi-final, the July pup, owned by Georgina Gibbons, produced a powerful display and looks to have landed a favourable draw in trap two. On his immediate outside is Pharis Syd, who moved alarmingly wide at the opening bend in the semi-finals. Should he repeat that tendency, it could hand Santiago the room he needs to secure a dream passage around the opening turn. By contrast, Drumnafern Balor, who would have been my selection after his impressive 28.90 (.20s) success last weekend, has not been handed any favours by the draw. Eugene Skeffington’s November youngster has emerged as one of the real stars of the competition, possessing a huge engine and plenty of untapped potential. However, from trap four, he may need to produce a lightning-fast break to clear the runners inside him before the first bend. Ballymac Topper is another with live claims for owner Richard Grieve. The improving bitch displayed excellent backstraight pace in the semi-finals to challenge Santiago and has progressed with each round of the competition. The slight concern is that she remains without a career victory and, from a wide draw in six, another clear passage will be essential. Brocks Your Man is another major contender for the partnership of Aoife Kiely and Brian Maguire. After clocking a slick 2.64 sectional en route to an estimated 28.70 success in the semi-finals, he looks ideally housed in trap one. The son of Flickofacoin possesses sprinting early pace and appears the most likely leader. If securing the rails and dictating matters from the outset, that advantage could prove decisive in a final that lacks an abundance of proven stayers. Completing the line-up is Smurfing Deele for local owner Eunan McBride. A model of consistency throughout the competition, he has filled the runner-up position in both rounds to date and pushed Brocks Your Man all the way in the semi-finals. Like several of his rivals, however, the son of Broadstrand Bono will require a smooth passage into the opening bend if he is to mount a serious challenge.

It is a very strong final and there would be few surprises whichever greyhound comes out on top. Slight preference, however, is for Santiago to tuck in behind Brocks Your Man through the opening exchanges before using his finishing power to strike late. That said, don't be surprised if the progressive Drumnafern Balor produces a huge run should he break on level terms.