STARS OF THE FUTURE TO SHINE AT KILKENNY

Ian Fortune

The Champion Open Unraced has long been the starting point to future greatness with so many superstars emerging form the famous competition through the years. This year’s stake gets underway at Kilkenny this evening and a boosted winner’s purse of €15,000 has clearly attracted an ever better entry than normal.

Each of the seven opening round heats are packed with well bred youngsters, boasting superb trial form, representing the biggest kennels in the land. It’s certainly not an easy night to pick out winners but it will be unmissable for the right reasons.

WHAT A START

The opening heat features Broadstrand Syd who went faster than any other entry in the competition in qualifying when posting 28.41 around Curraheen Park last November. He was little more than fifteen months at the time and didn’t reappear until his latest trial when stumbling at traps.

If he can produce anything like his first qualifying trial, he will be a huge player but his task is far from easy. Toolmaker Note has a 28.73 spin around Newbridge and I clearly very talented, while Dynamic Force, Julies Gem, Hogan Stand and Moanteen Wildcat have all shown ability in trials. It’s an incredible starting point for the competition and should set the tone for a majestic night of action.

HARBOUR COULD BE ANYTHING

Neko Harbour is the latest member of the Droopys Sydney/ Susie Sapphire litter to hit the track in Heat 2. Representing Owen McKenna and Peter Comerford, he has moved well in trials and is worthy of respect but too are Curly, Good Rory and Harry Houdini.

CLUES APLENTY

Lion Heart, a litter brother to Neko Harbour, lines out in Heat 3 and is amongst the heading fancies, although so many have claim in this contest. Born Racer, Ventry Faith, Serene Warrior and Glenfadda Meabh are all bred to be fast and have shown enough in qualifying to give their supporters hope. Picking a winner is nearly impossible but it could be safe to suggest it will be won in a fast time.

A HEAD SCRATCHER

Heat 4 is another head scratcher. Good Dash, Cushie The Best, Ballybough Nutz and Jacktavern Gem all were the fastest of the six in qualifying but choosing between the quartet is not easy. Each are open to further improvement and a tentative nod goes to Ballybough Nutz from the draw.

THELAD APPEALS FOR LIAM

Ballymac Thelad posted a superb 18.71 in his latest trial at Shelbourne Park and is clearly a leading hope in Heat 5 for Liam Dowling. Of his rivals, Deadly Disco, Blanchflower and Droopys Fluff are very well bred and open to any amount of improvement.

TIGER TO POUNCE?

The penultimate heat of the round is another conundrum. Sawdust Tiger has moved with purpose in qualifying and can clearly have a say for Murt Leahy from an ideal draw on the fence but many of his

rivals have also show ability. Kilara Inferno boasts the best trial form on offer but others including Ardera Sam and Marginforerror are open to much improvement.

A FITTING FINALE

The final heat is very similar to the opening heat with so many potential stars on show. In terms of trial form, Hopes Teddy and Greenmount Bale have gone faster than their rivals. Hopes Teddy is a younger full brother to Ballinabola Ed and his latest 28.54 return at Limerick is very eye-catching.

Greenmount Bale clocked 28.69 around Shelbourne in his latest trial and is clearly another with obvious claims. Of the remainder, Green Brigade, Dev and Sober Star have all gone fast, while Swift Jagrati represents Graham Holland will also likely improve on trial form.