SORLEY O’DORNAN MEMORIAL SET FOR THRILLING FINISH AT CLONMEL
Peter Farrell
Kindly sponsored by the O’Dornan Family and friends, the final of the Sorley O’Dornan Memorial A3/A4 525 serves as the highlight on tonight’s Clonmel card and Young Tiernan is set to go off as a warm favourite ahead of the €2,250 decider.
Owned by Michael Walsh, Young Tiernan is in the midst of a purple patch at present and he comes into the decider as the only unbeaten runner in line-up. A powerful son of Pat C Sabbath, the brindle is seeking a fourth straight victory later tonight and he has plenty in hand in terms of the clock.
A 28.63 winner of his opening round assignment, this was followed up by 28.79 and 28.76 and despite facing a very tricky draw in trap six, he should have too much for his rivals if trapping on terms. Indeed, ‘Tiernan’ will be donning the striped jacket for the first time in his career, however, he has the sectionals to get loose early and this being the case, he can prove too hot to handle.
Of his rivals, look no further than Lucky Lane in four. Owned by John Joe Mulcahy, the daughter of Skywalker Logan tasted defeat for the first time in the stake last time out, however, lost very little in defeat as she made up eye-catching ground when on the brink of elimination. That performance was arguably more impressive than her prior two victories and she is a strong player ahead of this valuable renewal.
Out Yonder landed the other semi final last weekend and the David Hickey-trained runner produced a fine display in clocking 28.89 off the front. On that occasion, the daughter of Jaytee Taylor bolted from trap two and she will need to produce something similar from the blue jacket this time around in order to play a part.
Tiermana Sugar is also capable of making the frame. The Michael O’Sullivan-owned tracker is still learning her trade as a March whelp, however, is very reliable at traps and has the ability to dispute the early running.
Again, like Young Tiernan, the trap draw in five is a negative, however, a ping break and traffic in behind can aid her chances.
The remaining finalists are Foxrock Bob and Chief Sydney. The former is without a win in the stake, however, wasn’t disgraced in behind Young Tiernan last time out when dipping under 29-second in estimated terms. Drawn well in one, Canice Hyland’s dog is the outsider of the party but it wouldn’t be a massive surprise to see him take home a podium spot. Meanwhile, Chief Sydney may well be still searching for a first career win, however, this fellow has plenty of gears and will carry support.
The son of Droopys Sydney, trained by Kevin McLean for Patrick O’Herlihy, had dictated in his last two starts before being collared late and he is another with the potential to bang out in front. Drawn favourably in three, ‘Chief’ is the most in-experience tracker in the line-up with just the seven starts under his belt so the scope is very much there to improve and he is the dark horse of the line-up.
Selection – Young Tiernan