EAMON GLEESON MEMORIAL DECIDER FEATURES AT CLONMEL

Peter Farrell

There is a tidy €2,200 up for grabs at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium tonight as the final of the Eamon Gleeson Memorial A4/A5 525 takes centre stage, and Blueway Vinnie will bid to crown an unbeaten run through the stake with victory in the decider.

Kindly sponsored by Doris Gleeson, this has been a fiercely contested event and Blueway Vinnie has proved ultra-consistent, posting 28.92 and 28.94 in his two outings thus far. The October son of Dromana Bucko has used his early pace to great effect in both rounds and will relish a favourable draw in red tonight. His sectionals suggest he is likely to dictate and, if hitting the front, Michael Ryan and Thomas O’Neill’s charge has shown that he is tough to peg back. That said, he will not want Triangle Musashi on his shoulder approaching the penultimate bend. The December puppy has really caught the eye throughout the stake with his powerful finishes and one suspects he will be shedding his maiden tag sooner rather than later. Nicholas Nolan’s runner is drawn in three tonight and, while breaking poorly of late, none will be finishing faster and that makes him a major threat. Candy Froma Baby is another with claims from trap two. Nigel Quinn’s runner won her opening-round assignment in 29.11 and, although headed late in the semi-finals, she lost little in defeat and remains a player. Of the others, Colligan Clara has a decent draw in the stripes and will look to go back-to-back after landing her semi-final, while Soft Mint and Emers Mabel are bang in contention on the clock and it would be no surprise should either make the frame.

ORDERLY QUEUE TO OBLIGE

On the supporting card, the semi-finals of the 1XBET A1/A2 550 also feature and Orderly Queue should take plenty of beating in the opener.

Jointly owned by Liam Cahill and Tony Lacy, Orderly Queue produced a strong front-running performance last weekend and that victory could be the catalyst for better to come from the son of Koblenz. Very well drawn in two tonight, don’t be surprised if he dips under the 30-second barrier granted a clear passage. His rivals include Uisce Beatha, who won last week in 30.12, and Marlhill Jennie, who finished strongly behind Orderly Queue in the opening round.

TRUMP GETS THE VOTE

The second semi-final can see Kevinsfort Trump make it eight wins from just sixteen starts for Peadar Kinane and Paraic Campion. The son of Ballymac Cashout won convincingly in 30.14 last weekend and has a kind draw in three, where he is likely to feature prominently from traprise. That said, there is plenty of early speed in opposition, with Badminton Chopin and Squinty Maginty both capable of getting involved. Throw Jaytee Dallas into the mix and this is a wide-open semi-final in which a case can be made for several.