Black has very strong hand ahead of final race GREYHOUNDS
THE last novice stake of the year, the Roban Financial Christmas Unraced final, will be the feature event this week at Enniscorthy, and trainer Fraser Black has a very strong hand after winning both semi-finals last week with the Tom Horan, Co. Kidare-owned pair Maireads Vision and Grace recording very similar times of 29.06 and 04.
Grace would appear to be the fastest of the two, but her wide running tendencies may prove her downfall and the well drawn Piercestown Mile could well take full advantage as he stays very well as he quickly passed Maireads Vision after the line in his semi so any hold up for the latter could well prove costly as Mile will be coming home strongly and could snatch a popular win for the home runner.
On paper, this looks a three-runner race; a dangerous statement I know as finals can have some surprising results.
Race 5 The Roban Financial Christmas Unraced Final 21:00 Approx. (525 Yds. Flat):
Trap 1: Mulrankin Jet
Trap 2: Lu Lus Sunshine Trap 3: Nanny Nuala
Trap 4: Piercestown Mile Trap 5: Maireads Grace Trap 6: Maireads Vision Owner Andrew Sinnott,Taghmon, enjoyed a good week with his charge Nothingtosay as she recorded a nice win on the Monday night in Enniscorthy and followed up with a nice win in the first race in Waterford on Saturday Night.
The WKC Syndicate, Co. Carlow, also had a very good night on Thursday night last, recording a fine quick fire double with Karlow Mike in race six and Karlow Crean in race seven and these hounds have given them great sport over the season.
THURSDAYNIGHT
Race 1 - The Welcome to The Show Grounds Stakes (Grade: A4) Flat 525 - 1st: (Trap 3) Suzies Daisy (owners: Susan Nolan and Daniel Frayne, Wexford Town, 29.79); 2nd: ( Trap 4) Tomahurra Paws 0.75L.
Race 2 - The TrackSide Diner Five-7Five Stakes (Grade: A6/7) - 1st: (Trap 3) Rathvilly Dancer (owners: Patrick Doyle and Niamh Nolan, Co Wicklow, 32.94); 2nd: (Trap 2) Contessa 5L.
Race 3 - The Track Bar Five-2-Five Stakes (Grade: A5) - 1st: (Trap 5) Missions Luck (owner: Brendon Fortune, Wexford, 29.99); 2nd: (Trap 6) Carrigoe Billy 3L).
Race 4 - The Christmas A2/A3 Sweepstake Round 1 Heat 1 (Grade: A2) Flat 525 - 1st: (Trap 3) Ballinabola Luke (owner: Niamh Murphy, Balinabola, 29.73); 2nd: (Trap 4) Monamolin Bolt 1.5L.
Race 5 - The Christmas A2/A3 Sweepstake Round 1 Heat 2 - 1st: (Trap 1) Express Sparkle (owner: George Roche, Barntown, Co. Wexford, 29.57); 2nd: (Trap 3) Go Ellie Go, 2.5L).
Race 6 - The Christmas A2/A3 Sweepstake Round 1 Heat 3 - 1st: (Trap 6) Karlow Mike (owner: W K C-Syndicate, Co. Carlow, 29.58); 2nd: (Trap 1) Ballinabola Mia 4.5L).
Race 7 - The Christmas A2/A3 Sweepstake Round 1 Heat 4 - 1st: (Trap 6) Karlow Crean (owner: W K C-Syndicate, Co Carlow, 29.57); 2nd: (Trap 5) Blow Your Mind, 1L).
Race 8 - The Slan Abhaile Six Hun- dred Stakes (Grade: A2/3) - 1st: (Trap 6) GoQuickSaysMick (owner: Joseph Walsh, Tomhaggard, Co. Wexford, 34.11).
ENNISCORTHY
Race 1 - Welcome to The Show Grounds Dolls Race (Grade: A4) Flat 525 - 1st: (Trap 5) Geriannby 29.77.
Race 2 - The Track Bar Five-TwoFive Stakes (Grade: A6) - 1st: (Trap 3) Rathbally Ace 29.92.
Race 3 - The Roban Financial Christmas Unraced semi-final (Grade: N0) Flat 525 - 1st: (Trap 6) Maireads Vision 29.46.
Race 4 - The Let’s Win A Race In 2018 Stakes (Grade: A4/5) Flat 525 - 1st: (Trap 4) Mattys Coutinho, 29.92.
Race 5 - The Roban Financial Christmas Unraced semi-final (Grade: N0) - 1st: (Trap 6) Maireads Grace, 29.44)
Race 6 - The TrackSide Diner FiveTwo-Five Stakes (Grade: A5) - 1st: (Trap 4) Rains Tom Boy (owners: Noel and Margaret Freeman, Enniscorthy, 30.62).
Race 7 - The Ladies Five-Two-Five Stakes (Grade: A3) - 1st: (Trap 4) Nothingtosay (owner: Andrew Sinnott, Co. Wexford, 29.64).