Midtown Raffa looks the one to beat in the final of the Irish Independent Laurels over 525 yards at Cork on Saturday.
The Kerry runner has won three times during the competition so far and last week produced his best run to date when making virtually all to hold Drive On Royal by a head in 28.38sec.
Mossie O’Connor’s dog’s performances in the early rounds had been workmanlike but last week’s performance was nearer to the 28.18sec he produced in the first round of last year’s Laurels.
He is expected to assert from halfway.
If top local bitch Drive On Royal was to turn in a good position it could make things interesting.
Thomas O’Donovan’s bitch was only beaten a fast diminishing head by Midtown Raffa last week but faces a harder midfield draw in the final.
She is a winner of 11 races at the track so will have plenty of support as the chief local runner.
Knocktoo Garry is the only unbeaten runner in the final.
Neilus O’Connell’s dog looks certain to lead up as he has done in each round and did clock a best 28.33sec in the heats.
Despite winning he hasn’t got near those times since but is seldom beaten when getting on the bunny.
Frances O’Donnell’s Skywalker Echo hasn’t won during the stake and often gives himself too much to do with moderate starts but does have a good draw in trap one.
Local runner Burgess Rumble is also one of the outsiders. The close railer has an awkward draw in trap five but has won four of his ten races when drawn in the orange jacket. He boasts a best time of 28.43sec.
John Kiely’s Mimis Ace has the worst of the draw in trap six. He’s the youngest in the line-up and does finish strongly and if there trouble up front he will be flying at the finish.
1 Skywalker Echo 10
2 Midtown Raffa 7-4
3 Knocktoo Garry 4
4 Drive On Royal 3
5 Burgess Rumble 12
6 Mimis Ace 5
