The top has a plot draw.

Puma would want to come away in from of Kingo and Mafuma.

Although it's bad for my pocket it would be good to see Puma do the Derby/Leger double

Having gone through the final i think the dog that could decide the result could be Kingo. He stepped right from 4 and was mid, mid to wide run up in the semi final. the previous round his immediate reaction from trap 3 was to come out to the right and the same in the round before from trap 1.

There was nothing between Puma and Kingo to the corner in the semi final but Puma was drawn inside. This time however they are the other way around and if they go to the corner together again can Puma get around him? Through the whole competition Kingo has had the better sectionals so there is a fair chance he will lead Puma or at least be with him to the corner.

All this leaves Priceless Sky surely to get a solo on the inside. He has been so consistant from traps in the competition (2.80 x 3 times and 2.85 when drawn 5) and with Kingo looking likely to leave him plenty of room he looks the likely leader. If he does turn in front the only dog i can see possibly picking him up is Puma (and even that is no certainty) so it's crucial for his backers that he has cleared Kingo early.

I'd have Priceless Sky shorter than the 5/4 on the draw. Puma looks the right price to me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cRBoMipwlE

20/11/2012
Everybody will be able to enjoy the action from the final of the Kerry Agribusiness Irish St Leger at Limerick on Saturday. It will be shown live on RTE News Now on Saturday night from 10.10 pm.

Viewers from around the world will be able to follow the action live on www.rte.ie. It can also be viewed on Saorview and UPC as well as via iPad, iPhone & Android.

The programme will run between 10.10 and 10.40 and will also include a review of the night’s racing.

“We see the lift that live TV & online creates every year with the key races from around the country”, said Imelda Cahalan.  “It is a great boost that Limerick will be broadcast live to not only to the nation but to a wider worldwide audience”.

“Kerry Group are long-time supporters of greyhound racing and their faith in the Irish St. Leger, and in Limerick Greyhound Stadium, will be repaid by opening the competition to a much larger audience on RTE News Now” added Cahalan.

Viewers across Ireland and around the world will be able to bet live into the race pools and the Jackpot on the night through the Irish Greyhound Board’s interactive betting website at www.igb.ie .

nal you have to take notice.

Her record in big finals in recent years is quite phenomenal and Kingo has been one of her best performers as he has won the last two runnings of the Betfair (or Hegarty) 600. He has also been a quarter finalist in the 2011 Irish Derby and also finished a length third behind Tyrur Big Mike in this year’s Easter Cup final.

He has been popping out smartly in each round of this classic and is well capable of being involved in an early bump with Skywalker Puma. Whatever, he is entitled to big respect.



PUMA READY TO POUNCE

In three is the champion himself, Skywalker Puma which is also unbeaten in the classic. Having won the Red Mills Champion Juvenile at Kilkenny, he next appeared in the first round of the Irish Derby at Shelbourne.

His was on an upward curve through the Derby and in the final he collared Cuil Cougar with that sizzling late run that saw him get up in the final strides.

He was slow to the bend in most of his Derby heats but he has been coming away much stronger in the Leger and he has really taken to the Limerick circuit. He is powerful from halfway and is virtually irresistible if within three lengths of the lead at the half mark. He is bidding to provide the O’Donnell kennel with a seventh St Leger and a first for owner Ray Patterson.



VERY CONSISTENT MAFUMA

Cashen Mafuma has been a hugely consistent performer for breeder and trainer Chris Houlihan and has mixed all his career in the highest company.

This is a second classic final for him this year after finishing behind Power Of God in the Produce Stakes final at Clonmel.

However there has been plenty of success also as he won the Rose of Tralee Stake and the Vetsearch Recharge 525 as well as the Macroom Motor Services Stake. He’s capable of going up well but has been finishing strongly in this competition.



A THIRD FOR OWEN?

The name McKenna is synonymous with the St Leger and Owen has taken over from dad Ger by winning the classic twice.

In the Eimear Coffey owned Tibetan Skies he has a dog with as much pace as any other greyhound in the final. His problem is that he doesn’t always put it to the best use.

In saying that he has been going up faster to the corner at Limerick than in previous outings and on paper he would look the major danger to the big two. Certainly, if there is any trouble up front then this dog is the one most likely to take advantage.



THERE TOTALLY ON MERIT

The longest priced of the finalists prior to the first round would have been Head For Fame and he remains the outsider going into the final.

But he has gained his final place totally on merit and his early pace makes him a threat to them all.

Brilliantly handled by Tommy Bolton for West Cork born owner Larry O’Rourke, Head For Fame loves the good run to the bend and was only overhauled around the bottom bends by Skywalker Puma in an earlier round. I don’t expect him to win but he can make his presence felt by the opening bend.



IN SUMMARY …

It’s probably too obvious but the likelihood is that Priceless Sky will lead to the bend and, likely, by further into the back straight.

It then depends on how quickly Skywalker Puma gets into second to launch his challenge. If he is not second by halfway it may be too late. The narrow vote goes to Priceless Sky to win from Skywalker Puma with Tibetan Skies in third.

How has Priceless lost from there!

Some run from Cashen Mafuma...found chunks on the clock.

om RPGTV now

Dan Chipowski     24 Nov 12 22:23 
How has Priceless lost from there!


Tell me about it

7 lengths turnaround on semi form, just makes you wonder sometimes

Winner is nuts, said it in a post well before the Derby, has raving pace.