Rural Kennels Unraced final 2026 - Runner-by-runner Guide

Photo from Clonmel Greyhounds X feed

Rural Kennels Unraced final

Clonmel on Sunday will see the final of the 2026 renewal of the Rural Kennels Unraced. won last year by Jennifer O'Donnell and The Other Wild, there were some smart types like Faypoint Ranger and Toolmaker Josepe behind and the 2026 final looks another strong contest.

Helen O'Dwyer continues her generous sponsorship of the competition with €6,500 to the winner. BOYLESports are the best price on all of the runners.

1 - Grouchos Cossie - Dave Bourke - Mr K O'Connell & Mr M Cosgrave - 25/1

A strong stayer over the 525y, he looks the type who is going to improve for the step up to six bends in time. His litter sister Ballymac Chantry was runner-up to Droopys Flare at the Winter Festival over 750y, and he shapes as if that will be his future. 

For now, he is just the type of dog who could keep on qualifying through multi-round competitions, picking up runners late on. This is probably a bit tough for him but he does strike as a nice long-term recruit.

2 - Gaytime Clyde - Graham Holland - Mr B O'Connell - 6/1

A litter brother to Debbie Calvert's Sole Focus, his trapping has improved with each of his three starts. Was two and a half lengths behind Jacktavern Alf in the quarter-final and four and a half behind his kennelmate Newinn Spot in the semis.

Has some work to do if he is to turn either of those runs around but it would not be the biggest surprise if he were to get himself on the podium. As with most in here, his chance is dependant on how he comes away. 

3 - Vivaro Warrior - Kenneth Busteed - Mr K Busteed - 9/2

The winner of both his quarter and semi-final, he beat Jacktavern Alf in the latter. That runner found a bit of trouble but he has now got the job done on the bunny as well as off the pace which is an excellent skill for a youngster to possess.

Bred on the same lines as Erica Samuels's super consistent Kereight Fraud, he too looks as if he could mix four and six bends at some point in the future. Dangerous if he can hold his position to the opening bend, 

4 - Newinn Spot - Graham Holland - Mr K Glen - 8/11

Improving at a rate of knots, he has taken time off his sectional and finish clock with each of the three rounds of this competition. He is going to have to fight to get his head in front early on in this one, especially from the widest draw that he has had.

He is the youngest in this field, only a June 24 whelp and already has the top times in the book from this field. A half-brother to Eclipse winner Newinn Syd, the potential is there for him to turn into something special.

5 - Jacktavern Alf - Adam Dunford - The Pillar Syndicate - 3/1

Was a hugely impressive winner of his quarter-final and if he had not found trouble in his semi then it would have made for a fascinating battle to the line between himself and Vivaro Warrior. A repeat of his 28.35 quarter-final run would make him a huge player here if he is able to overcome a draw as wide as he has ever been.

He is a litter brother to Tom Heilbron's speedy Toddys Wolf from a repeat mating that produced Ballinakill Alf the first time around. Another hugely quick performer, he was a former track record holder for Limerick's 350y trip as well as a winner on Winter Festival night and a finalist in the Juvenile Derby.

6 - Skywalker Bruno - Michael O'Donovan - Mr R Patterson - 14/1

Yet to get his head in front, chasing home Newinn Spot in two of the rounds and Jacktavern Alf in the other. He has done some solid work in those runs, including a 28.55 in his semi-final. That time alone suggests that he is an above average recruit. 

He is from a decent family which is well known to UK watchers, a half-brother to the likes of Antigua Kestrel, Stonepark Wes, Bockos Thunder et al. May need others to falter if he is to win this but he will be helped by the fact that he is the sole seeded runner.

Conclusion 

The break and run to the opening bend is going to be all important here with a field of unexposed types. Newinn Spot has been the best of them so far, the only unbeaten finalist, the way that he has improved his time with each round suggests that he is a very smart type in the making. 

He is unlikely to have everything his own way with the pacy Jacktavern Alf on his outside, with both of them perhaps drawn wider than is absolutely ideal. There should be an interesting battle on the inside with both Gaytime Clyde and Vivaro Warrior looking smart types in the making.

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