Sean Murphy / 11 December 2008 Free Bet

There will be a very local feel to the final of the Golden Jacket which takes place this Sunday at Galway. There are three Galway owned finalists and these three dogs dominate the betting in this €35,000 to the winner decider. Like the Laurels and Waterford Masters finals, this final will be televised live by Setanta Sports.

Trap 1

Full Bloom ( Late Late Show - Tamna Rose)
A strong stayer who is from a top class litter. Has some fine form in Shelbourne Park from this box and looks nicely housed in Trap 1. Has won two heats of this competition already but well held in semi final when 8 lengths behind Tyrur Lee.

Trap 2

Tyrur Laurel ( Top Honcho - Tyrur Fiona)
A winner of 20 races in open company this top class tracker needs no introduction. This veteran performer was the 2007 Derby & Laurels Runner up and few would begrudge him this fine purse. Has the ability to go up well but get the feeling that he will find one too good for him.

Trap 3

Slick Spiral ( Pacific Mile - Always on Air)
The most inexperienced finalist who will be running only his eleventh race. Has done really well to make the final as he has yet to win a heat and was well beaten in his semi final by Tyrur Lee. Will be an outsider but has a shrewd trainer in Pat Buckley.

Trap 4

Mardocs O Shea ( Go Wild Teddy - Hoffmans Ticks)
The race sponsor Denis O Connell and his son, Cian, own this son of Go Wild Teddy. Mardocs has reached the final unbeaten and will be vying for favouritism with Tyrur Lee. This early pacer has won nine of his seventeen races and is well drawn in Trap 4 from where he was most impressive in the semi final.

Trap 5

Kerrydale Celt ( Premier County - Shalome)
Had a big reputation coming into this sweepstake and has upheld the high opinion some shrew observers had of him. Would be a real contender if he could only trap a little better. Showed great back straight pace in the semi final to get within a length of Mardocs O Shea.

Trap 6

Tyrur Lee ( Brett Lee - Tyrur Dee)
This amazing veteran certainly looked the part in last Saturday's semi final with another stunning performance when winning comfortably in 31: 16.Although this greyhound is over four years of age he has been outstanding in this classic, remains unbeaten in this competition and has now won his last seven races. The dog is a real credit to his owner/trainer PJ Fahy who has brought this dog back from serious injury and is running better than ever now.

Summary

A confident vote has to go to the veteran tracker Tyrur Lee. Has been simply sensational in this competition with some superb split times and has the other runners well held with a best of competition 31:12 in the Quarter final. His draw in Trap 6 is my only worry but he has already proven he can win from this trap earlier in the competition. Mardocs O Shea deserves huge respect with an unbeaten run to the final but faded badly over the last fifty yards last week. PJ Fahys other runner Tyrur Laurel should make the frame and I fancy him to follow Full Bloom home in third

Recommended Bets:

4 pts win T6, Tyrur Lee

Trio: 6, 1 & 2.