Hennessy: distance betting `an insult'.

Byline: MICHAEL FORTUNE

MANY of the bookmakers at Shelbourne Park tonight may not bother to price up the final of the John J Casey Open 575, instead opting to price the winning distance. Such is the dominance of Serene Rumble, the brilliant son of Smooth Rumble, that he could start as short as 2-9 for the spoils.

It is quite a prohibitive price when you consider that his rivals have won between them two Easter Cups, a Tote Gold Cup, two Euro Off Track 600 titles and 68 races in total.

Of course, Late Late Show won the majority of the events mentioned and the `Peoples' Champion' is not getting any younger, at almost four-and- a-half years of age

Serene Rumble and Late Late Show have met on just two occasions, with the former coming home five lengths clear both times. In their first clash, excuses could certainly be made for Late Late Show as he wasn't best prepared. But many would find it hard to make excuses for his run in last week's semis when he emerged in second spot as they entered the back-straight, less than three lengths down on his rival.

That said, Paul Hennessy has a special way with `Himself', and this scribe would not rule out a bold showing from the veteran. Hennessy feels the same way.

"Paddy Power are betting on the winning margin in the final," he said. "But I think that's an insult to my auld fellow. I've given him a couple of stiff gallops in the last week and he's bouncing, he's ready to rock."

In a final line-up with such quality, it seems ludicrous to narrow it down to just two dogs, but such is their brilliance that victory for any other bar the big two in the market would be a major surprise.

Diego Glory ran, arguably, the best race of his life when collaring Late Late Show for second spot in last week's semi-final. On that occasion he finished five lengths behind Serene Rumble, but it is difficult to see him getting that close this week, despite an ideal draw in the stripes.

Winetavern Taz is talented and, with an ideal draw in one, is entitled to run a big race. However, third spot is probably the best he can hope for. Haliska Vienna sprang a major shock when winning last year's Euro Off Track 600 at 20-1, although history is unlikely to repeat itself tonight.

The final spot in the field is reserved for Empire Nikita. Much credit must be given to his handlers, Marie and Des `Skippy' Gilbert, who nursed this tracker back from serious injury, and who has repaid their patience by making the decider. But he will be a massive price despite his fine showing in the semi-finals, and it is difficult to see him getting involved.

That brings us back to Serene Rumble. It is hard to believe that the sensational black has only had 13 races when you consider what he has achieved. Apart from winning the Vodafone Grand Prix, the September 2000 whelp has also reached the Derby semi-finals, won the Chronicle Bookmakers Invitation 575 and broken the national record for 575yds with an unbelievable 30.83sec run.

He is a greyhound with the potential to become one of the all-time greats; he has brilliant early foot, superb back-straight pace and an abundance of stamina, and simply cannot be opposed. The flying black can lead home Late Late Show and Diego Glory on his way to claiming the EUR10,000 winner's purse in front of a bumper crowd.

nClonmel will be the focus of attention tomorrow where the second round heats of the Irish Greyhound Board Unraced Stake is the feature.

Fastest opening round winner was The Other Domino, but there were plenty of other more promising performances. It should be an intriguing night's racing.