TOMORROW’S All-Ireland finals at Portmarnock will be fierce affairs. It’s worth making the effort to go along as the track will cease operating on December 11th, having been zoned as a memorial park for Fingal.

One minute it looks like there is a dearth of top-class pacers in the country and that all the talent is being sold to America. Then somehow it transpires that seven seasoned racehorses - all capable of beating two minutes - are pitted against each other for the 2022 All Ireland Pace. And any one of the seven runners in tomorrow’s All-Ireland Trot are capable of a 1.15km rate on a spacious track.

Irish harness racing’s link-up with LeTROT around 2012 has revolutionised trotting in Ireland but the favourite for the trot, Harry Knows, was foaled, broken and developed in Ireland.

Licenced bar, bookmakers and fast food facilities will be available. Portmarnock Raceway is off the R107 – turn in at Kinsealy chapel.

All-Ireland Pace

As the highest points earner in qualifying rounds Northern Pride gets to pick his post position and will almost certainly plump for number 1.

Will the smallish US-bred be the hare for the strong-finishing Churchview Frankel? Rhyds Rival has picked his fights over three seasons and runs best if he can get ‘on top’ (trotting language for the lead).

IB A Magician has ‘the Red Baron’, Billy Roche, in the bike who may regret teaching his young cousins McAleer and Joyce so well. Adam Corey has been driving out of his skin in recent weeks and Fairdays Western has won this twice before.

He is due to retire tomorrow. Beat The Clock is in pretty deep here, even with the wily Jonny Cowden in the sulky.

SHOULD WIN: Churchview Frankel. EACH-WAY SAVER: Cash All

All-Ireland Trot

Again, Patrick Kane will get choice of the gate positions and will probably pick the one hole. On all known form Harry Knows can stop, switch sulkies, and still win.

However, there are six fine racing brains amongst the other drivers. Some one of the rest will reckon their only chance is to get alongside the favourite and hassle him.

Will Patrick Kane let the challenger go on or will he keep them parked out? Bold moves are riskier with a trotter as even the best can gallop at times – so tactics will be all-important. Duc d’Arry is a class act and has won at the highest level.

Stable companion Bibi Dairpet always runs his race. The Cowdens deserve credit for qualifying for both pace and trot finals, but this is a big ask for Celui La Laye.

‘The wee mare from Ballyclare’, Feugeres Erem, has proven she can tough it out on the outside of a field, but she will need a trip. Columbia d’Oysse won the big pot at Lyre with a French driver and has Monsieur Richardson in the bike here. Epsom De Corvees has a turn of foot if he stays trotting.

SHOULD WIN: Harry Knows.

EACH-WAY SAVER: Columbia d’Oysse