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Blonde ambition to derail brunettes

Blondes may have all the fun in the real world, but when it comes to the Rose of Tralee bubble even this apparent unchangeable, historic fact can be easily turned on its head.

New figures supplied by number-crunchers Paddy Power show that, despite what the international claim might suggest, brunettes are the most regular winners of the annual Kerry event.

According to the bookmaker, 45 of the popular festival’s 53 previous winners have been dark-haired, with just eight blondes taking home the highly prized accolade from the Kingdom.

The news may be worth noting for the thousands of people around the world who are set to bet considerable amounts of cash on this year’s prospective Roses.

Before the 2012 instalment of the event kicked into gear with the Gala Rose Ball in Tralee’s Festival Dome last night, the Roses were whisked away on a week-long tour of Ireland, met their escorts, and were teamed up with their young “rosebud” girl helpers.

Dublin Rose Arlene O’Neill, Luxembourg’s Nicola McEvoy, Mayo’s Dervla Kenny, and Cork’s Bríd Ryan are all among the bookies’ early favourites to take over from 2011 winner, Dublin-born Queensland Rose Tara Talbot — with hope springing eternal for a Kerry winner as local girl Ann Marie Hayes remains in the top 10.

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