THRILLS AND SPILLS IN BOYLE SPORTS LIFFORD OAKS OPENER

Peter Farrell

The opening round heats of the BOYLE Sports Lifford Oaks saw the biggest crowd of the year pack into the northwest venue and those in attendance weren’t disappointed, witnessing a string of impressive performances across the heats.

Indeed, it was a night of roles reversed, with many of the big-hitters failing to make the expected impact, while several dark horses came to the fore to outline their outright claims. On the night, it was Singalong Polly that set the standard as she lowered the colours of recent Irish Derby finalist Magical Mag.

Trained by Pat Buckley for Gilbert Anderson, Singalong Polly (Grangeview Ten – Mystical Luna) came into this event with just two career starts under her belt; however, she produced a performance of real maturity to make the journey home a short one for her handler. It didn’t look likely early on for ‘Polly’, as she occupied the last position leaving the traps, with Beebees Princess and Magical Mag both breaking with intent from traps two and four respectively. While ‘Beebees’ held a narrow lead entering the back, the Connacht Derby winner was hot on her heels and Pat Guilfoyle’s charge swept to the front passing the sprint boxes to assert. Meanwhile, Singalong Polly railed like a cat into third and was the eye-catcher at the midway point, moving to within one and a half lengths of the leading duo. With Magical Mag creating daylight around the penultimate bend, Polly went into overdrive, storming into second and setting up a thrilling finish. It was nip and tuck on the run for home, however, the hill was to prove the undoing for ‘Mag’ as Singalong Polly continued to progress before crossing the line a short-head clear of her half-sister in second. The final qualifying spot went to Durrow Star, with the time a brilliant 28.56, the fastest of the round.

RAMPANT RIDDLE

Magical Sapphire was all the rage in the opening heat of the night; however, it was Innfield Riddle who stole a march to run out a smart winner for Barry Clancy.

A finalist in the Sporting Press Irish Oaks earlier this year, Innfield Riddle donned the black jacket in this contest and, while she broke a close second behind Brickhill Moana, she quickly excelled on the run-up to assert. In doing so, the daughter of Ballymac Best and Ballymac Ariel tracked expertly to shoot into a six-length lead over Brickhill Moana in second. Despite being carried wide at the opener, Magical Sapphire began to unwind her challenge, improving smartly into third before advancing into second passing the sprint boxes. However, she still had five lengths to find as Innfield Riddle continued to set a scorching gallop out in front. Chasing a third career win, ‘Riddle’ sealed the deal thereafter, staying on well to cross the line two and a quarter lengths clear of Magical Sapphire, who was a big eye-catcher in second. The final qualifying spot went the way of Blue Belle, who lost little in defeat after a far-from-straightforward passage. The time was a rapid 28.77.

DETERMINED TANGO COMES UP TRUMPS

Heat two saw Hackney Tango installed as the 1/2 favourite, and she duly obliged for Michael Taggart and the Hackney-Boys-Syndicate.

A recent track record-breaker at Dundalk in 28.07, Hackney Tango is one of the outright favourites to land the Oaks and it’s easy to see why as she produced a determined performance on her first Lifford start. Drawn in one, ‘Tango’ made full use of her inside berth; however, she was forced to play second fiddle on the run-up as Fridays April was electric from trap six, recording a phenomenal 2.50 sectional. Taggart’s charge was quickly back on terms, storming to the front passing the sprint boxes to assert. In doing so, the daughter of Jacob Tashadelek opened a two-length lead and looked certain to run out a comfortable winner. Fridays April wasn’t done yet, however, and came back for more late on. Paul Whyte’s tracker was a little unlucky to be forced to switch stride close home, which proved decisive as Hackney Tango crossed the line with one length to spare. Daleroad Mya was never far off the pace for Pat Guilfoyle, finishing just a further length back in third. The time was 28.63.

UNA FINISHES WITH A FLOURISH

Heat three was arguably the standout on paper as both Glengar Martha and Westway Rossa locked horns; however, it was Ashway Una, owned and trained by Ciaran O’Reilly, who emerged triumphant after coming from off the pace to score.

Imokilly Roxanne was expected to feature prominently in the early exchanges, and things went to script early doors as Adam Dunford’s charge pinged from trap two to lead. Westway Rossa raced up menacingly in second, and the Damian McGinn-trained runner turned just one length adrift of her rival entering the back. At that point, Rossa looked the most likely winner. Meanwhile, Ashway Una sat a close third, holding off Glengar Martha, who missed the kick and looked in danger of early elimination. With the leading pair going toe-to-toe down the back, space was at a premium entering the penultimate bend. As the two came together, the eye-catching Ashway Una swept around the outside to storm to the front rounding the bottom two bends. From there, it was no contest as Una powered to the line, crossing with five lengths to spare. Magical Poppet ran on strongly to grab second, while the luckless Westway Rossa was forced to settle for third. The time was 28.72.

*****

AVENUE QUEEN A CLASS ACT

On the supporting card, Avenue Queen produced a brilliant display to set the standard in the opening round of the NWGOBA A5/A6 525.

A June ’24 pup, Avenue Queen had caught the eye in defeat last time out, and despite falling short on that occasion, she broke her maiden in fine style this time around. Owned by Brian Robinson, ‘Queen’ took control early from Starcash Barry and the daughter of King Elvis – Avenue Ana quickly established the lead down the back. While Tumble Bumble showed a strong turn of pace to close rapidly, Avenue Queen held on to cross the line a neck clear. Her finishing time of 28.85 was a superb effort for one so young, particularly in light of the Oaks clocks that followed.

RANGER SETS THE STANDARD IN A3

The final stake to kick-start on the night was the Northwest Greyhound Supplies A3/A4 525 and it was Ballybun Ranger that held the mantle of the quickest heat winner.

Trained by Alan Byrne for Adrian McGlinchey, Ballybun Ranger ran a strong race in defeat over the sprint distance last time out, and that experience stood him in good stead as he blew the lids off to take command early from trap two. In doing so, the son of Ballymac Bolger built a healthy advantage down the back and although kennel companion Ballymac Jedgar was closing fast late on, ‘Ranger’ held firm to win by a length. The time was 29.01, and while Ballybun Ranger did nothing wrong in making every yard, ‘Jedgar’ is the one to take from this contest after a very eye-catching display in second.