OAKS AND MARATHON FEATURE ON TOP CLASS CARD IN DUBLIN

Ian Fortune

Another huge crowd is likely to journey to Shelbourne Park this evening for what should be a tremendous night of racing action.

The final of the Shelbourne Marathon and the second round of the Bernard Barry Christmas Oaks are the undoubted highlights, although there are also some very useful trackers on show in the opening round of the Thanks To Our Sponsors A0 550.

A MIGHTY MARATHON TO SAVOUR

The final of the Shelbourne Marathon over the 850yd trip is the fifth race on the card and nothing will come easy.

Certainly, the semi-final action highlighted that anything can happen over the extended trip will both contests going down to the wire.

In fact, the furthest any of tonight’s six finalists were beaten last week was two lengths and while there was a big difference between the winning clocks, that can be explained due to the amount of traffic in the opening heat.

The betting is a clear indication of what we said above with the fastest and slowest semi-final qualifiers sharing favouritism despite the fact there was some twelve lengths between the pair on the clock.

Priceless On Ice lines out in red and is deservingly amongst the favourites after dipping under 48 seconds last weekend. She made full use of her middle pace and strength to emerge on top despite the best efforts of Magical Poppet. She has obvious claims.

Killacolla Hill is the other disputing favouritism. She encountered enough traffic in her semi-final to last her a lifetime and still somehow managed to qualify in third. If she gets a clear run at the corner, it could be a very different scenario this evening.

In her final start prior to this competition, she posted new figures for the 800yd trip around Limerick while she also made a bold bid for glory at the WRF a week earlier. Michael Fitzgerald’s bitch is a serious player.

But this contest is about more than just the top two. The aforementioned Magical Poppet is capable of racing prominently, while Ashmar Una and Droopys Comrade will finish with purpose. Even the rank outsider, Tooreen Rose could have a say.

It was her that went up fastest in last weekend’s opening semi-final, forcing Killacolla Hill to check her stride. The mere presence of Tooreen Rose in three is a concern for the big two in the market as she won’t surrender track position if finding her way to the front.

It's a really fascinating contest but slight preference is for Killacolla Hill. If she does avoid Tooreen Rose in the opening yards and get to the front, she would be very difficult to reel in. Priceless On Ice is a massive danger and can chase her home in second with Ashmar Una given the nod for third.

MORE OAKS GLORY SEEMS LIKELY FOR TEAM HOLLAND

After a clean sweep in the opening round, sending out each of the five heat winners, Graham Holland can again expect plenty of glory in the second round of the Bernard Barry Christmas Oaks.

Certainly, it seems very likely that his Riverside Kennels operation will send out the favourite in each of the three heats.

MEL TO GO FASTER

With four to qualify there is a little bit of room for error but the cream is expected to rise to the top.

The opening heat is an interesting affair. Bushpark Mel made a successful return after a layoff to win in 28.60 last week and is likely to go faster tonight.

She can confirm superiority over the fast-finishing Singalong Polly but A Lucky Julie is greatly respected. The 2024 Oaks champion has shown signs of a return to her brilliant best in recent runs and it would be no surprise to see her go very close. Bushpark Mel will be a warm favourite from a kind draw in two and is selected to lead her rivals home but A lucky Julie could push her close.

FREYA READY TO STEP UP

Defending champion Silverhill Freya will be favourite to give Holland another winner in Heat 2.

She takes on fellow opening round scorer and kennel companion Riverside Popsie, while Lone Calling is seen as the most dangerous of the remainder.

Silverhill Freya gave the impression last week that she was going to come on for the run and if she comes away racing five, could quickly stake her claim. Lone Calling has a kinder draw than Riverside Popsie and is seen as the main danger.

TINA MUST BE AT HER BEST IN RED-HOT AFFAIR

The final heat is arguably the best of the three. Puppy Oaks champion Ballydoyle Tina was magnificent in the opening round, showing great pace from the second turn to emerge a facile winner.

She is set to head the betting for Graham Holland but needs to be on her toes in the early yards with the speedy Imokilly Roxanne drawn on her immediate inner.

Throw in the powerful Rural Ana, who got back to winning ways last week, the talented duo of Droopys Bundle and Magical Hope and the Laurels champion Magical On Fire and it stands out as perhaps the race of the night.

Magical On Fire found early traffic last week but absolutely flew from the second turn. She is a serious player and would have been disputing favouritism if drawn closer to the fence. She will need a fast start but is greatly respected.

Ballydoyle Tina is the one to beat, however. She is going to a classic contender in 2026 and has the pace to match the best in training. With a clear passage to the turn, she could emerge as the one to beat.