TRAPRISE - Merlin wizardry secures Leger, with Magical ending at Limerick

POSSIBLY harbouring the richest depth of quality in its illustrious history, the 2021 renewal of the Matchbook Betting Exchange Irish St Leger concluded at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday last and crowned a most deserving champion as Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Merlin (Vulturi-Ballymac Belle) came out on top following an epic tussle with Deerjet Sydney.

The latter Pat Buckley star was bidding to add to his 2020 English Derby success and led by over a length to the backstraight. In hot pursuit with clear racing room however, remarkable pace at the midway point saw Ballymac Merlin range alongside the pacesetter with a daring run on the rails and striking the front at the closing bends, the Kerry raider would secure the €30,000 winner's prize in a three-quarter length verdict over the gallant Deerjet Sydney while posting 29.68 for the 550-yard classic trip.

The big night at Limerick did not pass without a local winner to cheer and rounding out a programme of exceptional performances in support out the St Leger, the concluding Droopys Stud A0 575 saw Donal Guilfoyle’s Magical Poppy (Confident Rankin-Cabra Twister) bounce back to winning ways in emphatic fashion.

Supremely talented, if still seeking a settled level of consistency, the August 2019 whelp had been held with poor starts in recent outings since last successful in her sensational 28.19 over 525 yards at Limerick in September. Getting it right at traps this time however, the Pat Guilfoyle trained powerhouse could almost be called a winner on the run to the first bend when immediately seizing the lead following a swift exit from trap 5.

Turning in advance of 600-yard specialist Pierno, that exalted rival gave game pursuit while just a length adrift to the third bend but staying the extended four-bend distance very strongly, Magical Poppy powered clear on the home-straight for a commanding three length verdict while posting a fast 31.29.

Adding to the kennel haul over the weekend, Alice Guilfoyle’s remarkable veteran Magical Jasper (Head Bound-Laughil Louise) continues to revel within his successful racing campaign and proving as good as ever into his fifth year, the Moneygall stalwart was up to his career best form when registering a stunning 21st career win at Galway on Saturday.

Always versatile over four-bend distances, the July 2017 whelp was housed in trap 4 for the AA0 550 and breaking a half-length off the pace, the old boy relished the long run to the opening bend when displaying the best dash for a one length lead upon turning. Extending to over four lengths on the run to halfway, victory was as good as secured before repelling a strong staying rival with three and three-quarter lengths to spare in a brilliant 29.93 (-20).

Power and Jet set for Thurles final clash

The semi-finals of a warm Bonus Ball A2 525 Stake were the feature of the Saturday fixture at Thurles last weekend and returned a brace of local winners, who will take leading claims to a very open final this coming weekend.

Fastest of the entire card while landing the opening semi in dominant style, Abigail's Power (Belles Direction-Geelo Lu Lu) extended his wonderful run of form for young owner Abigail Morrissey, with a third win from his latest four outings.

Settling for third in the opening round of the event a week earlier, the August 2019 whelp broke on level terms from trap 3 and displaying sharp early dash, repelled first round heat winner Cabra Veyron for command of the rails at the opening bend. Extending while turning, the Morrissey pacesetter stretched to two lengths at the second bend and maintained that same margin all along the backstraight. Never seriously threatened when seeing out the trip stoutly thereafter, Abigail's Power retained his two-length lead to the line in a smart 29.36 (-30).

The second semi-final was won in similar fashion as trainer John Byrne guided John Ryan’s Private Jet (Droopys Jet-Sidarian Fern) to victory when also progressing from an opening round third while leading throughout a third career win.

Breaking just off the pace, the October 2019 youngster showed smart early pace as the inside seed overcame a wide draw in trap 5 and reaching the bend with a tight one length lead over Cooneen Mick, readily extended to a four-length advantage on the run to halfway.

Completing with the minimum of fuss thereafter, Private Jet held three and a half lengths over his nearest pursuer in 29.55 (-30).

Our local duo have been drawn side by side in the rails boxes for Saturday’s final and much will depend on the break, for both are capable of leading to the first bend if swift to stride. With benefit of the trap 1 however, Abigail's Power earns a narrow vote in a possible local forecast!

Rounding out the weekend winning action, the PJ Tynan trained Hillstreet Jack (Superior Product-Rathroe Dancer) returned from a short layoff to register his fifth career success over the 300-yard sprint trip at Clonmel on Sunday for owner Terence Maguire.

Last successful over the same distance in S4 grade back in August, the April 2018 whelp took his opportunity in S3 this time and very quick to exit trap 5, immediately took command throughout the initial exchanges. Relegated to second when finding a rival rushing up on his inside at the opening bend, the Ballingarry charge responded in wonderfully game fashion and recovering from half a length adrift on the outside, regained the lead in the dying strides for a thrilling half-length verdict in 16.65.