TRAPRISE - Mary can be Magical in Mullingar showdown

The 2022 RPGTV Irish Cesarewitch was reduced to a final six in a sizzling semi session at Mullingar on Sunday last and despite a first defeat in the competition, Pat & Alice Guilfoyle’s Magical Mary (Droopys Jet-Mystical Moll) can be fancied to secure a fifth victory in the 600-yard classic for the prolific Moneygall kennels.

Fastest in each of the opening rounds, Magical Mary was a warm favourite to remain unbeaten ahead of her semi-final assignment but with a moderate start from trap 1, lack of clear passage saw the prodigious talent forced to settle for second behind trap-to-line winner Beaming Scarlet for Corona Ryan.

The latter early pacer took a strong two-length lead to the opening bend as Magical Mary and Glendalough duelled for second while turning, with the Guilfoyle darling ushered back to a three length third at the top of the backstraight. That trio would subsequently fill the placings but again displaying her brilliant backstraight pace, Magical Mary attempted a daring passing move on the inside at the third bend before finding the door firmly shut by the leader when markedly checked. Leading into the home stretch, Beaming Scarlet was all out to repel a rallying Magical Mary nearing the line but ably defending a half-length lead, claimed a first heat win in 33.04 (-60), with just a neck back to Glendalough in a thriller.

Final Draw: 1) Beaming Scarlet 2) Magical Mary 3) Toolmaker Beach 4) Bective Cherry 5) Glendalough 6) Ballyard Taylor (m)

The opposing semi-final saw Robert Gleeson’s Toolmaker Beach advance to the final as the sole unbeaten runner in the event while posting 32.98 (-60) and the strongest stayer of the six, he will prove tough to contain beyond halfway, should he find clear passage from what appears a pleasing draw.

Much like her semi-final, Magical Mary will face stiffest opposition for the early lead from Beaming Scarlet and Glendalough and having just lost out for the third bend lead on Sunday, it is that race to the bottom of the backstraight which will prove crucial now.

A return to trap 2 is a plus having taken a step to her right from the rails draw last time and a repeat of her earlier winning efforts which both saw her lead from trap 2 would offer highly plausible hopes that Magical Mary can, at the very least, reach the second bend in closer proximity to any prospective pacesetter. With her backstraight pace unrivalled, clear passage will make her extremely tough to contain and within a hugely competitive classic final, Magical Mary earns a stronger than hopeful vote for victory.

Stirring up a Storm at Galway

Having shed his maiden tag with S6 victory over 350-yards at Galway in early April, Denis McGrath’s Foxwood Storm (Sonic-Slaneyside Zaoa) again impressed the eye when settling for second place over the same trip following a slow start in S4 last time. Still honing his racing skills ahead of just his fourth career start on Friday, however, the Ballinaclough prospect found marked improvement while catapulting himself to the Open ranks of sprinting in a facile second career win.

Breaking on level terms for the first time, the October 2020 pup was quickest to reach full stride having exited trap 3 and displaying far superior early pace than his S4 rivals, had the verdict in little doubt while easing clear to a commanding lead at the opening bend. Reaching his six and a half-length winning margin before entering the home stretch, Foxwood Storm maintained a relentless gallop to the line as his race against the clock ended in a classy 18.87 (-10).

An exciting young talent, Foxwood Storm will face a significant upgrade while obliged to compete against the very best in the sprinting sphere going forward. However, that exalted level is where his future lies and with stamina throughout his breeding lines, the McGrath pup retains the option of four-bend racing at A3 level. Whatever path is chosen next by his shrewd connections, Foxwood Storm is a pup to follow very closely over coming weeks and months.

Liam leads way in Patterdale double

Having endured an extended inactive spell with just a solitary race outing in a nine-month period before returning to action in March of this year, Maureen Mounsey’s Patterdale Liam (Minor Mike-Minor Winner) had already confirmed that he was well over any ails with a brace of recent victories and further impressing in his racing comeback, the lightly campaigned September 2019 whelp claimed a third win from his latest four starts while sparking a Saturday double for the Clashnevin kennels at Limerick on Saturday.

Without a penalty for his latest victory, Patterdale Liam broke smartly from trap 3 in his A2 525 and easing clear while reaching full stride, held a one length lead at the opening bend before readily extending when sweeping the turn at pace. Firmly in command to halfway, the Mounsey stalwart completed a dominant passage with four lengths to spare in a very smart 28.82.

Bringing up the Mounsey brace in the following A6 525, Maureen & Sally Mounsey’s younger kennel companion Patterdale Gigi (Magical Bale-Patterdale Lena) confirmed the promise shown in her game debut victory when improving to a very smart 28.94, remaining unbeaten in her second career start.

From a very level break, the September 2020 pup displayed the best early dash while easing clear to a one length opening bend lead and extended her advantage to the backstraight. Fully in command to halfway, Patterdale Gigi was not for catching and registering a five-length winning margin, posted her smart winning time while setting up a hattrick to commence her career. She will take a significant rise to A2 in that treble attempt but can hold every chance.

Amongst a host of smart performances from local kennels again last week, there was huge merit to the A5 525 victory of Bernie Hogan’s Old Bill (Droopys Sydney-Starry Display) in a bumpy affair at Thurles and his third career win can be marked up somewhat following a impressive score.

Slow to stride from trap 1, the July 2020 whelp made gradual inroads on a tight tussle for the lead between a trio of leaders but crucially defending his rails pitch as significant bumping slowed the entire field around the opening bends, Old Bill gamely forced his way to the front on the inside approaching the backstraight. A narrow lead extended to over three lengths as the Hogan winner impressed with a powerful gallop to the closing bends and five lengths to the good at the line, he posted 29.49 (-20) in advance of the strong staying local rival Daithis Main Man for Jody Mitchell. Given the first bend bumping experienced here, this winning effort arguably constitutes a career best for Old Bill and though rising to A3 next time, he can be expected to ably cope in that sphere.