TRAPRISE - Ace on target in Epic Sprint Cup tilt

TRAPRISE

Within an exciting week of high-class competition around the country, second round heats of a quality 2025 Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup proved a compelling watch at Dundalk on Saturday and progressing for his first outing on the circuit, the Pat Guilfoyle trained Epic Ace (Signet Ace-Free From Desire) resumed winning ways in thrilling style.

Contained without clear passage on the previous weekend, the John Kennedy owned speedster was drawn in trap 5 with a middle seeding for Saturday’s fifth heat and was again headed at trap rise.

However, as is customary for the Moneygall star, he began to outpace all rivals once in full gallop and closed to the tail of a pacesetting Dear Sir at the first bend. Hindered as that rival occupied the ground that Epic Ace would wish to gallop, Vincent McKenna’s Healy’s Legacy fared worse again as he was bumped out of a qualifying position while tackling the turns behind the leaders. Out front, Epic Ace challenged on the inside of the Dear Sir off the final bend and with clear passage to the line, struck the front close home for a game three-quarter length verdict in 20.97.

That winning time compares favourably within the event, even considering that the brilliant defending champion Broadstrand Syd posted 20.70. It remains that the Guilfoyle star possesses the pace of any remaining and when he does produce his best break, a big performance will follow!

St Leger semis for local trio

The 2025 Callaway Pro Am at Stud Irish St Leger was reduced to semi-final stage at Limerick on Saturday, and although our local challenge did not claim a heat victory, there is much to be excited about with a trio of classic hopefuls surviving.

The story of the event is double defending champion Clonbrien Treaty as he seeks a to complete the impossible, three St Leger victories on the spin. He was an outright favourite before resuming winning ways in a brilliant 29.48 (+10) for the 550-yards but as he did, the Pat Guilfoyle trained Daleroad Duke was on his tail to the line. Going down by just a length and a half, that defending champion is possibly the only St Leger rival that Daleroad Duke will struggle to lead in the early exchanges, and he very much remains a strong player in the classic.

A second semi-finalist for Guilfoyle, Magical Sapphire battled bravely for a qualifying third when staying stoutly while three and a half lengths adrift of Faypoint Harvey in 29.73 (+10), comments which also perfectly describe the passage of Cagey Billy from his quarter final.

The latter Christopher Delaney charge secured third place close home when a bumpy two lengths adrift of Flyers Minnie in 29.92 (+10). He has more to offer is granted clear passage in this Saturday’s semi-finals and all three are capable of reaching the €30,000 decider!

Magic novice double

Staying at Limerick and a successful Saturday for the kennels of Pat Guilfoyle featured a stunning novice double and heading the feat, Atouchofmagic (Ballymac Cashout-Burgess Sarah) left a big impression as he dominated the Book Your Trials Online ON2 525.

Presenting in sharp form, the September 2023 whelp defended his rails position from trap 1 on the run to the corner before turning with a narrow advantage. However, it was from this point that he stamped his class on proceedings, reducing the race to virtual solo passage. Revealing prodigious strong running abilities, Atouchofmagic stopped the clock in a brilliant 28.33 (+10) with eleven lengths to spare and is clearly another hugely exciting prospect.

Sparking the novice double for the kennels in the preceding Race Entries by Text ON3 525, Magical Max (King Sheeran-Magical Mary) may have been outdone by his Guilfoyle companion but nonetheless left a big impression himself!

Showing smart early pace off a moderate break from trap 2, the October 2023 pup denied Cathal McLoughney’s local rival Liosgarbh Storm a first bend advantage and continuing to lead that rival thereafter, completed victory with the minimum of fuss. Posting 28.69 (+10) in a nine-length score, he adds further to a very exciting first litter for Magical Mary.

Kim a maiden no more

The weekend action at Thurles did not pass without a winner to cheer and welcoming a new presence in the winner’s circle, Mike Duff guided his Rathfalla Kim (Jacob Tashadelek-Call Me Sky) to maiden success in the Gleesons Tower Lounge A7 525.

Without clear passage in any of her previous five outings, the August 2023 whelp was better housed with a rails-draw this time and using her position to ideal effect having begun on terms, she struck the front on the inside while tackling the opening bends. Ably repelling persistent rivals thereafter, Rathfalla Kim posted 29.82 in a two-length score and can be expected to progress further with just a one-step climb up the grading ladder.

Another to claim a first career victory over last weekend was the Toomevara Six Syndicate’s Toomevara Flash (Malachi-Rifles Flash) when shedding her maiden at the seventh time of asking at Limerick on Friday.

With an improved start from trap 1, the June 2023 whelp defended the rails on the run to the corner before extending to a commanding halfway lead. Ceding ground to a strong staying rival thereafter, Toomevara Flash contained all threats for a three-quarter length victory in 28.93 (+10). A three time previous runner-up, this victory was overdue and greatly deserved as a smart prospect to follow closely over coming weeks.