James completes Magical career start at Shelbourne
TRAPRISE
Commencing the winning action last week when completing his hugely pleasing career start with final victory in the April Monthly Novice ON2 525 Yard Stake at Shelbourne Park, Pat Guilfoyle’s Magical James (Ballymac Cashout-Right Nicki) loudly announced himself as another exciting prospect for the Moneygall kennels.
Progressing from his debut in the opening round of the event, the September 2024 whelp claimed semi-final victory when highly impressive through first bend bumping, posting 28.81 (+20) with obvious scope for improvement.
Delivering that on that promise, Magical James took full advantage of a suitable trap 1 for Tuesday’s decider and despite another ponderous start, he would this time lead from the crown of the opening bends having paced up well on the rails to negate early one-length arrears.
Offering a stern right shoulder to his nearest rival to retain the inside line, the Guilfoyle pup eased clear of that bumping entering the backstraight, from which point he reduced the final to one dog affair. Attractive to the eye on the run to the closing bends, Magical James completed victory with seven lengths to spare in a classy 28.36 (+20).
With that time affected by bumping and on the back of a slow start, there appears yet more to refine in his career infancy and expect to hear plenty more of Magical James in the coming months.
Busy at the capital venue last weekend, the Guilfoyle team commenced a hugely exciting challenge for the 2026 Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks but to mixed fortune as reigning Bitch of the Year Magical On Fire firstly fell-foul of a treacherous draw when bumped out of qualifying contention before Magical Mag advanced through less damaging traffic woes for her three-length second to Droopys Croia in 28.28 for the 525 yards.
Mag was returning from a six-month layoff and can be expected to progress as a serious outright player in the Oaks for the Moneygall kennels who are double handed for this week’s second round after Magical Hope impressed following a poor start to chase home Danikas Diamond at a two-length deficit in 28.58.
Billy seeks Islandbridge Rally
Another in the throes of elite competition action last weekend was the Christopher Delaney trained Rallying Billy (Ballymac Cashout-Rallying Saidso) and following a hugely game event campaign, the lightly raced youngster will contest the final of the 2026 1XBET Islandbridge Sprint SS0 350 Yard Stake this weekend.
On the back of his close-up third in the opening round of the prestigious sprint stake at Shelbourne Park, the Dan Flynn owned May 2024 whelp was pitched in an appealing trap 1 for Friday’s semi-final in the capital.
Not exiting on a galloping stride however, the Roscrea charge found himself in a precarious fourth position on the long gallop to the opening bend. Rushing up on the tail of his third placed rival entering the turn, Rallying Billy was markedly checked while turning before displaying admirable battling qualities to quickly recover his stride while advancing to a qualifying third on the run to the home stretch. Retaining that final berth to the line, Rallying Billy ceded a four-length victory to Droopys Scampi a sizzling 18.33 (+10).
In a final with all inside seeds, the Delaney hopeful has been drawn in trap 6 and only a fast break will suffice. Should he find that however, he will be an outsider with justified claims in a hot showdown.
Something in the Air at Tralee
Amongst the most prestigious graded stakes in racing, the 2026 Lee Strand A3 550 reached second round stage on Friday last and elevating his already impressive career start to yet new heights in a stunning winning performance was the Pat Guilfoyle trained Music Inthe Air (Ballymac Cashout-Nocturnal Hekla).
A dual sprint winner to commence his campaign, the Pension Plan Syndicate owned December 2023 whelp was a dominant winner of his opening round when stepping up in distance for a four-bend debut in a classy 29.46 (+20) for the extended four-bend trip. Building on that performance, Music Inthe Air went even faster this time.
Quickest into stride off a level start from trap 3, the Moneygall starlet led throughout the early exchanges but was little more than half a length clear along the backstraight within a competitive gallop to the closing bends. Proving his resolve in the closing stages however, Music Inthe Air eased clear from those final turns for a snug three and a half-length victory in a brilliant 29.23 (+20).
Fastest of the event, he holds obvious claims for outright victory ahead of this week’s semi-finals.
Saturday’s fixture at Galway introduced a fresh recruit to the local winner’s circle as Olivia & Oisin Hogan’s Five Alley Fairy (Grangeview Ten-Roaming Spirit) shed her maiden in the opening A8 525-yard contest.
On the back of a bumpy sprint outing to commence her racing campaign, the October 2024 whelp was not without promise when stepping up to four bends next time, despite held with plenty signs of greenness a fortnight ago. Those novice attributes were still evident on Saturday last but off a better break from trap 4, the Hogan pup was always front rank this time.
Outpacing rivals to her inside for a lead approaching the opening bends, Five Alley Fairy surrendered ground while moving beyond the middle of the track while turning. Joined and headed at that point, she again displayed superior pace when back on an even keel in the backstraight.
Regaining the lead passing halfway, Five Alley Fairy drew dismissively clear thereafter and completing victory in strong running manner, posted 29.77 (-10) with a facile eight lengths to spare. She will now rise to A5 for her next outing but there is clearly ample improvement in her tank to cope with that upgrade, and beyond!