Moorstown semis are Magical for Guilfoyle

TRAPRISE

The Moneygall kennels of Pat Guilfoye faced a tricky assignment at Tralee on Friday evening as both of their unbeaten runners in the Moorstown Kennels A3 500 Yard Stakes were drawn side-by-side in the second semi-final.

However, and through treacherous tight quarters in the early exchanges, both Magical Faye (Magical Bale-Magical Chanel) and Magical Marty (Ballymac Cashout-Magical Mary) safely negotiated passage to this week’s final while filling the forecast, with former retaining her unbeaten tag in the event.

Fastest of the field entering trap 4 following her 26.96 (+10) performance in the second round, Magical Faye began on level terms from trap 4 and contested the lead on the outside within a line of three on the run to the corner. Magical Marty was almost a full length down at that point following his ponderous start from trap 5. He would join the tussle for the lead around the opening bends but with four runners tightly grouped, some precarious crowding had rivals bunched while turning. Emerging in second at the top of the backstraight, Magical Faye joined and passed the leader at the third turn while in behind, her travelling companion matched the effort from two lengths adrift. The Guilfoyle pair stretched clear thereafter and striking the line with three lengths in hand of Magical Marty, Magical Faye posted an impressive 27.11 (+10).

The faster of the semi-finals, both will again need to be sharp with early crowding a constant hazard in the event but granted clear passage, a repeat forecast in this week’s final can be fancied with Faye marginally favoured!

Another final on that same card this Friday will see the Regional Nights Friends & Supporters A2 525 Stake conclude and trainer Pat Guilfoyle will hold leading claims here also following the unbeaten passage of Thomas O’Keefe’s Daleroad Magic (Ballymac Cashout-Magical Mary) having rattled off a hat-trick of heat wins.

Progressing from opening round victory, the September 2024 pup posted a classy 28.20 (+10) in strong running style at quarterfinal stage and although again headed in Friday’s semi, greatly impressed following a significant first bend bump. Just fourth to the backstraight, Daleroad Magic overturned a three-length deficit when striking the front on the outside at the third turn before bounding clear in dismissive manner thereafter. Stretching to a three-length winning margin, the Guilfoyle starlet posted a bump affected 28.50 and will be very difficult to contain in this week’s final if securing clear passage!

James has Major say in Puppy Derby

Purchased to stay in the Moneygall kennels of Pat Guilfoyle, the Lars & Anita Wicander owned Wi Can James (Ballymac Cashout-Right Nicki) maintained an unbeaten tag in the 2026 Time Greyhound Nutrition 525 Yard Puppy Derby with a thrilling quarterfinal victory at Shelbourne Park on Saturday.

Setting the event alight with a truly stunning trap to line performance while posting an astounding 27.88 on opening night, the September 2024 whelp was made to do it the hard way on Saturday when narrowly headed in the early exchanges from trap 4.

Reaching the corner on the outside of Slick Sanctuary, the Guilfoyle pup would find that rival occupying the ground that he wished to gallop for much of the remaining yards. Following a minor bump while turning, Wi Can James was forced to check his stride entering the backstraight and again when challenging on the outside at the third turn.

Rallying in hugely pleasing style however, James secured a gap on the rail off the final turn and game as you like on the run to the line, forged a gutsy shorthead victory in 28.31.

All connected will be delighted with the manner of victory given this troubled passage and Wi Can James justifies his place at the top of the market with quotes of 3/1 ahead of this week’s semi-finals.

That same Saturday fixture had begun in winning fashion for the Guilfoyle kennels and retuning to winning ways in stunning fashion, Magical Major (King Sheeran-Magical Mary) sent a warning shot across the elite racing scene when landing the Welcome To Shelbourne Park AA0 575.

A big fancy for last year’s Derby while in the infancy of his career, the lightly raced October 2023 whelp had spent eight months away from the track before taking a tumble in his comeback outing last month.

None the worse however, Major was back to his sizzling best on Saturday and once striking the front entering the opening bend despite only a moderate break from trap 5, reduced Saturday’s contest to virtual procession. Extending along the backstraight, Magical Major saw out the extended four-bend trip stoutly and striking the line with five and a half lengths in hand of Uncle Keith, clocked a brilliant 30.78.

With all major events on his radar for the remainder of the season, the Moneygall powerhouse has once again announced himself as a leading player for all!

On another weekend which saw racing greatly curtailed during the warm spell, the costal relief out west did afford us action at Galway and returned another maiden winner within a purple patch for the kennels of Paul Hogan as Five Alley Bruce (Ballymac Cooper-Five Alley Star) claimed the opening A8 525 contest on Friday.

Having shown early paced promise in four previous starts, the lightly raced June 2024 whelp was quick to reach full stride from his trap 1 draw and edging to the middle of the track on the run to the corner, scampered to a three-length lead before turning. Six lengths to the good at halfway, his stamina was again tested from the closing bends but not for catching, Five Alley Bruce retained a snug two length margin at the line.

Posting 29.68 (-20), he will now rise to A4 grade but with such early paced prowess and natural progression in the tank, he can continue his upward curve with this precious first win in the bag.