Joker has last laugh at Limerick

Traprise

Having been so narrowly denied on his latest outing following a layoff, the Lorna And Maureen Syndicate’s Jokers Corner (Broadstrand Bono-Skips Abby) was amongst the most pleasing winners of the past week as he gained due reward with a very smart second career success at Limerick on Saturday.

In his second comeback race having been off since January, the Pat Steed trained July 2022 whelp clearly remained in fine form following the absence and although headed in the early stages of the Talking Dogs A1 525, was just a length adrift of an early paced rival upon reaching the opening bend from his middle draw in trap 4. Switching to the inside of the leader while turning, the Ballinaclough stalwart swiftly struck the front entering the backstraight and easing clear to halfway, fully stamped his authority on the race from that point. Seeing out the trip stoutly, Jokers Corner struck the line with five and a half lengths to spare in a smart 28.81 (+20).

That winning time will keep the Steed charge in the same grade for his next outing, and hoping to add to a win tally which does not reflect his wonderfully competitive presence in the upper grades, he will prove tough to contain in current form.

Mille ensures double final hopes

Friday harboured big hopes for major success with Pat Guilfoyle’s Epic Ace contesting the final of the 2025 Islandbridge Open 350 but despite again confirming that he clearly possessed the most potent raw speed in the event, a poor break would see him bumped out of contention when flying at the leaders entering the opening bends.

Settling for a gallant third placing, Ace was four and a half lengths adrift of winner Sogna Ancora in 18.55 but those frustrations were alleviated somewhat as Magical Millie (King Sheeran-Magical Mary) had already ensured a return to final contention for the kennels this coming weekend when remaining unbeaten in her career start at Galway on that same Friday evening.

Debuting with victory in the opening round of the This Runs Deep ON2 350 Yard Stake posting 19.31 (-5), the October 2023 whelp began on terms from trap 4 and pacing up well on the long run to the corner, turned with two lengths in hand. Further stamping her authority on the race when bounding further clear into the home stretch, Magical Millie progressed to 19.18 (-5) in a six and a half-length victory and will take all the beating in this week’s final if securing clear passage once again.

With seven career starts, Donal & Pat Guilfoyle’s Magical Hope (Dorotas Wildcat-Magical Poppy) has suffered her only defeat in a sole sprint outing and contesting the semi-finals of the Shelbourne Park Guys And Dolls A2 525 Yard Stake on Thursday, remained unbeaten over four-bends in another brave, strong running performance.

A quarter final winner in the event when leading close home in 28.82 (+20), the May 2023 whelp completed a competition hattrick despite again headed in the early exchanges from trap 6. With near two lengths to recover on the outside of the field on the approach to the opening bend, the Moneygall youngster performed with much credit when passing rivals while turning and had just a length to claw back on the pacesetter when advancing to second in the backstraight. Strongest from that point, Magical Hope again hit the front in the home straight when staying stoutly and striking the line with a length and a half to spare, posted 28.95.

The opposing semi-final was won in 28.92 so clearly final victory will be hard fought but if close to halfway, Magical Hope will be extremely tough to contain.

Magical back on Fire

Returning to Saturday action on the Dock Road, feature event of that card was the Limerick Getting Out A0 525 and concluding the fixture with a second career victory was Pat Guilfoyle’s Magical On Fire (Ballymac Cashout-Burgess Sarah).

Following a brace of bumpy outings in the Puppy Oaks at Shelbourne Park, the September 2023 whelp had previously produced a sizzling 28.23 debut over 525-yards in the capital and confirmed her immense promise again this time, despite headed in the early exchanges from trap 3.

Two lengths adrift of an early paced rival on the run to the corner, the Guilfoyle winner battled well between runners to secure second position while turning. Within three lengths of the lead to halfway, she struck the front with a daring run along the inside rail at the closing bends and staying stoutly, extended to a facile eight lengths at the line in 28.50 (+20).

Opting to sidestep the Irish Oaks which commenced over the weekend, all connected will have been delighted with this highly educational experience and the battling attributes shown in victory. A hugely exciting prospect, Magical On Fire’s progression will make for compelling viewing over the coming weeks and months.

Saturday action at Thurles did not pass without a local winner to cheer before welcoming the big match crowd on Sunday and happy to let comrade Ballinalick Bono claim the bulk of litter of winners in recent times, Ryan Kennedy’s Ballinalick Ivy (Broadstrand Bono-Ballinalick Rua) chipped in with her first of the season.

In just her fourth outing of the year, the December 2021 whelp began in mid-division from trap 5 in the Gold Sponsor Hugh Ryan Undertakers A5 525 but pacing up well on the outside approaching the corner, held strong against a bump while turning before bravely striking the front approaching the backstraight. Always in command thereafter, Ballinalick Ivy completed a two and a half-length victory with the minimum of fuss while posting 29.92 (+20) and will hold obvious claims in the same grade next time.