A Charda proves final friend for McKenna at Newbridge

TRAPRISE

Sparking the winning action on a very busy weekend for local kennels around the country when completing a quality competition campaign at Newbridge, A Charda (Orchestrate-Highview Moment) extended a wonderful purple patch of form for trainer Vincent McKenna when an emphatic winner of his final in the Time Nutrition & NTSC A3 525 on Friday.

Owned by the A Charda Gael Syndicate, the April 2024 whelp dominated the event having turned his attentions to Newbridge following a career start over sprint distances. Progressing for a first outing on the circuit, the Borrisokane pup went fastest in the second round with 29.13 and was again best on the clock with an impressive semi-final passage in 28.81.

A shade of odds-on ahead of Friday’s €2500 showdown, A Charda was suitably drawn with a middle seed in trap 5 and once breaking on terms, ensured safe passage throughout the early exchanges while challenging for the lead on the outside of a sharp rival along the rails.

However, rounding all to strike the front entering the backstraight, the McKenna prospect galloped to a two-length halfway lead and was never likely to be contained thereafter. Predictably seeing out the trip well, A Charda competed a snug two and a half length victory in 28.87 and will continue his promising puppy campaign in A1 grade next time.

Madam chasing festive Gold

A busy evening for the McKenna kennels, the Friday action at Shelbourne Park delivered the second leg of classy double as the South Bronx Syndicate’s Frenchfort Madam (Ballymac Bolger-Twentylittletoes) claimed her semi-final in the 2025 Gold Collar A1 550 Yard Stake.

Possessing smart early pace over the extended four-bend distance, the August 2023 whelp led for a long way in her opening round heat on the previous weekend as she stepped up in trip for the first time. Caught while made to settle for third behind Cashout Girl then, the McKenna charge progressed for the spin and despite made to work for a first bend lead on Friday, dictated throughout.

Breaking on terms from trap 3, she would have company on the run to the corner and performed with much credit while easing clear despite more than the odd brush with Cashout Girl to her inside. In command while turning, Frenchfort Madam extended clear of bumping on the run to halfway with the race as good as settled and completing with four lengths in hand, posted 30.26 (-20).

The opposing semi-final was won by Razldazl Kamaria in 30.25 (-20) so a tight final awaits but for Frenchfort Madam the path to glory remains the same, lead to corner and attempt to skip clear!

Adding further to a successful weekend for the Borrisokane outfit, the Saturday fixture at Mullingar delivered a new recruit to the winner’s circle as the Pat Harnett owned Obelisk (Orchestrate-Lillies Supreme) shed his maiden in dominant style.

Scarcely sighting a rival in the Inter Track Betting A7 525 while striking the front on the run to the corner from trap 3, the McKenna trained June 2024 pup drew steadily clear to a nine-length winning verdict in 29.89 (-50).

Amongst a host of smart performances over last weekend, another contesting for competition glory in the coming days will be the James Byrne owned Stonepark Sam (Burgess Bucks-Turree Kate) as he bids to retain sponsors funds in the Nancy Tynan Memorial A4 550.

Fastest of the semi-finals when prevailing by a neck in 30.78 for trainer PJ Tynan, the July 2022 whelp just repelled a strong staying rival and will hold every chance for final victory if again dictating the pace.

Fire still burns in Christmas Oaks

A number of local challengers advanced to semi-final stage of warm events for this weekend with Pat Guilfoyle’s challenge in the 2025 Bernard Barry Christmas Oaks retaining two survivors, and Magical On Fire in particular remains a big player at Shelbourne Park having chased home Ballydoyle Tina on Saturday.

The pair were the stand-out performers of the round and that latter Puppy Oaks winner stole a march on the Moneygall classic star when emerging best from an early bump as Magical On Fire (Ballymac Cashout-Burgess Sarah) moved inwards from trap 5 having begun on terms in their quarter final clash.

Further traffic woes while tackling the opening bend had Guilfoyle’s Laurels heroine all of five lengths adrift in fourth place upon reaching the backstraight before she displayed her redoubtable class when free to gallop from that point.

Reducing arrears to winner Ballydoyle Tina to just two lengths at the line, the merits of her battling performance are enhanced when considered that the winner was clocking 28.26 (-20) through blustery conditions.

In behind, Magical Hope (Dorotas Wildcat-Magical Poppy) kept her aspirations alive in fourth having suffered most when bumping with her companion at the first bend on the back of a poor start from trap 6.

The Guilfoyle pair have gratefully avoided each other in the draw for this coming Saturday’s semi-finals, and each can be pleased with their positions despite facing obvious tough tasks. Away from Ballydoyle Tina this time, Magical On Fire can lay down a marker in the first heat from the plum trap 1 draw.

Back in trap 6 for the second semi-final, Magical Hope can start faster and with plenty of early pace on her inside, which includes Ballydoyle Tina, is well placed to deliver her threat from halfway for qualification at the minimum.