Winning overture for Guilfoyle in Lee Strand

TRAPRISE

It is widely accepted that the perennial Lee Strand 550 at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium in Tralee is an A3 event in name only while always housing progressive racers destined for the elite echelons of the sport.

In 2026, the Pat Guilfoyle trained Music Inthe Air (Ballymac Cashout-Nocturnal Hekla) proved the most proficient of those aspiring top-level performers and he completed a stunning event campaign with final victory on Friday.

Unlucky in a sprint novice final to commence his career at the Kerry circuit, the Pension Plan Syndicate owned December 2023 whelp was making his four-bend debut when claiming opening round victory in the Lee Strand, and scarcely sighting a rival in the stake, advanced to the final as the sole unbeaten runner having rattled off a heat hat-trick.

A warm favourite before entering trap 4, there was nonetheless a stiff assignment ahead and the smart break which Music Inthe Air produced was needed, while only narrowly in command upon reaching full gallop. Crucially extending to a one-length advantage before sweeping across rivals into the first bend however, the Moneygall starlet doubled that advantage while turning. Pursued by the talented Ballymac Scheff all along the backstraight, Music Inthe Air contained that rival’s strong staying threat in most game style thereafter and seeing out every yard, registered a classy 29.57 in a one-length winning verdict.

All four victories in the event were in that top level AA0 bracket and Music Inthe Air will now be obliged to take on the very best for the remainder of his exciting career, having landed the €10,000 prize in just this seventh career outing.

There was further final glory on Friday for the Moneygall kennels when Pat Guilfoyle’s Magical Faye (Magical Bale-Magical Chanel) landed the Barking Buzz App ON2 350 Yard Stake in her second race outing at Galway.

Having settled for a photo-finish runner-up effort in her debut on the previous weekend, the November 2024 whelp was again headed in the early exchanges from trap 6 this time but pacing up best on the long run to the corner, readily swept to the lead while turning. In command to the home straight, Magical Faye powered clear to an ultimately commanding three-length victory, posting 19.27 (-10).

Her future career most likely lies over further, and she can be expected to progress rapidly over the course of the season ahead.

A very busy weekend for local kennels saw many advance to the next round of competition in various events nationwide including Pat & Donal Guilfoyle’s Magical Be Nifty (Droopys Jet-Magical Be Nifty) who will start favourite for the Ann Cheevers Memorial A3 525 Yard Stake at Galway following her brace of heat wins, latterly in 28.79 (-20).

Tipsy start to Club Derby

At Limerick, the opening round of an intriguing TIME Club Derby A4 525 Yard Stake, with a lucrative €20,000 to the eventual champion, got under way last weekend and returned four local winners from 24 opening round heats.

The highlight of a successful session was a very smart return to winning ways for John Kealy’s Tipsy Ailbhe (Ballymac Cashout-Shancol Storm) as she seeks a return to the final of the innovative event. So cruelly bumped out of contention at the opening bends when front rank in last year’s showdown, the hugely likeable September 2023 whelp will have had this return in mind all season and signalled her intentions with a fourth career win in Saturday’s Heat 20.

Breaking on terms from trap 1, Ailbhe ably defended her rails pitch before tackling the opening bend with a length in hand. Keenly pursued with a rival on her tail all the way to the final turn, Tipsy Ailbe registered 29.04 in a snug three and a half length victory.

The event harbours a time constraint where any runner bettering 28.90 in the opening two rounds immediately exits the competition, so safe on that count this time, any qualification spot will be precious for all survivors in round 2 this weekend.

Salah on scoresheet at Thurles

Saturday’s action at Thurles last weekend featured a morning start for a busy fixture and saw another new name in the local winner’s circle as Mike Duff’s Rathfalla Salah (Dromana Bucko-Baby Jane) shed his maiden at the second time of asking in the concluding A7 525.

Progressing for a bumpy debut experience, the October 2024 whelp began just behind the lead this time from trap 6, within a largely level start for all. However, pacing up well on the outside of the field, the Duff pup advanced to dispute the lead with local rival Cagey Geoffrey upon cornering. Impressing when striking the front on the approach to the backstraight, Rathfalla Salah advanced to a near three length lead at halfway and though Christopher Delaney’s Cagey Geoffrey remained a persistent threat, ran out a ready winner. Posting 29.93 (-20), Rathfalla Salah will not fear a rise to A6 next time.

Earlier on that Thurles card and in the same grade, Ryan Kennedy’s Ballinalick Ivy (Broadstrand Bono-Ballinalick Rua) claimed her sixth career win, in thrilling style.

Just denied last time out with a flying finish coming up short by half a length, the lightly raced December 2021 whelp was again headed in the early exchanges on Saturday despite an adept break from trap 6. However, rounding rivals while tackling the opening bends on the outside of runners, the Kennedy veteran advanced to second place at the top of the backstraight before reducing three length arrears with superior pace to the closing turns. All but joining the early pacesetter while turning, Ballinalick Ivy raced widest into the home stretch but again seeing out the trip stoutly, forged a thrilling shorthead winning margin close home while posting 29.95 (-20).