Timmy will seek more Magic in Tralee Final

TRAPRISE

The Timmy Ward Memorial A1 525 Yard Stake attracted a number of local challengers at Tralee over past weeks and now down to final stage, Patterdale Timmy and Montore Magic will again face off in this week’s final following an epic semi-final tussle on Friday last.

Arriving to the Kingdom venue in sparkling form, Sally Mounsey’s Patterdale Timmy (Ballymac Cashout-Patterdale Luna) claimed opening round victory in a slick 28.39 (+10) effort, and it was the lightly raced September 2023 whelp who prevailed as our local hopes dominated the second semi.

James Treacy’s Montore Magic (Droopys Jet-Magical Poppy) had missed his break on opening night but produced an eye-catching staying effort to fill a qualifying third, and the Pat Guilfoyle trained June 2024 whelp was again very sluggish from trap 4 on Friday. Conversely, Patterdale Timmy began well from his trap 1 berth and ably defending his rails pitch to the first bend, was in command while turning with a half-length in hand.

Extending to two lengths at the top of the backstraight, the Mounsey charge continued to dictate on the run to halfway as in behind, Montore Magic admirably advanced through rivals to race in third position with three and a half lengths to recover. The Treacy youngster again displayed strong staying abilities from that point and second to the final turn, loomed large as a menacing threat on the outside in the home stretch. Try as he did however, Patterdale Timmy was not for catching and defending a shorthead winning margin over his local rival, posted a classy 28.40.

The opposing semi-final was won in 28.45 so clearly this week’s final will be a tight affair but sharper in those crucial early yards, Patterdale Timmy looks the percentage call. However, should Montore Magic find an improved break, he does appear infinitely capable of a special run!

Billy chasing Fair final reward

Our remaining local challengers faced another dauting assignment at semi-final stage in the 2026 Pat Doran Memorial Fair Warrior Open 400 Yard Stake on Saturday evening last but advancing to this week’s showdown in the prestigious sprint perennial at Mullingar was the Christopher Delaney trained Rallying Billy (Ballymac Cashout-Rallying Saidso).

Without a heat win in the event, the Dan Flynn owned May 2024 whelp had nonetheless displayed his elite qualities at every turn before making a smart break from his trap 2 draw in the opening semi. Conversely, his Vincent McKenna trained local counterpart Gem Friendly made her worst start of the event in trap 6 and taking a significant bump in the early strides, she would relinquish her crown having been victorious in the sprint major twelve months ago.

On the rails, the Delaney charge did battle with hot favourite Stonepark Browne but always just holding the call, that latter rival had the advantage of the inside from trap 1 and put on an impressive display when advancing to lead into the opening bend. Inconvenienced on his tail at that point, Rallying Billy would absorb a hefty bump while turning but admirably remained in a dispute of second place to the top of the home stretch.

Always strong on the run to the line, Rallying Billy safely secured qualification when reaching the line in third, ceding five and a half lengths plus a neck to the sizzling 21.06 (-20) winner.

Billy has again been drawn in trap 2 for Saturday’s final, and once again has Stonepark Browne on his inside. With the further complication of a swift Callaway Danny in trap 3, the Roscrea speedster has pressure on to break sharply. However, should he manage to out start his latest conqueror, Rallying Billy has the strength in the home stretch to match any in the field.

Magical duo reach Lifford Oaks Final

Staying on the elite scene, a classy 2026 BOYLE Sports Lifford Oaks 525 Yard Stake also reaches final stage this coming weekend and the Guilfoyle kennels of Moneygall will be double handed following pleasing passage for both Magical Be Nifty and Magical Fiona from their semi-final on Saturday last.

Magical Be Nifty (Droopys Jet-Magical Poppy) had led throughout following her smart break but ceded victory in the dying strides as strong stayer Berry On Faya prevailed by half a length in 28.65 (-20). Behind that duo, Magical Fiona (Ballymac Cashout-Right Nicki) filled third at just a further two length deficit. That trio are likely to dominate the market for this coming Saturday’s final decider and with the early pace of Magical Be Nifty expected to lead from trap 3, Magical Fiona can this time match her companion for a pleasing passage to the backstraight. With their biggest rivals drawn closer to the rails in the form of Berry On Faya and Ballymac Jetaway, the Magical duo can dictate their own fate with smart starts, and only narrow preference is for Fiona.

Returning to Friday evening action, a new recruit to the local winner’s circle left a hugely pleasing impression when commencing Kilkenny’s fixture with victory in the Split the Pot A8 525 as Abigail Morrissey’s Abigail’s Leo (King Capaldi-Abigails Sky) shed his maiden at the second time of asking.

Having very much caught the eye following a slow start on debut, the April 2025 whelp stripped sharper this time and although led from trap 2, paced up smartly along the inside before striking the front while tackling the opening bend.

Reducing the race to virtual procession from that point, Abigails Leo extended further clear of hapless rivals with every stride, striking the line with a facile eighteen lengths to spare. Posting 29.52 (-40), Abigail’s Leo rises to A3 level for his next outing, but his future lies beyond that grade on the evidence of this first career win.