BUCKLEY BIDS FOR RECORD SEVENTH CESAREWITCH CROWN

Ian Fortune

The Time Irish Cesarewitch returns to Mullingar this afternoon with four mouth-watering semi-finals set to determine who will contest next weekend’s decider.

The classic has called Mullingar home since 2001, having previously been staged at the long-closed Navan track, and the midlands venue again promises to provide a worthy stage for some of the country's finest strong running performers.

The most compelling storyline heading into today's action is Pat Buckley's bid to extend his own record haul of victories in the classic. Buckley, who landed his first Cesarewitch title back in 2007 with Micks Savings, is now chasing a seventh success and arrives with a formidable team.

The Cappawhitehandler has dominated this event in recent years, guiding Bobsleigh Dream to glory in 2023 before Singalong Dolly completed back-to-back victories in 2024 and 2025. He sends out no fewer than four runners in this afternoon's heats and, as ever, cannot be taken lightly.

Each of the four heat winners will qualify for the final, while the two fastest second-place finishers will also advance. There is precious little margin for error in this format and every runner will need to be at their very best if they are to book a place in the valuable showpiece.

BLITZ COULD LIVE UP TO HER NAME

The opening semi-final brings together a fascinating group, not least Buckley's Glengar Blitz, who arrives in hot form after winning his latest outing at Limerick in a rapid 28.39.

A steady improver over her twelve-race career, it would be no surprise to see Bradley Canty’s daughter of Glengar Bale make the most of an ideal draw on the fence.

Breffni Paddy, trained by owner Seamus Reilly, was in fine form at the back end of 2025 and has to be considered also. His latest trial at Mullingar reads well and he clearly has ability to go close. Droopys Roar faces an ideal draw in the stripes and is at his best over this type of trip with the longer run to the bend rally playing to his strengths. Dapper Jane displayed real promise with a dominant win over 550yds recently and is another entitled to respect, while Hogans Hawk and Hazelhill Chick complete the line-up. Hogans Hawk is an intriguing runner. A top stayer in the UK in her prime, she has a litter on the ground but has trialed well in recent months. Hazelhill Chick is lightly raced but has shown ability. This is a tough test but she too must be considered.

Glengar Blitz, however, is the selection. From an ideal draw, she can lead from the early stages and, if running Mullingar, could prove very difficult to peg back.

ACTINDAMAGGOT HEADS COMPETITIVE SECOND HEAT

The second semi-final is a cracking contest and is headed by the Ian Reilly-trained Actindamaggot, who has been in superb form of late.

The son of Ballymac Cashout has won seven of his 14 career starts and arrives on the back tremendous victory at Shelbourne Park, when clocking a quick 28.43.

A consistent and reliable performer, he seems to find extra when needed over the standard trip so the step up to 600yds shouldn’t be a problem. He sets the standard from trap two.

Buckley also has strong representation here in the form of This Approach. A member of the very fast Grangeview Ten/ Mystical Luna litter, This Approach posted a stunning 28.22 on debut at Limerick in November.

He has yet to add to that success but is undoubtedly very talented. The longer run to the turn could make a big difference and should he get room to race, could make a bold bid.

Droopys Comrade has been a top-class stayer. He may lack the early speed to threaten into the bend but will certainly finish fast. Media Mogul and Fleadh Rileigh are others who cannot be overlooked, although both would need to be at their best to worry Actindamaggotand his main danger This Approach.

JOE THE MAN TO BEAT

Ballinabola Joe is the ante-post favourite for outright glory and it is easy to see why.

A high-class tracker with the pace to challenge the best in training, he ended the year with a couple of massive run over 600yds at Shelbourne Park.

He was out of luck in the final of the Yvonne Barry Track Bookmaker Open 600 but he should have the class edge over his rivals this afternoon. Trained by Pat Buckley for the Murphy Ballinaboola Syndicate, the son of Ballyhimikin Jet is drawn in the stripes and, if producing anything close to his best, the others will be chasing shadows.

Each of his five rivals boast some fine form but none to match that of the favourite. Bawn Jet has been running well around Mullingar but has his limitations. Flight Club ran up last year’s St Leger at Limerick but has only once tasted victory.

Bogger Callie has been running in hot company around Clonmel and will stay every inch of the trip. She is chosen to chase home Ballinabola Joe, while Drill Baby Drill and Phoenix Belle complete the field and will need luck. Ballinabola Joe is the confident selection to land the heat and stake an early claim for outright honours.

DURROW TO STAR IN HOT CONTEST

The last of the semi-finals is comfortably the most quality-packed of the four and looks a genuine contest.

The Francie Murray trained Durrow Star has strong claims if producing any like her best form over 575 and 600yds. She is very strong and is certain to finish at speed.

Owner Gilbert Anderson is hoping to win a third straight Cesarewitch title and his strong running Singalong Polly is another with outstanding claims. The Pat Buckley trained star has shown her versatility and abundant talent since making a winning debut at Shelbourne last September.

Boasting a 28.11 win over 525yds and a success over six bends, she is clearly fast and strong enough to make her presence felt.

Born To Perform makes an equally compelling case. The Jennifer O’Donnelltrained daughter of Malachi is a proven top class stayer but also has some wonderful form over shorter trips. Both Singalong Polly and Born To Perform are genuine classic contenders. Zenith Gizmo, Manalishi Jet and Baby Don’t Dally complete the field and none of them can be entirely dismissed in what is a genuinely deep contest. Durrow Star is selected to emerge on top but both Singalong Polly and Born To Perform could push her right to the line.