GUILFOYLE DOUBLE SETS UP MOUTH-WATERING GALWAY OAKS DECIDER

Peter Farrell

The semi-finals of the 2026 On Faya Galway Oaks took centre stage at Galway Greyhound Stadium on Friday night and it was Pat Guilfoyle who stole the headlines to book a formidable hand in next week's €10,000-to-the-winner decider.

After landing two of the three opening round heats, Guilfoyle's Magical Be Nifty and Magical Mag both produced outstanding displays to seal their places in the final, with the latter setting the standard in a brilliant 28.68 on a track rated .20 slow.

Magical Be Nifty got the ball rolling in the opening semi-final as she bounced back from last week's third-place finish in tremendous fashion. Faced with a far from ideal draw in trap five, the daughter of Droopys Jet - Magical Poppy broke much better than she had in the heats but still found Ballyhoe Natalee first into stride, with the Mark Connolly-trained bitch once again pinging from trap two to dictate in the opening exchanges. In contrast, Avenue Queen, sent off the 5/4 favourite, stumbled slightly at traprise and found herself with plenty to do after being left at the rear of the field. Ballyhoe Natalee remained at the head of affairs around the opening bend, but Magical Be Nifty was travelling purposefully in behind and tracked brilliantly around the second bend to motor up the inside and take command entering the back straight. Meanwhile, Avenue Queen was beginning to make ground in behind, railing superbly to improve into fourth as she set about launching her challenge. With Magical Be Nifty edging clear of Ballyhoe Natalee passing the sprint traps, the result never looked in doubt thereafter. Guilfoyle's classy lady quickly stretched further clear approaching the penultimate bend and maintained a relentless gallop all the way to the line to score by four lengths. The battle for the remaining qualifying places proved a thrilling one, as Avenue Queen produced a remarkable recovery, showing all the attributes of a bitch at the top of her game to storm through for second. Ballyhoe Natalee, who had once again shown electric early pace, held on to claim the final qualifying position, a further two lengths adrift in third. The winning time was a smart 28.90 .20s. (Sec: 16.58)

MAGIC FROM MAG

If the opening semi saw the lead change hands, there was no such drama in the second as Magical Mag delivered a devastating front-running display in what was a four-runner affair.

One of the leading ladies in training, Pat Guilfoyle's star performer was expected to improve on her opening-round victory and she did exactly that from her plum draw in trap two, pinging the lids (3.27) to showcase her exceptional early speed. Sent to traps as the 1/2 favourite, the daughter of Ballymac Cashout - Mystical Luna quickly surged clear of Berry On Faya on the run-up before opening an eight-length advantage as she raced down the back straight. Although Deerjet Matilda immediately set off in pursuit and was expected to close the gap given her strong-running attributes, this contest revolved entirely around Magical Mag. Never seeing another rival from the moment the traps went up, the brilliant black dominated throughout to record a sixteenth career victory, crossing the line six and a half lengths clear in a superb 28.68 .20s. Deerjet Matilda filled the runner-up spot, while Kishlawn Kudos completed the qualifiers in third. (Sec: 16.39)

With two outstanding winners on the night, Pat Guilfoyle now holds a particularly strong hand heading into next week's final. However, with Avenue Queen still very much in contention after her tremendous recovery and Ballyhoe Natalee continuing to display her exceptional early pace, all the ingredients are in place for what promises to be a top-class renewal of the €10,000-to-the-winner On Faya Galway Oaks.

******

ALL ABOUT IKE IN JIMMY FLAHERTY MEMORIAL

The second round heats of the Jimmy Flaherty Memorial A2/A3 525 complemented the main event brilliantly and Grangeview Ike produced an outstanding performance to make it three straight victories.

Owned by Michael Hogan, Grangeview Ike was a 29.21 winner in the opening round and, while this represented a much sterner test, the strapping fawn made light work of his rivals as he produced a career-best performance. Donning the blue jacket, 'Ike' was installed as the even-money favourite and there was never a moment's doubt as he pinged the lids to post a rapid 3.27 sectional. In doing so, the son of Grangeview Ten - Grangeview Nifty opened a four-length advantage down the back straight as Rozys Wild set off in pursuit. Her challenge, however, proved all in vain as this was one-way traffic for Hogan's runner, who stayed on powerfully to record a six-length victory over Rozys Wild in second. The time was a blistering 28.83 .20s and on the basis of that performance, he will be very difficult to beat going forward.

Heat 1 - In the opening heat of round two, Breaghmore Tilly completed a double on the night for M.J. Corrigan. Having landed the opening race with Breaghmore Katie, 'Tilly' was sent to traps as a 3/1 chance and broke well from trap five, with only Breaghmore Joeys and Hollywell Raptor showing ahead on the run-up. Traffic at the opening bend allowed Hollywell Raptor to hold the initiative entering the back straight, however, 'Tilly' quickly ranged alongside her rival before taking charge midway down the far side. From there, the daughter of Ballymac Cashout - Eileens Best turned the screw in the closing stages to cross the line two lengths clear of Hollywell Raptor in second. The time was 29.29 .20s.

Heat 2 - Gerry Holian and The-Two-Pints-Mary-Syndicate were represented by Glengar Sofia (5/2) in heat two and she duly went one better than her runner-up finish in the opening round. Drawn in trap two, the daughter of Glengar Bale - Nice Mystery was swiftly into stride, posting a slick 3.28 sectional to assert on the run-up. In doing so, 'Sofia' opened a three-length lead over Summerfield Tier and, while the latter certainly reduced the deficit in the closing stages, the long-time leader was never under any serious threat as she crossed the line with a length and a half to spare. The time was 29.26 .20s.

Heat 4 - The concluding second round heat saw Glamorous Rocket shed his maiden tag in brilliant fashion for the Horan-Family-Syndicate. An eye-catcher in round one, ‘Rocket’ was a 3/1 market chance but broke poorly from trap one and could only manage third on the run-up. Sitting four lengths adrift entering the back, Bumblebee Milan was in the ascendancy out in front, however, Glamorous Rocket quickly improved into second, showing a lovely turn of foot to emerge a real threat rounding the bottom two bends. Now in full throttle, Glamorous Jet ranged alongside Bumblebee Milan and the son of Priceless Jet - Luna Rocket showed similarities to his sire in storming home to win by two lengths from another fast finisher in Island Bobby. The time was 29.47 .20s.