WONDERFUL ACTION ON OFFER IN DUBLIN
Ian Fortune
Another huge crowd will pour through the stiles at Shelbourne Park this evening as the festive period continues and they will be treated to some top class racing with the opening round of the Bernard Barry Christmas Oaks and the semi-finals of the Shelbourne Marathon part of the eleven-race card.
The news of the withdrawal of Christmas Oaks ante-post favourite Magical Mag is obviously disappointing but it remains a competition bursting with star appeal and real quality. From the outset, the traditional end of season showpiece offers up wonderful racing.
MEL TO SET THE TONE
Bushpark Mel has been handed an ideal draw in the opening heat and will be very difficult to beat if ready to put her best foot forward after a layoff.
She hasn’t been seen in action since early August but has huge pace and ability and is selected to come home in front at the expense of the powerful Singalong Polly and Kilcolgan Whitney. Badly Behaving is likely to race prominently but will need to dictate the pace.
TINA SHOULD BE TOO HOT
In the absence of Magical Mag, Ballydoyle Tina is now set to start a hot favourite for Heat 2.
If starting on terms, she could quickly show her class and is chosen to outgun flying starting Brockagh Justine and Kerogue Lady.
LONE KNOWS HER CALLING
Heat 3 is a fascinating contest. 2024 Oaks champion A Lucky Julie continues her comeback but may need another run or two.
Defender, Rural Ana, Youandme Babe and Ballinabola Emma all boast some superb form and are respected but the nod goes to Lone Calling.
She displayed huge promise and ability in August, winning a valuable unraced at Waterford. A member of the superb Droopys Sydney/ Ballymac Pete litter, she is set to step up on her previous Shelbourne Park form and is chosen to come out on top despite a tricky draw in five. Rural Ana and A Lucky Julie can chase her home.
EXPECT MAGICAL TO FIRE
Laurels champion Magical On Fire is the one to beat in Heat 4.
She has all the qualities needed to be a star as proven by her classic victory and can get first run on her rivals from trap three. If coming away racing, she can dominate to see off the hugely fast Droopy Bundle and the progressive and well-housed Clan Sapphire.
FREYA CAN BEGIN HER DEFENCE WITH A WIN
The final heat is perhaps the weakest of the five, although Silverhill Freya is proven at the very highest level.
The defending champion is drawn in four and will be very hard to stop if coming away on terms. Certainly, her body of work is far superior to that of her rivals and she is chosen to turn close before asserting into the third turn.
HILL READY TO REACH SUMMIT IN MARATHON
The Shelbourne Marathon also gets underway over a shorter trip than normal.
The 850yd distance is a very different discipline to the 1025yds and it will suit the speedier types with the long run to the turn making a big difference.
The opening heat features recent Limerick 800yd record breaker Killacolla Hill. In her previous start she ran a big race in the WRF Championship 750 and looks certain to appreciate the long run to the opening bend. Goodnitekathleen, Ashmar Una and Daleroad Poppy are all seen as serious dangers but Killacolla Hill is chosen to make all for Michael Fitzgerald.
DOLL TO IMPRESS AGAIN
Oll The Doll won the WRF 850 at 11-1 and will be a far shorter price this evening to follow up that victory in the second semi-final.
Priceless On Ice is again in opposition and may step up on her latest effort. She is seen as a serious threat, while Magical Poppet and the near-veteran Droopys Comrade are also respected. Oll The Doll is the one to beat, however. If she again gets the opportunity to dictate, she will be very difficult to reel in and is chosen to emerge on top for Andrew Lynch.
BONO TO SING IN DUAL DISTANCE DECIDER
As an added bonus, the final of the New Barking Buzz App A0/A1 Dual Distance is the fourth race on the card and De Bono Lad and Brickhill Moana will be hoping they can back up their impressive semi-final success.
Brickhill Moana may edge off the fence in the early yards but has fine early speed and is greatly respected but De Bono Lad may have the superior all-round pace and is selected to come home in front for Brendan Sinnott and Anton Butler. Gallant Prince and Snowy April are also greatly respected in what could turn into a cracking contest.