MAG CAN OVERCOME TRAP DRAW IN ON FAYA GALWAY OAKS DECIDER

Peter Farrell

After two weeks of outstanding action at Galway, the final of the 2026 On Faya Galway Oaks takes centre stage tonight and the €10,000-to-the-winner decider promises to be a fascinating contest, with the trap draw adding further intrigue.

Kindly sponsored once again by Peter Mulrooney of the On Faya kennels, this year's renewal has attracted another stellar line-up of the country's fastest bitches and the six finalists are fitting contenders for such a prestigious prize. The semi-finals saw Magical Mag make it back-to-back victories in the event and she arrives as the only unbeaten runner left in the Oaks. After producing a 29.08 .20s clock in the opening round, Pat Guilfoyle's star raised the bar significantly last time out when running riot in 28.68 .20s. On the evidence of that performance, the daughter of Ballymac Cashout appears better than ever and, although faced with a tricky draw in five, she has all the tools to land another major prize, adding to her Connacht Derby and Lifford Oaks titles. Patrick Guilfoyle is also double-handed in the decider, with Magical Be Nifty representing the Classic-winning handler. She too was hugely impressive in the semi-finals, stopping the clock in 28.90 .20s, and has strong claims in her own right. The daughter of Droopys Jet - Magical Poppy is the least experienced runner in the line-up, however, her stock continues to rise and she has a favourable draw in trap three if producing another sharp exit from the boxes.

QUEEN A MAJOR PLAYER

That said, Avenue Queen could prove the chief threat to Magical Mag. Brian Robinson's star performer was a terrific opening-round winner in 28.84 .20s but arguably produced an even better effort in the semi-finals, slicing through the field from what looked a hopeless position to finish second behind Magical Be Nifty. That defeat was her first at Galway but make no mistake, she remains a leading player for the Co. Tyrone kennel. Although once again awkwardly housed in trap four, if she can somehow secure a favourable early position rounding the opening bend, the pacey blue is more than capable of picking up the pieces late on.

NATALEE TO RIVAL MAG EARLY ON

While Magical Mag is expected to assert from the outset, Ballyhoe Natalee looks certain to challenge the favourite on the run to the opening bend. Mark Connolly's charge has showcased exceptional early speed in both of her Galway starts to date and, although she has failed to fend off the stronger finishers up to this point, she is more than capable of setting the pace. She appears ideally housed in trap two and if she can reproduce that blistering 3.26 sectional, any traffic behind her will only enhance her chances of causing an upset.

WELL-DRAWN MATILDA HAS CLAIMS

Deerjet Matilda is yet to produce her very best form at Galway but that is a testament to her ability that she still lines up in the final with genuine claims of landing the major prize. The Pat Buckley-trained runner, owned by Nicholas Dela Roche, has been handed a plum draw in trap one but must sharpen up at boxes if she is to play a leading role. The talented daughter of Deerjet Sydney will be finishing strongly from halfway but can ill-afford to concede first run to rivals of this calibre. The remaining finalist is Murt Leahy's Kishlawn Kudos, who goes to traps as the outsider of the sextet. Jointly owned by Gavin and Padraic Nolan, she has only managed to get her head in front once, however, her ability is there for all to see having reach the semi finals of the Sporting Press Irish Oaks at HQ. The daughter of Pestana is undoubtedly capable of posting a 28.70 effort but, like Deerjet Matilda, she will need to produce her very best if she is to enter the reckoning.

Verdict – Despite the trap draw, Magical Mag gets the vote to add another major title to her ever-growing trophy cabinet. She should have too much early speed for Kishlawn Kudos in six, while Avenue Queen is likely to edge inwards from trap four. As a result, 'Mag' may receive a clear passage to the bend, allowing her to overcome likely early rival Ballyhoe Natalee. Avenue Queen is selected to emerge as the main danger, while Deerjet Matilda is taken to complete the podium.

TRACK BOOKMAKERS 550 FINAL

Elsewhere on the card, the supporting final is the Track Bookmakers A3/A4 550, with a €1,200 winner's prize up for grabs.

Of the finalists, opinion is sure to be divided with very little separating them on the clock. However, the narrow vote goes to Portumna Amber, who has been handed a favourable draw in trap one for Mary Muldoon and John Sloyan. The pacey fawn recovered well from first-bend crowding last week to finish strongly for third. Much better housed in red this time around, the daughter of Orchestrate can turn much closer to the pace tonight and the youngest runner in the field is selected to double her career winning tally. Breaghmore Kate looks the principal threat for M.J. Corrigan. Chasing a hat-trick of victories, she too will be finishing strongly in the closing stages. Well drawn in trap three, she is likely to head the market and it would come as no surprise were she to make it three wins from just five starts.

JIMMY FLAHERTY MEMORIAL SEMI-FINALS

The semi-finals of the Jimmy Flaherty Memorial A2/A3 525 also feature on the card and Grangeview Ike will be expected to continue his brilliant run of form in the opening semi-final.

Owned by Michael Hogan, Grangeview Ike is chasing a fourth consecutive victory and arrives in excellent heart after a superb 28.83 .20s performance last time out. On that occasion, he stormed home by six lengths and, with another positive draw in trap one, he looks capable of making every yard. His main rivals include Breaghmore Katie, who also landed her heat in 29.29 .20s after finishing strongly, while Summerfield Tier is another expected to go well for Liam Carr from trap two. A litter sister to Grangeview Ike, she certainly possesses the gears to ask her brother plenty of questions.

Glengar Sofia returned to winning ways in style last week and the Gerry Holian-trained bitch can complete a quick-fire double in the second semi-final. The daughter of Glengar Bale made every yard of the running to record 29.26 .20s and has another favourable draw in trap three from which to repeat the feat. Her 3.28 sectional should be enough to put her in command early and, if doing so, she may prove difficult to reel in. Glamorous Rocket can emerge as the main threat after finishing with a tremendous burst to shed his maiden tag in impressive fashion for the Horan Family Syndicate. That said, he has a more demanding draw in trap four and will need to negotiate the early exchanges. Of the remainder, Rozys Wild produced an excellent effort in defeat for Brian Robinson last week and looks primed for another bold showing from trap five.