NO MARGIN FOR ERROR IN BOYLE SPORTS LIFFORD OAKS SEMIS

Peter Farrell

After a strong opening to the 2026 BOYLE Sports Oaks 525 at Lifford Stadium, the action ramps up in the Northwest later tonight as two red-hot semi-finals go down for decision, with connections of all those still involved hoping to secure a place in next weekend’s €15,000-to-the-winner decider.

While there wasn’t too much to separate the four opening-round heat winners on the clock, it was Drumdoit Audrey who set the standard for Rebecca Porter and Alan Byrne, and the talented daughter of McInerny – Ballymac Ariel will line out in trap six in tonight’s second semi-final.

It was hard not to be impressed by the performance of the October whelp seven days ago, as she came from well off the pace to sweep around Magical Fiona late on and clock a superb 28.51, the quickest time recorded around Lifford in over three years. Incredibly, the lightly raced brindle didn't break too fluently on that occasion and, with a level start, she could produce something special for connections. That said, she can ill-afford any slip-ups with some hugely talented ladies drawn on her inside. Of her dangers, the Pat Guilfoyle pairing of Magical Fiona and Magical Be Nifty are likely to dispute the early running. The former posted the fastest sectional to the third bend last weekend and is entitled to improve further, given it was her first competitive appearance at the Donegal venue. Trap one is notoriously difficult to negotiate, however, and she will need to be on her toes if she is to dictate matters early on. Instead, Magical Be Nifty may emerge as the main threat from trap two. A Galway Oaks winner and Munster Oaks runner-up, the daughter of Droopys Jet is well accustomed to the big occasion and will no doubt take several steps forward from last week's 28.77 performance. Elsewhere, Unassuming did well to qualify last weekend despite encountering traffic problems and remains a threat, while Berry On Faya showed an eye-catching turn of pace to go down by a diminishing head in 28.66 last time out. Droopys Mezza, meanwhile, faces a tricky draw in five and will need to rocket from traps if she is to enter calculations. Selection – Drumdoit Audrey / Danger – Magical Be Nifty

CRISPY TO BITE BACK

Droopys Crispy suffered a shock opening round defeat for Barry Clancy, however, she remains a massive player in this Oaks and is the selection to get back to winning ways.

One of the fastest ladies in training, Droopys Crispy was sent off as the 1/2 favourite when forced to settle for second last time out, however, she lost little in defeat after showcasing blistering back-straight pace before being forced to check at the penultimate bend. Indeed, she will benefit from a more favourable draw in trap three tonight and a front-running masterclass could be on the cards from the daughter of Droopys Addition. Of her main rivals, Gealltanas Grace was the surprise package of the opening round and she will probably be expected to emerge as the principal threat to ‘Crispy’. Drawn in six, the daughter of Black Parachute showed a terrific turn of early speed on that occasion and stayed on powerfully to post a rapid 28.55. On that evidence, she will prove a tough nut to crack if reproducing that level of performance. Cosmic Dancer made Brendan Maunsell’s journey from Kerry worthwhile last weekend as she too landed her opening-round assignment in 28.66, holding off Berry On Faya by a head. While she is certainly capable of playing a part, her trap-five draw is far from ideal and one suspects a flying start will be required if she is to stake a claim. Instead, Droopys Honor could prove the dark horse in this line-up. Representing the Murt Leahy kennel, this lady showed glimpses of what she can do last time out and posted 28.70 on the clock when finishing behind Drumdoit Audrey in third. Drawn in two, she is likely to have too much early pace for Ballymac Jetaway on her inside and, if securing the rails, could give Droopys Crispy the most to think about. Of the remaining contenders, Ballymac Jetaway is very well drawn in red but may need traffic problems among her rivals to get involved, while Drveen Lass would have preferred to be drawn a little closer to the rails. The latter is a specialist around Lifford but will need to produce one of her trademark flying starts if she is to make the frame for Jim Joe McGrath. Selection – Droopys Crispy / Danger – Droopys Honor

*****

NORTHWEST GREYHOUND SUPPLIES SEMIS

The three semi-finals of the Northwest Greyhound Supplies A2/A3 525 provide plenty of interest on the supporting card, with several impressive opening-round winners hoping to book their places in next weekend’s decider.

The quickest in the opening round was Eimears Lady for Gerard Quinn and Brian Robinson, and she lines out in tonight’s second semi-final from trap four. The TIME Graders Derby finalist took a flyer on that occasion as she posted a rapid 28.77, but she may need to produce something similar with Green Me Granny also involved tonight. The latter, trained by Brendan Matthews, was arguably the standout performer of round one after recovering from an early bump to power past his rivals and clock 28.99. Of particular note is a change of seed for ‘Granny’, who will don the red jacket tonight, and should the heavyweight son of Ballymac Cashout break on terms, he could produce something special.

In the opening semi-final, Lissatouk Fred is the likely favourite and has been handed a favourable draw in trap two. The Kurtis Bain-trained runner clocked 28.95 on his Lifford debut last time out and is entitled to improve further, given it was his first competitive appearance at the venue. Roanna Ranger looks the main threat once again, while On The Wire was impressive in defeat last time out and is another capable of getting involved.

The last of the semi-finals could see Reenaderry Ellie make it back-to-back victories for Brian Robinson. The daughter of Dromana Bucko posted 29.15 on her comeback win and, given it was her first race since July, she should strip even fitter tonight. Drumnafern Balor is the likely market leader and has obvious claims after winning comfortably in the opening round, while Dilly Mac Best is running out of her skin of late and has a favourable draw in two to enter calculations.