CRISPY HEADS BOYLE SPORTS LIFFORD OAKS ENTRY

Peter Farrell

The €15,000-to-the-winner BOYLE Sports Lifford Oaks gets underway this Saturday night at Lifford Greyhound Stadium and, following yesterday evening’s draw, a host of top-class ladies are set to descend on the North-West venue for its flagship event.

Spearheading the entry is Droopys Crispy, who arrives on the back of a stunning performance in the final of the Paddy Merriman Memorial 525 at Shelbourne Park at the start of October. On that occasion, the Barry Clancy-trained star clocked a brilliant 27.93, dipping under the 28-second barrier for the second consecutive week. She is likely to be installed as the outright favourite for the Lifford renewal and has been handed a favourable trap one draw in heat two on Saturday night. However, she faces a formidable rival in Mystical Nala, who recorded one of the fastest debut times in history when posting 27.98 for Pat Guilfoyle and Eoin Troy. Her recent 28.67 trial around Lifford also reads very well and she looks a leading contender as Guilfoyle bids to defend the crown landed by Magical Mag twelve months ago.

Indeed, Pat Guilfoyle brings a formidable team to the North-West for the second consecutive year. Magical Fiona and Magical Be Nifty both moved well in trial spins last weekend, the former getting the better of her kennel companion by three and a half lengths in 28.62, and both can be expected to take several steps forward for the look around. While the Guilfoyle kennel impressed, the mantle of quickest trial performer went to Brendan Matthews’ Unassuming. The strong-running daughter of Unlock Unlock looks tailor-made for the demanding Lifford circuit and she posted a superb 28.52 prior to racing last Saturday night. On the evidence of that effort, she is another major player.

Overall, it is a particularly strong entry for the 2026 renewal of the BOYLE Sports Lifford Oaks, with the likes of Ashleen Sublime, Droopys Mezza, Berry On Faya, Bombay Special, Droopys Honor and Rolo Eugenie also adding considerable depth to what promises to be a hugely competitive renewal. In terms of local hopes, Alan Byrne and Rebecca Porter are triple-handed with Ballymac Jayah, Ballymac Jetaway and Drumdoit Audrey, while track specialist Drveen Lass will also fly the local flag for Jim Joe McGrath, having been drawn in the concluding heat.

The full opening-round draw can be found HERE