MAGICAL AND FLYERS LOCK HORNS IN PAUL MCKENNA MEMORIAL DECIDER

Peter Farrell

Kindly sponsored by the talented trainer Vincent McKenna, the final of the Paul McKenna Memorial A5/A6 525 offers a fine €1,700 prize to the winner, an incentive that should attract a good attendance to Galway Greyhound Stadium tonight.

Heading into the decider, two runners have set themselves apart in the form of Magical Be Nifty and Flyers Penney. Of the pair, Magical Be Nifty, representing the Pat Guilfoyle kennel, is the likely favourite having dipped below the magical 29-second barrier at Galway, a benchmark rarely achieved. While she could not replicate that exact performance in the semi-finals, the daughter of Droopys Jet and Magical Poppy still impressed, overcoming a below-par break to assert comfortably from the second bend. Drawn in trap three, she faces immediate pressure from her chief rival on the inside, though her superior stamina may ultimately prove decisive. Flyers Penney, however, presents a formidable challenge. Trained by Colm Fitzgerald, the daughter of Signet Ace and Pennylane Sheba boasts five wins from six starts, an outstanding return for an August 2024 whelp. Ideally housed in trap two, just inside Magical Be Nifty, a repeat of her sharp 3.31 sectional from the opening round would see her mount a serious challenge to the market leader. Beyond the leading duo, Orbsen Fixit remains a credible contender. Owned by Tom Kelly and Tom Tobin, she captured her opening-round heat in 29.35 but found no answer to Magical Be Nifty in their most recent clash. Nevertheless, the daughter of Good News retains potential and could benefit significantly from a favourable draw in trap one. Elsewhere, Grangeview Icon has yet to enjoy a clear passage in the competition, though her underlying ability is evident for trainer Michael Hogan. Meanwhile, both Highview Exotic and Ballyhale Evan are expected to finish strongly and could capitalise should early congestion impact the principals.

NOVICE SPRINT SEMIS

Aside from the feature contest, the two semi-finals of the Galway Unraced ON2/ON3 350 provide strong support on the card, with Crafty Moirai shaping as the standout in the opening heat.

Drawn in trap three, Peter Divilly’s powerful black has made a perfect start to his career and maintained that unbeaten record with a well-timed late surge last time out. A similar approach is expected here, though he may not have the luxury of conceding ground early. Chief among the dangers is Vincent McKenna’s Clonearl Flyer, who impressed with a sharp 19.19 on debut. Trained by Conor McGrath, his charge endured early crowding in defeat last time but remains a major player if afforded a clearer passage. Omey Fog also enters calculations from a favourable inside berth in trap one.

The second semi-final presents an opportunity for Cascade Thor to atone for a narrow defeat. On that occasion, ‘Thor’ was collared late by Crafty Moirai, but a move to trap six could prove decisive in allowing him to avoid early congestion and assert late. His principal threat may come from Caislean Mia, who arrives off the back of a victory and is ideally housed in trap one, a draw that could see her dictate matters from the outset.