A MAGICAL DOUBLE IN LIMERICK OAKS OPENER

Peter Farrell

The opening heats of the €7,500-to-the-winner J.P & Pauline Ryan Limerick Oaks got underway on Saturday night and it proved a fruitful evening for Patrick Guilfoyle, who accounted for a double, including a joint-fastest effort from Magical Poppet in heat three.

Running from trap three, Magical Poppet went to traps as the 2/1 second favourite behind Whizzing Annie and, although she was having her first start of 2026, ran out a very comfortable winner. Emerging from a level start to show the best of the early pace, ‘Poppet’ moved into a two-and-a-half length advantage down the back straight from Garbally Twink in second. It remained a relatively close affair until the final two bends, where the daughter of Dorotas Wildcat – Magical Poppy began to turn the screw. A solid marathon performer, the further they went, the bigger the gap grew as Patrick and Donal Guilfoyle’s charge raced to a commanding five-and-a-half length victory over Snuggie Tasha in second. The time was 28.54.

The double was completed in the concluding heat as litter sister Magical Hope also upped the ante late on to justify her 4/5 favouritism. A top-class lady who recently contested the final of the Christmas Oaks at Shelbourne, ‘Hope’ donned the orange jacket but didn’t break too fluently, surrendering the early lead to Burgess Bonnie on the inside. However, stalking her rival down the back, Magical Hope made her move passing the 750-yard box as she stormed past Burgess Bonnie, before flying up the home straight to record a three-and-a-half length win. The time was 28.74.

ZEN JOINT QUICKEST

It wouldn’t be a big Limerick stake without a runner from the kennel of Corona Ryan and she was represented by Beaming Zen, who ran a terrific race to make it five career wins.

Jointly owned by Chris Connolly, Beaming Zen came in off the back of a smart 18.83 trial around the Dock Road circuit and she showcased that electric early speed at traps, breaking well to leave her rivals for dust on the inside. Holding a narrow lead into the back from the stout stayer Youandme Babe, it looked a matter of time before the latter raced past her rival based on prior performances. However, Beaming Zen proved too strong on the night and once she straightened up for home, the daughter of Doolin Duke – Beaming Smasher powered clear to cross the line three-and-a-half lengths clear of Youandme Babe in second. The time was identical to Magical Poppet, 28.54.

MADGE OPENS IN STYLE

One of the leading outright contenders, Lennies Madge, got the Oaks off to a flyer in heat one as she proved a class above her rivals to justify her even-money price tag

Trained by Paul Hennessy for Lee Craze, Lennies Madge is majestic on her day and this display was a positive sign that she is on her way back to her very best. Drawn in six, ‘Madge’ was out with the washing early doors as the daughter of Justice Minister completely fluffed her lines to sit at the rear of proceedings. Despite Galway Oaks winner Badly Behaving dictating at the head, Lennies Madge blew holes in her rivals down the far side to storm to the front within the blink of an eye. Now in total control, ‘Madge’ maintained a strong gallop late on to cross the line two-and-a-half lengths clear of Badly Behaving in second. Arguably the performance of the night given what she lost early doors, the time was 28.66.

ABI ANOTHER LATE ARRIVAL

The final heat of the night saw Rossa Abi continue her upward trajectory for owner and trainer Thomas O’Donovan.

This lady caught the eye in recent starts around Cork and in her last outing at Limerick, and she certainly learned plenty from that run as she again stalked her rivals before delivering a late flurry. The 6/4 favourite, Rossa Abi was afforded plenty of room on the run-up from trap one but was no match early for the speed of Ridgemount Sky in five. The latter galloped into a four-length lead down the back, but this advantage proved short-lived as Rossa Abi edged closer between the bottom two bends. In full throttle turning for home, the young daughter of Tommy Shelby – Azzabi hit the front midway up the home straight to cross the line half a length better off than Ridgemount Sky. The time was 28.65.