ANOTHER NICE POT FOR MAGICAL HOPE

Peter Farrell

A seven-race card at Galway Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night was headed by the final of the €1,200-to-the-winner WGOBA A1/A2 525 and it went very much to script as Magical Hope justified 1/3 favouritism to land the spoils for Patrick and Donal Guilfoyle.

A classy performer on her day, Magical Hope landed the J.P & Pauline Ryan Limerick Oaks back in February and it came as little surprise to see her dominate the betting after an impressive 28.74 success on a track rated .20 slow in last week's semi-final. Drawn in trap four, things didn't go entirely to plan this time around, but the daughter of Dorotas Wildcat and Magical Poppy still had enough in reserve to reel in her rivals late on. At traprise, Portumna Syd flew from the lids and quickly established a clear advantage approaching the opening bend. With the field tightly grouped in behind, both Magical Hope and Glamorous Jet raced prominently in pursuit, although Portumna Syd continued to dictate matters entering the penultimate bend. There was an air of inevitability about the outcome, however. Gradually closing the gap down the back straight, Magical Hope loomed large approaching the final bend before asserting in the closing stages. Staying on powerfully to the line, she emerged a length-and-a-half winner over the fast-finishing Glamorous Jet, with Portumna Syd forced to settle for third after his brave front-running effort. The winning time was 28.97 .20s.