Scientific and Ballymac Smokey are Oaks fancies

THIS season’s Oaks qualifier at Ballyduff has been the form template for the bitches this term, having produced winner after winner in the prevailing weeks. The Bobby O’Connell owned Scientific proved best on that occasion beating no less than four subsequent Trial Stake winners en route.

The Castleisland runner needed to be at her best to deny the John Flynn trained Joyandjubilation in round 3 at the North Kerry fixture and the pair appear likely to go to slips at the same juncture next weekend. The latter has been well supported in the lead up to the event and the result of their predicted clash may well have a big bearing on the final outcome.

The local challenge is extremely strong in the opening quarter and it would hardly be surprising if one of Lets Get Started, Kate Blossom or SomelittleSpirit wore the red collar going to slips in the opening semi-final on Sunday afternoon. Ballymac Fame and Tobarmartin Mags line out in the second quarter, but it is hard to oppose Icon Queen who really impressed when winning at Trim.

Connections of Safe Date will be hoping that their charge can reproduce her Trial Stake winning form in a competitive third quarter. Willie O’Shea’s runner heads to the meeting with a big profile but her biggest threats for a place in the semi-finals may well come from the Liam Dowling trained duo of Ballymac

Smokey and Corn Na Feile winner Ballymac Amber.

The latter is currently priced at 9/1 but preference is given to her kennel companion and Lixnaw qualifier Ballymac Smokey who may well prove worth following at 16/1.

CHAMPION STAKES

BOYLESPORTS Magic will start a worthy favourite for the All Age event and the Liam Dowling trained runner is hard to oppose on his form this season. He may well face his toughest test of the weekend in his opening round clash with the Noreen McManus owned Return Ticket; however, it is hard to see the latter staying with the pace of the jolly on the testing hill. The Tom O’Connor trained Cryuff landed a tough draw against Huntingtown, and the Ballyheigue runner will need to be at his best to progress. Island Cup winner, Netflixandchill is expected to come through from the top half of the draw.

CHAMPION BITCH STAKE

CON Guiney will be hoping it will be third time lucky at the National Meeting with Share The Dream. The 5/4f emulates her dame by qualifying for Clonmel for the third season in a row and has shown terrific form this season. Kingdom Cup winner Catch Kazuri leads the local challenge at 4/1 and may well spring a surprise in the opening round against last season’s Oaks runner up Crafty Perfecto. Denis Leen’s runner may well face Ballymac Marge in the penultimate round who gets the vote to lower the colours of Kilty Candy in her opening buckle.