Derry Greyhounds: Retaining the Marathon Crown is 'Maggies Aim'

The 8 race programme on Monday at Brandywell featured the first round semi-finals of the Meenagh Kennels 745 yards Marathon, kindly sponsored by Michael Corr in conjunction with the Brandywell Greyhound Supporters Group. Last year this event was won by Maggies Aim, when it was named the Red Shilling Memorial Marathon and the lady herself has returned again this year to defend her title.

Action was kicked off with a couple of sprint events and it was the well-bred Oldburrin Tiny (Droopys Sydney x Oldburrin Diva, Aug ’21) that was first to earn her place on the winners podium. Owned by Sarah Leahy, Tiny was fast away from trap 4 and despite being under pressure from Olwinn Again, held off his challenge by 1 length in 17.17. This was a first career success for this lightly raced girl who is 3.5 years old.

In Race 2, Curious Chief (Out Of Range Asb x Knockbann Uno, Jul ’23) caught the eye with the manner of his victory on what was only his second career start. He was moderately away from trap 3 and cleverly navigated a path for himself on the inside of the early leaders at the first turn. It was a race winning move and he ran on strongly to win by 3.25 lengths, clocking 17.00 for owner John McCann and trainer Roy Ruddy.

Maggies Aim (Black Parachute x Cornamaddy Arrow, Mar ’22) lined up in the first semi-final of the Meenagh Kennels 745 Marathon and made the most of her trap 1 draw to take up an early lead and thereafter was never headed for owner Martin Corr.

Tammy Kay kept up a strong gallop throughout and was only 2.5 lengths away in second. Longstone Cilla, fresh from a 6 bend win in Tralee, was further 4.75 lengths away in third place. It was an impressive 42.57 clock for the winner in comparison with her time of 43.04 which was good enough to win this event last year.

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The second semi-final of the Meenagh Kennels 745 Marathon was a thrilling affair with 3 dogs turning for home almost in a line and all still with chances of winning. But it was the Kyle McCarron owned and Martin Gallagher trained Whobreaksderules (Droopys Sydney x Magnetism, Dec ’22) that relished the extra yards, coming from last to first and pulled away from her rivals on the homestraight to land the spoils in 42.99 by 3.75 lengths from Swan Hero, with Rough Teepee, who had cut out the early pace, 0.75 lengths back in third place.

The track and marathon experience gained this week which was new for some of the finalists, the trap draw for the final and gaining a clear passage early on may play important parts in the outcome of next week’s final.

Brandywell on Monday; Joyce Scott presented the Killybeg Kennels Trophy to Patrick Doyle after Brandywell Pride was voted our favourite performer at the 10/3/25 race meeting.

We reverted to the 500 yard trip for the next two races and it was the Frank McCullough owned False Claim (Pestana x Kishlawn Shakira, Sep ’22) that recovered from a slow start out of trap 6 to win Race 5. He paced up well to the first turn and kept a wide berth on the outside of his rivals as he turned into the back straight and forged into a commanding lead.

The 500 yard trip was plenty far enough for him and he held on by a neck to win in 28.32 with the fast finishing Margan Aggie leaving her challenge just a stride too late. This was a first career success for False Claim on his 11th attempt.

Ardevan Soldier (Malachi x Ardevan Star, Aug ’23) was impressive when recording the first success of his 4 race career. Oliver Canavan’s Soldier was only moderately away from trap 1 but had enough pace to hold his inside pitch and lead at the first turn. From there he went on to win unchallenged. His time for the 500 yards was 27.93 and Corbrack Bono ran on well 3.5 lengths back in second place.

Races 7 & 8 were run over the sprint distance and John McQuillian’s Rough Flame (Pestana x Bubbly Rose, Jul ’22) ran a creditable race to win 16.94. Only moderately away from trap 5, Flame went into the first turn in third place but she ran terrific bends on the outside or her rivals to emerge in front entering the home straight. She won by 1.25 lengths from Mimees Lad in second place.

There was a welcome return to form for Colm McRory’s Run On Now (Broadstrand Bono x Borna Blossom, Apr ’22) whose last win came at Lifford back in August. Drawn in trap 2, she shared the early pace battle to the first bend. Her main rival Sniper Big Tom moved wide which allowed Run On Now to build up enough of a lead to hold off the fast finishing Derrymore Dan by 1 length in 17.05.

Brandywell on Monday; Emma Campbell was presented with a trophy in recognition of Beautiful Emma’s (her namesake) recent win at Brandywell. Trophy sponsored by Jutta Hochgräfer.

The feature races on Saturday night at Lifford Greyhound Stadium were the semi finals of the Northwest Greyhound Supplies A3/A4 525 and Drveen Lass set the standard as she took full advantage of her late call-up as a reserve.

This lady landed a sprint sweepstake at the tail-end of 2024 and Jim Joe McGrath’s charge continues to impress after being stepped up to the four-bend trip. Drawn in trap five, the daughter of Burgess Bucks and Moss Avenue was an easy to bet 4/1 chance in the market but she showed the superior early pace to comfortably lead from her wide berth. In doing so, she held a commanding lead down the back and result was never in doubt as she stayed on stoutly to emerge a three length winner. The time was a fast 29.23 as both Ballybun Ranger and Ballygogue Jet claimed the other two qualifying positions in second and third respectively.

In the second semi, Chubbys Impact (Ballymac Bolger - Chubbys Rolex) secured her first win since transitioning from Thurles to Lifford. Owned by Charles Coyle of Derry, this lady opened a huge lead as she entered the back straight with some eight lengths in hand over her rivals. Looking sure to emerge a most comfortable winner, El Nido had other ideas as he closed the gap considerably around the bottom two bends.

However, his efforts were all in vain as Chubbys Impact, a 4/1 chance, held on gamely to score by a diminishing half-length. The time was 29.41 with Whodoyoucollar sealing the all-important third finishing position.

There was a sweepstake final in race six as €600 went on offer and it was Mineola Eugene that bounced back to winning ways for Seamus McCloskey. Dance Hoffa was installed as the even money favourite in this contest after two flawless performances in the earlier rounds, however, he was never at the races on the night that mattered as Mineola Eugene blew holes in his rivals early on.

Brandywell on Monday; Killmacs Best was presented with the All The Luck In Life Trophy in recognition of this veteran’s recent 5 consecutive wins. Pictured with Ronan Wray (left) & Kevin O’Kane.

Breaking well from one, ‘Eugene’ quickly excelled past Evies Star on the run-up and thereafter, he proved too hot to handle in emerging two lengths better off than Rockpit Lenny in second. The time for the 7/4 second favourite was 17.75.

On Sunday’s SIS meeting, there were a couple of doubles for the kennel of Austin Maxwell and Francie Reynolds. It was the ‘Crokers’ greyhounds that got the ball rolling for the Maxwell kennel as Crokers Bale (Magical Bale – Killeen Princess) finished at speed to seal a fifth career win. Drawn in one, ‘Bale’ looked to have cooked his goose early on as the 7/1 chance sat third, however, he showed steady progress to close the gap at the midway point.

At this point, Rough Saint held all the aces up top but she couldn’t withstand the powerful finish of Crokers Bale in the closing stages. Storming to a half-length victory, the time was 29.57. In the very next race, Crokers Brian implemented different tactics as he won in trap-to-line fashion. Sent to trap as a 7/2 chance, the son of Crokers Samba arrived with a decent trial and he flew from his inside berth in one to lead. In doing so, he tracked nicely to stay on well and emerge a five length winner over Freedom Tonic in second. The time was 29.51.

Lurgan owner, Francis Reynolds, was the next to seal a double and it was Be Flashy (5/2) that was the first to seal victory. Bidding for back-to-back wins, Be Flashy stuck close to Longtrain Running until halfway, before turning the screw late on and showing the superior stamina. Emerging a half-length winner, the time for the son of Dorotas Wildcat was 29.84.

Tinks Lad (Grangeview Ten – Burning Candle) is something of a fan favourite amongst punters and he justified his 5/4 billing in race ten. On this occasion, ‘Tinks’ had a ding-dong battle with Wrong Price until the halfway mark, however, he knuckled down brilliantly to outstay his rivals and cross the line one and a half lengths clear of Aghaderry Odhran. The time was 29.95.