Derry Greyhounds: Power-ful run by Ferndale in Daniel Canning Memorial heat

After a week off to facilitate the Foyle Cup, were back greyhound racing at Brandywell on Monday for the first round heats of both the Daniel Canning Memorial 500 and the Johnny McLaughlin Memorial Sprint which were the feature events on an 8 race programme.

First to grace the winners’ podium was Ballyskeagh Nova (Ballymac Vic x Avongate Nova, Jun ’23) for owners Patrick Gibson and Paul O’Neill. It was a case of lightening striking twice for Nova who repeated her win just a fortnight ago in exactly the same time of 17.29 for the 300 yards. Indeed the style of her win was also a repeat performance, racing from the same trap 6 draw and being upsides the leaders at the first turn where she ran a strong first bend on their outside to decisively control the eventual outcome by an impressive 5.75 lengths.

Heat 1 of the Johnny McLaughlin Memorial Sprint went to Thomas Mullan’s Luminous Nelly (Serene Ace x Likely Gift, Sep ’23), a purchase from the Kilkenny Sales in May who is improving with every race.

Fast away from trap 4, Nelly was joined by Skywalker Tina on her inside at the first turn but Nelly ran a terrific first bend to regain the advantage which she held to the line to win by 1 length in 17.01. She has had a terrific start to her career, winning all three of her races. Nelly also won the £50 Brandywell Greyhound Supporters Group Bonus in this race.

Sarah Leahy’s Aventus (Droopys Sydney x Droopys Alice, Jul ’23) went just a shade faster in Heat 2 of the Johnny McLaughlin Memorial Sprint when she won in 16.98. Trained by Kevin Canning, Aventus was fast away from trap 6 and got to the first turn just ahead of her rivals. She kept on well up the home straight to hold off her nearest challenger Shanmoyle Amy by 1.5 lengths.

Brandywell Race 1, Brandywell Track 300 Sprint was won by BALLYSKEAGH NOVA in 17.29. Pictured with Leigh Thompson & Patrick Gibson.

This lady is superbly well bred out of a dam that has thrown a plethora of champions from her 3 repeat mating litters to Droopys Sydney. Anything Aventus can achieve on the track is a bonus given that her true legacy to the sport may well be as a dam in years to come.

Next to be decided were the 3 first round heats of the Daniel Canning Memorial 500 and the star of the show was Johnny Scott’s Ferndale Power (Ballyhimikin Jet x Great Jet, May ’23) in Heat 1. Ideally drawn in trap 1, Power was gifted a clear passage to the first turn as Corbrack Bono moved middle from trap 2.

The early pace was set by Roseville Bob in trap 4 but Power had tucked in behind him rounding the first turn and took up the lead entering the back straight. Once in front he was in no danger of being caught and opened up 5.5 lengths on his rivals as he crossed the line in a career best time of 27.89. This was his thirteenth race since he last won in March and it proved to be lucky 13.

Trap 1 produced the winner of Heat 2 of the Daniel Canning Memorial 500. Meenagh Manila (Broadstrand Bono x Meenagh Miracle, Jun ’23) was only moderately away from boxes but with crowding at the first turn, Manila had the perfect inside pitch to take advantage.

She took up the lead entering the back straight and with bags of stamina to draw upon, she ran on strongly to win by 4.25 lengths in 28.00. This was only her second career win from 18 starts but gaining a clear run has limited her success thus far. She is undoubtedly pacey when getting a trouble free run and has a 6 bend win at Shelbourne Park to her credit.

Brandywell: Race 3, Johnny McLaughlin Memorial Sprint. Rd 1 Ht.2.l was won by ADVENTUS in 16.98. Pictured with Shea Cassidy.

Reneas Boy (Deerjet Sydney x Culdaff Lady, Jan ’24) made it 3 wins in a row after stepping up to 500 yards for the first time in Heat 3 of the Daniel Canning Memorial 500. Well away from trap 2, Boy was up with the lead at the first turn but took a slight bump wide.

None the less he remained focused and quickly took up a commanding lead entering the back straight. There were no stamina issues and he ran on well to win by an impressive 7.5 lengths in 28.21. There could be plenty more to come from this young pup who only turns 2 years old in Jan ’26.

Race 7 was Heat 3 of the Johnny McLaughlin Sprint and it was a very close affair. It was the Ciaran Murphy owned and Kieran Morgan trained Tri Bella (Ballymac Best x Santas Jet, Sep ’23) that got the verdict.

Well away from trap 6, she was on the outside of the leaders at the first turn and ran a terrific first bend to take up the all-important lead. Bella ran wide coming off the second bend and allowed track specialist Meet More Often to steal valuable ground on her inside. But Bella had done enough and held off her challenger by a short head in 17.22.

Brandywell; Paul Hughes with the veteran winners trophy that ONTIMEFORTHREE won at our last race meeting on 14/7/25. Sponsored by Danny McGilloway.

Leigh Thompson’s prolific Diegos Manna (Premier Fantasy x Sidarian Fern, Jul ’22) showed his versatility over 2 bends when he won Race 8 in the fastest time of the night. This strong running hound made the most of his trap 1 draw, marginally out trapping Ontimeforthree who had won last time out in a flying 16.74. Both dog were rallying for the lead at the first turn and despite pressure from his rival, Manna held his inside pitch and used it to his advantage to open up a lead which he extended to 3.75 lengths as he crossed the line in 16.89 for the 300 yards.

There may have been just nine races on offer at Lifford Stadium on Saturday night but it was a case of quality over quantity with a number of eye-catching performances on offer. The star of the show on the night was again representing the in-form kennel of Jim Joe McGrath, who just one-week prior landed the BoyleSports Irish Derby Trial Stake with Drveen Lass. Indeed, Jim looks to have unlocked another talented tracker with his latest recruit, Glavin Thief as she dominated her S4/S5 325 in race eight.

Drawn in trap two, the September pup set out her stall early with a good break from her rails berth and thereafter, it proved a formality for the talented daughter of Zero Ten and Mary The Thief. Running to a two and three parts of a length success over Stouke Trump in second, the time was a blistering 17.58, which was the fastest of the night.

Another standout performer on the night came in the form of Margan Jet in the second semi final of the Fitzwilliam ON2/ON3 325. Owned by George Cregan, this lady came in for strong support and went to traps as the 1/2 favourite to prevail on debut. Showing the best of the early gears from three, the daughter of Pestana – Dunquin Ida was pressed hard by Robbies Goal late on, however, crossed the line a comfortable three and a half lengths clear of her rival, in 17.75.

Over the standard trip, the plaudits were shared as both Kimcat and Spiritinthesky both posted identical times. The first to prevail was Kimcat for owner Jim Hughes. Just an October whelp, the son of Ballymac Cashout recovered from a bumpy ride last time out to take charge at halfway and draw clear thereafter. The time was 29.28, which was matched by Spiritinthesky in the very next race.

Lifford on Saturday; Race 2 - The FITZWILLIAM ON2/ON3 325 SWEEPSTAKE Semi-Final was won by MARGAN JET in 17.75. Pictured with George Cregan (on right)& Luke McSheffrey with his daughter Aela.

Normally a stout stayer, Gary Simpson’s lady hit the front early on this time around and there was only going to be one winner as a result. Running to a six and a quarter length success, the daughter of Ballymac Inspeed posted a career best as she too dipped under the 29.30 mark.

On Sunday’s SIS meeting, the star of the show was the Paul Magee-trained Ballycowen Izzy as she returned to her very best to make every inch of the running. Installed as the 15/8 favourite, the daughter of Ballymac Anton and Ballycowen Lola took charge early on in this contest and in truth, she never looked like getting picked off as she set a smart gallop to prevail by a comprehensive three lengths. The time for John McNamee’s black was a swift 29.17.