Derry Greyhounds: Gold ambition for Orange Aidan ahead of Meenagh Marathon Final

There was a full 8 race programme on Monday evening which featured the first round semi-finals of the Meenagh Kennels Marathon, sponsored by Michael Corr in conjunction with the Brandywell Greyhound Supporters Group.

Action got underway with a couple of sprint races and first to earn a place on the winners podium was the PJ Tynan trained Stacks Field (Koblenz x Knockout Pearl, Aug ’24). Trapping fast from the 6 box, Field cut out the early running with Mulroy Torpedo but Field had pulled a couple of lengths ahead of his rival at the first turn and ran out a very easy 7.5 lengths winner in 16.98.

This was an impressive effort from the handsome white and fawn, 18 month old, Stacks Field who was having only his second race and who is owned by the Hit The Road Syndicate.

There was a winning race debut for the Sean Maxwell owned Roanna Nena (Pestana x Sunline, Feb ’24) in Race 2. Well away from trap 6, Nena reached the first bend on the outside of the early leaders and kept a wide course. There was some crowding on her inside and she burst a few lengths clear of her rivals. Despite losing ground running wide off the second bend, she had enough in hand to win by 4.5 lengths in 16.84. It was noted that she ran on strongly into the escape which bodes well for when she steps up to 4 bend action.

Michael Corr, the Meenagh Kennels Marathon sponsor, landed a lovely double on Monday evening despite not getting his marathon hopefuls through to the Final of his sponsored event. In Race 3, Meenagh Malmoe (Good Cody x Meenagh Miracle, Mar ’24) was evenly away from trap 2 and moved middle on the run to the first turn.

Brandywell; Race 5, MEENAGH KENNELS MARATHON 745 Yds. 2ND Semi Final was won by ZOOS ARIEL in 43.95. Pictured with Richard Grieve.

She took a bump from the dog on her outside yet still had enough early pace to lead round the bend. Once in front, she stretched to a 4 length win in 28.09 which was the fastest time of the night. This was her third career win from just 10 starts and it landed the first leg of her owner’s double.

The Meenagh Kennels Marathon semi-finals were next to be decided and Orange Aidan (Deerjet Sydney x Orange Helen, Oct ’23) set the standard in the first heat. Lightly raced with only 5 career starts, there was none the less strong market confidence that the Noel McMullan owned and Jimmy Anderson trained 4/6 favourite, Orange Aidan, would be up for the task ahead. Indeed, he delivered a comprehensive performance after a good start from trap 1.

He went neck and neck with Meenagh Mecca for the first 3 bends and thereafter stretched to a decisive 8 length victory in 43.22 for the 745 yards. Train Blossom ran on for second place after a slow start and Laoises Pet claimed the third qualifying place for the Final from this heat.

It looked like the second semi-final was also going to produce a runaway winner in Richard Grieve’s owned Zoos Ariel (Malachi x Helens Bay, May ’23) after he built up a long lead on the back straight. However, he had accumulated just enough of an advantage early doors to hold on for victory by 1 length in 43.95. Ariel had led from trap 6 and with some jostling for position in behind him, it could be argued that Text Roisin in trap 2 was unlucky in running to only secure the runner up position.

Roisin looks like she will appreciate a longer trip than the 745 yards and may be a contender for some of the prestigious marathon events on the mainland this year. Spiritinthesky finished third and claimed the last remaining place in the Final.

Lifford on Saturday; Race 4 - MAGICAL KENNELS ON2/ON3 325 Semi-Final was won by CASH YOUR CHIPS in 17.65. Pictured with Niall Conlon & Karen Mullan.

Richard Graham has got Ace Princess (Signet Ace x Young Princess, Apr ’24) into a rich vein of form. She made it two wins in a row when landing Race 6 over the 500 yards. She was evenly away from trap 4 and was shuffled back to fifth place at the first turn. Her track craft quickly brought her to second place entering the back straight and she set about challenging the early leader Danubius between the third and fourth bends. Thereafter she stretched to a 4 length victory in 28.70.

Michael Corr’s ‘Meenagh’ double was completed in Race 7 over the 500 yards trip. Meenagh Muscat (Mustang Jet x Meenagh Melody, Jun ’24) made the most of her trap 1 draw by flying the lids for a trap to line victory in 28.74. This was her second success from 10 starts. Maggies Return ran on well to claim second place.

The last race of the night went to the super consistent Brandywell sprint specialist Ballyskeagh Nova (Ballymac Vic x Avongate Nova, Jun ’23) who recorded a fantastic fourth win over course and distance in 2026. Her usual slick exit from trap 6 was enough for her to lead the field early and she ran out an easy 3.25 length winner in 17.16. She now has 9 career wins from just 23 starts for owners Patrick Gibson and Paul O’Neill.

The semi-finals of the Magical Kennels ON2/ON3 325 took centre stage at Lifford Stadium on Saturday night and the Brendan Matthews-owned Cash Your Chips (Dromana Bucko – Unbeatable) sealed a narrow victory to go quickest. Indeed, this proved the race of the night as both he and Bucko went toe-to-toe in what was just a four-dog affair.

Both had impressed on debut and as such, they couldn’t be separated in the betting market, both installed as the even money favourites. At traprise, it was clear it was to become a ding-dong affair, so much so, that the trap draw was the only thing that separated the pair. With Bucko on the outside in four, Cash Your Chips received first run on the Brian Robinson-owned pup and despite his best efforts up the home straight, the Newry runner held firm to emerge a neck ahead of Robinson’s charge. The time was 17.65 and both will be strongly fancied to claim the €1,500-to-the-winner purse this Saturday night.

Lifford on Saturday; Race 7 - NWGOBA S1/S2 325 was won by GORTIN DAN in 17.64. Pictured with Niall McGhee & his son Darragh McGhee.

In the opening semi final, there was drama aplenty as Reenaderry Bucko sealed a neck victory over Gizmo Mystery. A 4/1 chance, ‘Reenaderry’ showed fine early pace and despite surrendering the lead, came back for more to claim a first career success, in 18.28.

In the second semi, John McGee went one better as Gizmo Alpha maintained his unbeaten tag with another powerful performance. Drawn in six, the son of Gizmo Cash – Canyar, a 2/1 chance motored around the outside to hit the front at the opener. From here, ‘Gizmo’ flew up the home straight to cross the line two lengths clear of Unbearable.

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Elsewhere on the card, it was all about the sprinters and the best of these was the Niall McGhee-trained Gortin Dan. Owned by his son, Darragh, ‘Dan’ was a terrific winner in bottomless conditions last time out, so a prime draw in trap one saw him sent off as the even money favourite.

In charge early on after a blistering start, the son of Pestana – Nemesis take ownership early on, before dominating his rivals to claim a two and a half length success over White Runners. The time was 17.64.