Luminous Nelly’s glowing success at Brandywell.

Johnny McLaughlin Memorial Sprint. Rd 1 Ht.1 was won by LUMINOUS NELLY in 17.01. Pictured with Thomas Mullan who also won the £50 Bonus paid out by the Brandywell Greyhound Supporters Group which was presented by Caellach Ming. Cadain Ming is extreme left of photo & he is alongside Oisin Mc Glinchey.

Brandywell Review

After a week’s break for the Foyle Cup, greyhound racing resumed at Brandywell on Monday with the initial heats of the Daniel Canning Memorial 500 and the Johnny McLaughlin Memorial Sprint headlining an eight-race program.

The first winner was Ballyskeagh Nova, owned by Patrick Gibson and Paul O'Neill, repeating her past victory with a time of 17.29 for 300 yards. Starting from trap 6, she executed a powerful first bend, pulling ahead to win by five and three-quarter lengths.

In the Johnny McLaughlin Memorial Sprint's Heat 1, Thomas Mullan's Luminous Nelly, purchased from the Kilkenny Sales, displayed impressive form. Quickly out of trap 4, Nelly regained her lead after a strong first bend, winning by a length in 17.01 and claiming her third consecutive victory.

Sarah Leahy’s Aventus, trained by Kevin Canning, excelled in Heat 2 of the same sprint competition. She dashed from trap 6, maintaining her lead to finish in 16.98, a length and a half ahead of her closest rival, Shanmoyle Amy. As well as her on-track accomplishments, Aventus's own breeding potential looms large as a daughter of Droopys Sydney x Droopys Alice, with a lineage of champions coming from the three repeated matings of this sire & dam.

In the Daniel Canning Memorial 500, Johnny Scott's Ferndale Power stole the spotlight in Heat 1. From trap 1, Power expertly navigated the course, overtaking the early leader and finishing five and a half lengths in front with a personal best time of 27.89, marking a well-earned win after a 13-race spell without a win.

Heat 2 saw Meenagh Manila clinch victory. Starting moderately but benefiting from inside positioning amid congestion, Manila surged ahead to win by four and a quarter lengths in 28.00. It marked her second career win, showcasing her potential & stamina when untroubled on the run.

In Heat 3, Reneas Boy claimed his third straight victory attempting the 500 yards for the first time. Quick off the mark from trap 2, he overcame a bump at the first turn to decisively take the lead, winning by seven and a half lengths in 28.21. As a young contender, his future looks exciting.

Race 7, Heat 3 of the Johnny McLaughlin Sprint, was tightly contested, with Tri Bella narrowly securing the win. Despite relinquishing ground to her rivals after running wide of the second bend, she managed to fend off competition to secure victory by a short head in 17.22.

The evening concluded with Leigh Thompson's Diegos Manna showcasing versatility in Race 8. Benefiting from a trap 1 draw, Manna dug deep to hold his advantage at the first turn and despite being under pressure from Ontimeforthree, he recorded the fastest run of the night with a three and three-quarter length victory in 16.89 for the 300-yard dash.

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