Portrush double on O’Neills Gala Night

Alex from Argentina meets Lily who won the first race at Brandwell on Monday

Brandywell report from Monday's action

Andrew O’Neill from O’Neills Dog Food has been a welcome sponsor at the Brandywell Greyhound Stadium since it reopened in 2018.

As well as offering the weekly bag of sponsored dog food, Monday saw the third annual O’Neills Gala Night that he has sponsored at the venue. All seven races had boosted prize-money.

Charlie Ferguson’s home-bred Markstreet Lily (Skywalker Barry x Mark Street Mini, Aug 23) was the first to earn her place on the podium when she ran away with the O’Neills Pet Food Sprint.

Flashing out of six, Lily won unchallenged by almost ten lengths in 17.04sec. This was only her second career start and she also earned the Brandywell Greyhound Supporters £50 bonus for her efforts.

Ex-Kilkenny purchase Luminous Nelly (Serene Ace x Likely Gift, Sep 23) got her racing career of to a great start when winning The O’Neills Greyhound Pro Sprint, race two on the card, in 17.18sec for Thomas Mullan.

Nelly was fast away from the inside box but the battle to the first turn was won by Portrush Molly (T6). However, Nelly ran strong bends to emerge into the home-straight in front and kept on well to hold off the late challenge of Greedy Belly by almost two lengths in 17.18sec.

The O’Neills Premium Original Mix Sprint went to the fast-starting Skywalker Tina (Skywalker Barry x Skywalker Cilla, Feb 23) for Dominic McGarrigle. She showed good early pace to lead from trap-rise and won unchallenged by almost three lengths in 17.01sec.

This was her second win on what was her 11th start.

Galliagh Voice (Ballymac Bolger x Greenfield Lark, Dec 23) made it back to back wins over C&D when landing the Top Quality O’Neills Dog Food 500

Ciaran McLaughlin’s home-bred Voice (T6) led up to the first bend, but Karen Who nipped up his inside and left Voice short of room. Karen headed into the back-straight with a commanding lead. However, Voice kept up a strong gallop throughout and dug deep to get past Karen midway up the home-straight to win by almost three lengths in 28.45sec.

The winner has an impressive strike-rate of four wins from only ten starts.

The fastest four-bend run of the night came in race 5 - The O’Neills Mother & Puppy Complete 500.

Mark Ferry’s Danas Star (Ballyhimikin Jet x Courty Girl, Dec 23) is going from strength to strength and led his rivals a merry dance after a slick exit from trap three. At the third bend Star’s stamina kicked in and he drew further clear to win by five lengths in a fast 27.85sec. He now has three wins from only four starts.

Adrian McGarry finished the night’s entertainment with a terrific ‘Portrush’ double. Race six, the O’Neills Muesli Complete Dog Food 500, saw Portrush Tootsie (Ballymac Anton x Trinity Pearl, Nov 23) show a determined racing attitude to land the spoils after a tardy exit from trap five.

She was only in fourth place at the first turn but nipped up the inside of her rivals to enter the back-straight in third place. She found a gap on the inside at the third bend where she moved into second place.

Tracking the bends well, she took up the lead midway on the home-straight and ran on to win by just over a length in 28.15sec. It was a really encouraging run from this young pup who now has two wins from nine starts.

Completing his double in the following O’Neills Greyhound Pro Sprint was Adrian McGarry’s Portrush Ben (Ballymac Cashout x Dingys Diva, Nov 23) who produced a really top-class display of sprinting.

Improving with each race and, after a quickfire treble at Lifford, made the switch to Brandywell successfully.

Fast away from the blue-box, Ben battled for the early lead with Ardagh Sorrento (T6) but Ben’s early pace brought him to the first turn in front. He tracked the bends very well and lost no ground entering the home-straight.

He ran on well to win by four lengths in a flying 16.63sec from Generous Cashout who ran on for second place. Ben now has five wins from only six starts. He turns two years old in November and certainly looks a force to be reckoned with.

It was a great night’s racing which was made possible by O’Neills Dog Food sponsorship. 

Thanks must go to Andrew O’Neill for his continued support at Brandywell.