Kildare: Cathal best for Marcella at Newbridge Dogs

With racing not being able to take place on Friday of last week due to the severe frost it was
decided that the card would resume on Monday evening. A very knowledgeable attendance arrived
at the stadium due to the Eugene Wheatley Memorial opening round eight heats down for decision.

Best return of the evening came in the final contest as the Marcella Campbell owned Home Cathal
scooted around in a very nice 29.25. The Tote over the evening paid out consistently well with the
trio passing the two hundred barrier consistently throughout the night.

Racing opened with a sprint contest and once the lids lifted the Sean Hickey owned Ardscull
Bess trapped out alongside Corbally Bono. This pair had a good tussle to the opening corner but
once Ardscull Bess rounded it first the Ballymac Vic – Afterthisone white and brindle pushed away to
hit the winning line first. Coming home two lengths ahead of the staying on Zoes Pet this nice winner
send someone home very happy with the trio paying out just over €400. The winning time here was
a nice 18.20.

The consistent Costana made it two wins from three outings in the second contest. Trapping
out with Be Witcha Now he showed the early pace to strike the opening corner first with Lodgefield
Dini following. Dictating matters out front this lovely looking brindle and white son of Pestana –
Noted Notions hit the third corner with a length advantage over Dini. Maintaining this advantage all
the way home he hit the line first in an improved winning clock of 29.48. Lodgefield Dini in turn took
second place five and a half lengths ahead of third placed Coss Jane.

In the final contest of the evening both Home Cathal and Philipstown Lady were quickest
into their stride pattern. Approaching the opening corner Cathal who had come in from the reserve
panel to wear the white jacket scooted to the front. From here this home bred son of Ballymac
Bolger – Home Julie hit every other post first. Holding the persistent challenge that Pennys Hun
mounted throughout the trip he crossed the winning line a length and a half to the good. Owned by
Marcella Campbell he stopped the clock in the evening’s best of 29.25. In turn Philipstown Lady took
third place just another length adrift.

Eamon Wheatley Memorial A4/5 525 Opening Round
Heat 1: In the opening heat the Brendan Doyle owned Da Quite Patch had to come from
behind the faster starting recent winner Twilight Guide to win in a nice 29.39. Twilight Guide held
the lead until the third corner but rounding the final bends Da Quite Patch (Good News – Saoirse Mo
Croi) on the outer line pushed to the front.

Coming into the home straight with a length advantage
over the Guide with by now the noted fast finisher Clonfert Kate closing in Patch sensed the danger.
Kicking again Da Quite Patch increased his advantage to three lengths as he hit the line first. Twilight
Guide withstood Kates challenge to take second spot a half a length ahead.

Heat 2: Cool Destiny was first to show in this heat but on the run to the opening corner she
was joined by the chasing pack. Coming out of the opening corners and into the back straight the
Derek Traynor owned Lodgefield Olive had hit the front. From here this home bred Grangeview Ten
– Lodgefield Diva two year old powered away from her rivals to record her second win from seven
outings. Crossing the winning line with a handsome nine lengths in hand Olive stopped the clock in 29.47. The race for second place went to Cool Destiny who came home stronger that third placed Ballyea Jet.

Heat 3: Rossie Fifi who tipped the weighting scales three pounds heavier than her previous
outing set the early pace in this heat to lead the entire field all the way to the final turn. At this stage
the Frank Brennan owned Littletown Skye (Broadstrand Bono – Torchbearer) who had followed from
the outset began to draw level on the outer of the leader. Once the winning line came into view
Littletown Skye asserted himself to pull out a nice two and a half lengths winning margin as he
stopped the clock in a nice 29.60. Rossie Fifi ran her heart out to take second place a half a length
ahead of Coss Honey.

Heat 4: The quickest return of the opening round heats came in this contest as the Mark
Lane owned Albert Mullins trained Fantasy Penny came from behind the faster starting Atenas
Shield heading down the back straight. Approaching the third corner Penny had taking over the front
running mantle and staying on tightly along the rails the daughter of Redzer Ardfert – Fantasy Lane
pulled out a very nice three length winning margin in a very good 29.37. Coming home in second
place Airazor made up a lot of ground in the latter stages to finish a length and a half in front of
Regent Sky.

Heat 5: Mydras Wildcat was quickest into action in this heat to lead the reserve Holy
Guacamole to the opening corner. Coming out of the second corner and into the back straight the
reserve had taking over the front running mantle and from here this pair had a great tussle all the
way to the home straight. Coming into the home straight the Moira Costigan owned Mydras Wildcat
a home bred daughter of Ballymac Eske – Eager Lady was contending with the persistent challenge
from Holy Guacamole but sticking to the task at hand she withstood the pressure to run out a nice
length winner in a very nice 29.48.

One Man Band who had being picking his way around the opening corners finished with a flourish to take second place a half a length ahead of the reserve.

Heat 6: The only one that patrons had any interest in the betting ring in this contest was the
unbeaten Beaming Outlaw. Once the lids lifted the red sheeted Spot The Bob owned within a stone’s
throw of the stadium by Francis Curran flashed out ahead of his rivals. Making every post a winning
one from the outset this son of Laughill Blake – Miss Profit went on to win handsomely by three and
a half lengths in a somewhat surprising 29.65. The favourite having his first look at the circuit took
second place two lengths ahead of Home Maeve. Some lucky trio players got a handsome €233 from
this result.

Heat 7: Brendan Doyle sent out his second winner of this sweepstake in this heat as his own
Saoirses Sydney hit the front approaching the opening corner to round it just ahead of
Windixiechaperal. This pair then had a good battle along with Boderan News for the rest of the
contest. Coming off the final corner Saoirses Sydney was being flanked by both Windixiechaperal on
the inner and on the outer Boderan News but sticking to the task in hand this Droopys Sydney -
Saoirse Mo Croi youngster pulled out a nice length and a half victory when breaking the ray in 29.68.
Windixiechaperal took second spot a length ahead of Boderan News.

Heat 8: The final heat went to the Tony O’Brien owned Regent Star who had to come from
behind in the latter stages of the contest to go by the pace setters Kilara Shimmer and Max Pay.
Coming home the strongest on the run home Regent Star pulled out an eye catching length victoryas she stopped the clock in 29.87. Funny That came home strong to take second place a short head in front of Max Pay. The final three heats of this sweepstake were won in somewhat slower times
but to the naked eye the winners appeared to be doing better. Next Friday nights second round
heats are waited with abated breath.

Aidan Walsh Firmount Clane R.I.P.
All patrons at Newbridge Greyhound wish to extend our sincere condolences to Caren
Walshe and family on the recent passing of Aidan. Everyone at the stadium were forever indebted to
the continued sponsorship that Aidan had given the Texacloth Puppy Derby at this stadium for over
forty years. We were particularly delighted to witness Aidan being involved with last year’s
Boylesports Irish Derby winner The Other Kobe, a night that he treasured.

May the sod rest lightly on your soul Aidan.