LAOIS LIGHTNING LANDS ANN CHEEVERS MEMORIAL DECIDER

Peter Farrell

There was €1,200 on offer to the winner of the 2026 Ann Cheevers Memorial at Galway Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and the honours went the way of Laois Lightning, who secured a sixteenth career victory in the process.

Approaching veteran status as a September '22 whelp, Laois Lightning has rediscovered his very best form in this event and came into the final on the back of a 28.97 .20s semi-final success. Sent to traps as a 3/1 chance behind the well-supported Magical Be Nifty (1/1), the Donal Duggan-trained charge broke smartly from trap two, with only Portumna Syd in five breaking better. Early traffic impacted a number of runners, but it failed to hinder Laois Lightning, who powered to the head of affairs approaching the second bend. In doing so, the son of Ballymac Anton and Old Treasure, owned by Gordon Vaughan, quickly asserted and pulled clear of his rivals. Staying on strongly, he crossed the line four and a half lengths clear of Portumna Syd, who filled the runner-up spot, while Magical Be Nifty completed the podium in third. The winning time was a brisk 28.78 .20s.