WONDERFUL ACTION AT NEWBRIDGE AS FUN TAKES FEATURE

Ian Fortune

Newbridge said goodbye to 2025 in some style on Monday with a number of superb displays in the various finals on the card.

The most valuable was that of the This Runs Deep A1/A2 525 and Fun Inthe Run emerged a good winner for Michael and Daire Malone, showing his strength to come through in the closing yards. The son of Malachi headed Ridgemount Sky in the closing yards to win by a length and a half in 29.09.

BUTLER TOO HOT TO HANDLE

Coff Butler was one of the most straightforward winners on the card when dominating at odds-on in the final of the Adopt a Greyhound A3.

Owned by Anthony and Elaine O’Grady, the son of Explosive Boy was simply too good for his rivals as he emerged an easy five length winner over Kilara Doechii in 28.93. 

ZOOM LIVES UP TO HIS NAME

Owen and Shaun Conway were on the mark in the final of the Merry Christmas A4 525 as Kelseys Zoom lived up to his name.

In charge from the opening strides, the son of Doolin Duke raced to an easy five length success over Revelation in 29.06.

MCKENNA ON FIRE WITH CASH AND MOMENT

The in-form Vincent McKenna recorded an impressive double, winning in the final of the Christmas Cracker ON2/ON3 525 with the promising Aulton Cash and the final of the Thank You to Our Sponsors 325 with Opera Moment.

Aulton Cash was 4-6 to land the unraced decider and he would eventually emerge the easiest winner on the entire card. Making every inch from three, the son of Ballymac Cashout and Confident Petal would increase his lead throughout to cross the line with thirteen lengths to spare over Swedish Fashion in 28.85. Patrick Hogan’s charge is now unbeaten after two career starts and will step up to A1 company in the near future. He seems more than capable and should handle the upgrade with minimum fuss.

NEVER A MOMENT’S WORRY

Opera Moment completed the McKenna double some fifteen minutes later, showing real alacrity at traps to dictate from the opening stride.

Owned by Conor McGrath, the daughter of Ballymac Cashout and Ballymac Sanjose was never under an ounce of pressure as she ran out a ready four length winner over her kennel companion Soggy Runner in 17.81.

BIG FINISH DOES TRICK FOR VALSHARAH

Maurice and Paula Heffernan sent out Valsharah to win the Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 525/550.

The home bred daughter of Valegro and Comeout Kiddo is very strong and she stormed home to lead in the dying strides to see off long-time leader Rathmoylephoenix by two lengths in 30.76.

FERN WINS FOR JERRY

The Irish Retired Greyhound Trust 525/550 went the way of Jerry Melia’s Miss Fern.

The daughter of Ballymac Bolger and Midas Fern was prominent from the start, taking control off the second turn to eventually see off No Comet by four lengths in 30.72.