Cragbrien Shaw wins Aran Islands heat

ENNIS owners Martin Cronin and Robbie Markham won a semi-final heat of the Aran Islands GAA Confined A5 525 at the Galway Greyhound Racing Stadium last Friday night with Cragbrien Shaw.

The daughter of Black Shaw-Rachel’s Picture led from the opening bend and at the line was an easy seven-and-a-half-length winner in 29.20. Third spot went to Spot the Move owned by Michael and Cathal Meaney, Tullabrack, Cooraclare.

Consequential, owned by Megan Flanagan, Russa, Ennistymon, finished third in a semi-final heat of the Aran Islands GAA A3 525 stake.

Rathmeehan Brett, a newcomer owned by John Browne, Ballyea, led until the third bend in an A6-graded 525 but the new leader from here was Heathlawn Blaze, who went on to beat Rathmeehan Brett by three lengths in 29.48.

The Ballyea trainer fared better in the next race, an N2-graded 525 with Rathmeehan Lee (Eden Brett- Rathmeehan Angel) in trap six. He quickly went into a three-length lead and was helped by crowding behind him at the first bend. He was clear of more crowding at the third and raced on for a one-length lead from the unlucky Burnpark Lee (Maria Browne) in 29.75. Third spot was filled by Bling Bling Mars, trained by Maurice
Mullaney for Áine Quigney, Newmarket-on-Fergus.

Mountshannon owner Kim Knell made another visit to the winners’ arena, this time with Avonside Rioja, winner of an A5-graded 525. The daughter of Droopy’s Scolari-Piggy Pudding started to make her move as they came to halfway and was in front by the second-last bend. She had two lengths of a lead but came under pressure for a finish from Erris Lady but held out to win by a length and a half in 29.83. Third home was Dromoher Snoopy (Megan Flanagan, Ennistymon).

Kay’s Class, trained by Donie Duggan for Kay Lynch, Quin, was best away in the opening semi-final heat of the Shrule/Glencorrib A4 575 stake but in the run home, the lead was taken over by the John Corbett-trained Mountjoy Dream, who beat Kay’s Class by two and a quarter lengths in 32.17.

The Noel Mullins-owned and trained Full Blunt was third in another semi-final heat.