Lady wins but Ace is denied

Ballycasey Lady (pictured) took the team honours last night at Hall Green when she took the Bitches race in 28.78 by 2 1/4 lengths. Our army of away supporters sent Lady off a warm 7/4 favourite after running so well the week before at the same venue.


Sadly there was no fairytale in the Midland Flat Championship are Ballymac Ace could only finish second to Farloe Luigi in 28.64. Bandicoot Fionn tried his best but couldn't get on terms with the front two. Head Iton Tom was unplaced in the Stayers race.


Up at Sheffield Express Gear was a solid third and Head Iton Eion was unplaced. 

Pony and Classic move into Finals

Gagsys Classic sealed a place in next weeks Maiden Sprint Final after taking Heat 3 last night at Nottingham in 18.25. Sadly Bawna Antarctic just missed out on a place in the Final after finishing third in Heat 1. The Maiden 480 Final was marred with traffic problems. Jungleland ran very well to finish second whilst Scarty Paddys chances ended on the first two bends. Jennas Pony was back on her favoured track of Romford as her took heat 1 of the Coral on TV Bitches Trophy in 23.99. Shinners Princess won't be joining Pony in the Final as she was eliminated after suffering crowding throughout the race.

Christmas Owners Morning Announced

I can confirm our Annual Christmas Owners Morning will take place on Sunday 18th December 10.00am-12.30pm. All the big names dogs will be out for walk including Ballymac Ace ! You might be even get your chance to have your photo taken with him ! All owners will be welcome to come and share a seasonal drink and a snack to eat with all team. Our team photographer will be on hand to snap you with your dogs and I do need a few of you to answer a few questions for our owners page.  No need to confirm attendance but I'm sure we can beat last years record attendance.I'm trying to secure another nice pup to raffle off during the morning.(More details to follow)

Borna Jessica in Pup

It was great to hear Borna Jessica is enjoying her retirement in the breeding paddocks. She has been confimed in pup to Ballymac Ruso. As always I be trying to ensure the pups head here to be trained, super breeding !

Website Updates

I've started updating a number of pages on the main website. I think we probably post more updates than any other trainer however things are always changing and I'd noticed a couple of pages needed amending on the normal static pages. A couple of the staff have moved on to pastures new and we wish them all the best. I've updated the owners pages and I've got plenty of new recruits to add once we have the photos completed.

Massive week ahead AGAIN !

With Brittons Empire's win in the Super Paws we have taken over at the top of the Trainers Championship. Whilst the small lead is handy over Mark Wallis, Charlie Lister is now looking a serious treat given he looks to have two big competitions at his mercy.

Tonight Scarty Paddy and Jungleland are up against each other in a Maiden Final at Nottingham. In the supporting open Dixies Craft makes her debut, Cooladery Rise in a Maiden 500 whilst Gagsys Classic and Bawna Antarctic goes in the Sprint competition.We will also be in Romford where Jennas Pony and Shiners Princess run in 400 metre competition.

I'm sure the team will be supported well at Hall Green tomorrow where Ballymac Ace will be taken by Bandicoot Fionn in the Midland Flat Champions Final. Head Iton Tom runs in the Maiden Stayers and Ballycasey Lady is in the Bitches race. Two runners head to Sheffield these are Head Iton Eion, Head It and Express Gear.

It's Sky night on Wednesday as Nottingham host the Betfred Eclipse. Freds Champ was very unlucky not to qualify for the final. Maireads Hawk will be hoping for a clear run in the Puppy contest, Daughter of Peg looks to have a difficult draw in the Bitches race, Drumcove Lad clashes with multiple Sky winner Lil Risky, whilst Freds Champ will be looking for compensation in the 500 metre standard, finally Skyline Amber take her chance in the distance race. Cheer the team on ! We need you !

Scott's Pots and Pans is A1 at Monmore

Paul Scott's April 2010 pup, Pots and Pans, brought up her hatrick at Monmore this afternoon. Racing from trap 4 against a much more experienced field she over came a hold up on the first bend to show some fantastic pace and real courage to get up and win by 1 1/2 lengths in 28.74. No doubt she will be one of the star attractions at our Christmas owners morning which I'm currently finalising.

Another bitch heading in the right direction is Lady Ballyglass who took the afternoon A5 in 28.71. I think connections can expect another rise in grades.

Eric and Gforce on podium at Monmore

Whilst Brittons Empire was away taking the Super Paws title at Poole, Monmore staged a competitive night of racing. Townspark Eric (pictured) won his second race for us when he took the A3 in an impressive 28.47. I'm hoping this win will increase the dogs confidence and we can get in back up to top grade. Other second winner of the evening was Gforce Direct who took advantage of a drop down to A3 to win by a convincing 2 1/2 lengths in 28.30. Sadly Tullna Rose was eliminated in the Oaks Quarter Finals at Wimbledon. She ran well after leading early but sadly couldn't hold on to a qualifying spot.

Brittons Empire takes Super Paws Title

Brittons Empire took the £3,000 Category Two Jem Racing Super Paws Final at Poole last night. After fluffing his lines in the Semi Final he made no mistake in the Final and to be honest wasn't troubled as he strode to a 1 1/4 length win in 26.44. 


Empire has now won 21 of his 50 races and has had an awesome career. In addition to last nights title he had previously won the 2011 Pall Mall. What a year !!!! Congratulations to his connections. Its worth noting that a 50% share in this dog was advertised on his blog a couple of months ago.

Monmore on the charge in Midlands BAGS Championship

Monmore have moved up to third place in the Midland BAGS Championship after todays meeting. With two meetings to go there is everything to play for. We managed to contribute two winners at todays meeting at Swindon. Borna George made it three wins on the bounce when he took the Puppy race in 29.17  and then Gagsys Classic took the Sprint in 16.33.

Sickness forces kennel closure on Sunday

Kennels will be closed this Sunday as Gerry Balentine, Martin Burt and ourselves all have a degree of kennel sickness and we need to ensure it does not spread. Sorry for any inconvenience caused.

You Tube Channel Launched

I'm pleased to announce that we launched our latest tool for owners and kennel followers. We now have our own You-Tube Channel that will in time have all our big race winners on. Our first two big winners are already on. I'm happy to add any owners videos on if you get the DVD's to me.

Grading team in great heart

After a slow start to her career with us Corrig Blue (pictured) has now settled in win and she took her third win last night from her last 4 starts. Stepping up in trip for the first time her four length win as an indication how the step us in distance should suit. She led all the way to win in the S3 contest in 38.99 by four lengths.

Are We Dancers added another A1 on to his CV has he dug deep on the run for home after leading most of the way. He took the race by 1/2 length in 28.57.  

Curra King got his just deserves for some consistent runs when he took a competitive looking A3 by 1/2 length in 29.04. 

Thursday Night Racing rom Monmore as RP TV is launched

Great news for the sport this week as it was announced that Racing Post Greyhound TV has a provisional launch date of  Friday, December 9 .

Live evening racing will be shown from Hove and Monmore on Thursdays, Romford and Sunderland on Fridays and Crayford and Newcastle every Saturday from 7.15pm to 10.45pm. Stakeholders in the venture, which is hosted by the Racing Post in co-operation with bet365, Betfair, Coral, Hills and Ladbrokes, on Wednesday emphasised the potential positives for greyhound racing as a whole.

Gordon Bissett, head of Ladbrokes’ greyhound stadia Crayford (to be broadcast on Saturdays) and Monmore (Thursdays after winter commitment to Bags has finished), thinks Racing Post TV can revitalise greyhound ownership.

“The opportunity for individuals to watch their greyhounds on a television channel is a tremendous incentive for them to get involved,” said Bissett. “Owners are the lifeblood of greyhound racing, without them we have nothing really, and I think the channel can repopularise the sport.

“What stops people going racing is their own lack of enthusiasm and there is no evidence that showing the races live will reduce the propensity to attend. As a sport, we have to sell ourselves far better and this is a fantastic opportunity to do so – I’m hoping we can rekindle many local links and get people and businesses to support their local greyhound tracks by showing just what we have to offer.”

Ace flies in Midland Flat Championship as team record treble

Ballymac Ace booked himself into yet another big race Final with a smooth 28.44 win in the A 2 B Cars Midlands Flat Championships at Hall Green. He showed some fantastic all round pace in the 2 1/2 length win and has drawn trap 1 again in next weeks Final. He will be joined in the Final by Bandicoot Fionn who ran on very well to snatch second place in Heat 1. 


In the supporting opens Express Gear took the Maiden Open in 28.72 by a hard tough head, Ballycasey Lady was denied in the shadow of the line in the Bitches race in 28.91 and finally kennel sweet heart Yorkshire Lady took the 645 metre stayers race with a stunning performance in 39.93. 

Empire suffers surprised defeat

Brittons Empire could only finish third in last night Jem Racing Super Paws Semi Final at Poole. Empire's task looked difficult after failing to lead but he battled on regardless to snatch the third qualifying spot for Saturdays Final. 

Draw (and betting from Jem Racing) 1 Sundance Jet 14 2 Brittons Empire 5/4 3 Killacolla Eagle 9/4 4 Coolykereen Hi (m) 5/1 5 River Dubh (m) 9/2  6  Skelligs Yahoo (w) 33

Mixed night at Notts

Monday proved a mixed night for team. Bolt Ya Rocket's chance ended at the second bend in the 480 Trophy race and could only finish 5th.  Both our entries in the 480 Maiden Trophy qualified for next weeks Final. Scarty Paddy finished 2nd in Heat 1 whilst Jungleland finished in the same position in Heat 3.


Skyline Amber led everywhere but the line as she was denied by 1/2 length in the Dual Distance Final, she finished second in 45.69. Finally Head Iton Tom was third in the closing open race of the evening. 

Young pups win at Monmore

Pots and Pans set the tongues wagging this afternoon at Monmore with a breathtaking performance. Stepped up by 2 grades to A2 Pans was away and gone again and recorded a very tasty 28.52. We may have to look at a Puppy open for this improving bitch.


I was chuffed to bits that Moscaville won her first race for us today. Bred out of former kennel star Cabra Fly this lad young pup ran on well in todays A8 to win in 29.38. Head Iton Woodie got his just rewards when he took the S2 with a hard fought win in 38.55. 

Open news update

We still lie in second place in the Trainers Championship, four points behind the Wallis team. Charlie Lister does to appear to have us both in his sight after lasts weeks Yorkshire St Leger victory. We will endeavour to keep up the best we can but the dogs have had a very busy year.


Tullna Rose qualified for the second round of the English Oaks on Saturday but qualifying for the next round looks very difficult. We can only hope she pings out and makes them all go.


We start this week with a trip to Nottingham tonight with Bolt Ya Rocket, Scarty Paddy, Jungleland, Skyline Amber and Head Iton Tom. On Tuesday Yorkshire Lady, Ballycasey Girl, Express Gear and Ballymac Ace will represent us at Hall Green as the Midland Flat Championship starts. This used to be a great competition in years gone past. Finally Brittons Empire goes in the Gem Racing Super Paws Semi Final at Poole where it would be great to appear in another big Final.


Before racing tonight at Nottingham both Fifis Rocket (17.96 pictured) and Drumcove Lad (18.03) had pleasing trials in preparation for the National Sprint.

Champ scores in Eclipse

Freds Champs took Heat 6 of the Betfed Eclipse last night with a hard fought success. Champ lead from the traps and thankfully found another gear of the last bend to hold off the fast finishing Ballymac William to win in 30.19. Sadly Maireads Hawk was eliminated from the same heat.

Draw for Friday’s semis – first: 1 Boher Paddy, 2 Dalcash Scolari, 3 Tudor Prince, 4 Ballymac Xavi (m), 5 Bright Redcliffe (m), 6 Guinness Hawk (w).
 

Second: 1 Tyrur Brian, 2 Blue Artisan, 3 Mill Bling Bling, 4 Freds Champ (m), 5 Mark My Words (m), 6 Go Go Sonic (w).

Third: 1 Droopys Winston, 2 Slippery Dave, 3 Jazz Apollo, 4 Bowtime Joey, 5 Deanridge Rage, 6 Ballymac William.

Who's the Daddy

A step up of two grades didn't stop recent new recruit Ask the Daddy from winning on Thursday night. Ask the Daddy made it 2 wind from 3 starts when he showed some great early pace in the A5 contest to take the race in 29.21. The fast improving Borna George (pictured) took another step up the grades when he took the closing race of the evening which was an A4 in 28.73. 

Skyline Mohican  proved to be our only winner on Friday whe she landed the A6 with an all the way victory in 29.52.

Empire Strikes Back

Brittons Empire showed why he was installed as the ante-post favourite for the Jem Racing Super Paws at Poole.  Empire flashed out of traps in Heat 4 to all led all the way to win by a convincing 2 1/4 lengths in 26.56. Sadly Jennas Pony was eliminated after being crowded on the first bend. Empire has drawn trap 1 in the Semi Final.

Skyline wins but Hawk denied

Nottingham held another of its completive Dual Distance competitions last night. Skyline Amber took Heat 2 to progress to next weeks Final as she won by a convincing 4 1/4 lengths in 42.70. Ambers win was the fastest of the two races, sadly Yorkshire Lady could only finish 4th. 


Maieads Hawk finished third in the Puppy Final. Hawk went round behind Bucks Blade and lead down the back straight. Blade then seemed to fins another gear and took off leaving Hawk second then we just got fetched out on the run in by the strong finnishing 5!

Monday Double

Pots and Pans recorded her first career win yesterday when she took the afternoons A4 by a convincing 3 3/4 lengths in 28.62. She showed some great early pace yesterday and also saw the 480 metre trip out well. I think this bitch will be appearing regularly on this blog in future months. Cleveland Joe continued his move up the grades as he took the A6 in 29.53. These two are just two of the great number of young pups we have in kennels at the moment with a great deal of promise.

Fantastic Shots

Here are another four shots taken this morning. I'm sure you agree they are great shots. The dogs are Dixies Craft, Yorkshire Lady, Solid Impact and Solid Merlot. Please remember if you want to order any photos please email ndugganisrm@hotmail.com. I have agreed £5.00 for an 8x6 photo + £1.00 postage.

Deal Done for Cunning

Cunning Deal was sold to a newly formed syndicate this morning. Many thanks to Mick Giles, Phil Steed, Peter Symonds and Will Adamson who have stepped in to purchase the April 2010 pup who so impressed at Clonmel. All the best of luck chaps........

Morning Photos of Owners

Our photographer was on hand this morning to shoot a number of the new arrivals. Aswell as working through many of the new recuits he captured a few of us going about our Sunday morning duties. Can you see yourself ?

Shock for kennel after loss of Shuttle

The 1 in all in Syndicate and all the team suffered a major shock this week after we lost the Blue Riband winner Express Shuttle. Shuttle shattered his front leg whilst having his second come back trial. Shuttle was a fantastic dog who won 5 of his 11 career races and this included the Betfair Blue Riband back in April at Hall Green. Shuttle almost took the Midland Puppy Derby Crown back in March when he was caught yards from the line. He was a real pleasure to train and he will be sadly missed by all.


We have a number of injuries of late to our high profile dogs. Sadly FiFis We Rocket, Buzz Doc and Gortown Rosie have all been retired within the last two weeks. 

Puppy George scores again

Borna George recorded his second win from just his 4th start when he took last night A5 in 28.95. George's win was very gutsy effort as he had to come from behind and needed to overcome traffic problems thoughout the race. 

Sales update

I'm really pleased to welcome new owner John Nokes in to the kennel. John's new purchase will arrive next week. I'd like to wish him all the very best of luck.


The final share in Solid Merlot was today snapped up by another new owner partnership of Glenn & Moirai Mathieson. I'm sure Merlot will give some great night in the very near future.


A warm welcome to all three new owners.

Puppy Derby Prospect for Sale

Our main man in Ireland is constantly on the look out for top class pups for our Midland Puppy Derby team. This weekend a deal was secured to bring another top class pup to Westview Kennels.

Cunning Deal is an April 2010 whelp who possesses some serious proven top open class breeding.

Out of Big Daddy Cool, who has provided us with such kennel favourites as Cabra Fly and Rackethall Hero as well as Cabra Cool, Scottish Derby winner. Cunning Deal’s dam line is also top class, Movealong Rose has already produced such brilliant greyhounds as Carlows Pride (nominated for Irish sprint dog of the year - winner of 31 top class Open races and over £27,000 in prizemoney), Snowdon Flyer (Top open racer - rated 132 G.data - 124 G.data - Current Fav for the 2011 Ceasrewitch at Oxford - 29.69 Hove 515 Metres), Millbank Master (28.45 at Limerick, £20,0000 refused)

Having qualified to race in a very fast 29.54 at Clonmel  some tempting big offers were refused for this very exciting puppy. Last Thursday night he left every one in no doubt that he is a precocious sort. Drawn trap 4, he was racing much more experienced opponents including 28.90 race winners and dogs who had ran in the Irish derby. However such is the class of this puppy that he rocketed from the boxes to record a brilliant 2.86 sectional to the winning line. Down the back stretch - he quickly went in to top gear and piled on the pace  and to his credit the trap 5 dog (28.90) Cml (May 2008 whelp tried to keep in touch with this brilliant pup. However, this pup simply had to much class & pace as he flew home to win in massive time of 28.94, which was easily the fastest time of the night.

Cunning Deal ticks all the right boxes for a top quality greyhound, great breeding, early pace and stay 480 metres strongly.

Express Shuttle ran at Clonmel  before he joined us and he recorded 28.77 there, he was sold for well over 5 figures which has turned out to be money well spent.

However Cunning Deal will cost us no where near five figures such is our main mans skills at getting us quality dogs at quality prices.

Cunning Deal has passed the Veterinary examination with one of Ireland's top vets Pat Dunne. He will be arriving at Westview next week.

His first major competition obviously will be the 2012 Midland Puppy Derby - £12,000 to the winner and also all the other Major category one events in the NGRC racing calendar.

Interested parties should contact me ASAP to discuss this class act further.

Super Paws Team

I'll be entering Brittons Empire and Jennas Pony in the Super Paws competition at Poole starting next week. We have had some great nights Poole and we will be doing our best for a repeat performance. In a recent trial Empire recorded 26.50 whilst Pony did 27.00.

Busy start to the week

It will be a bust start to the week for the kennel as we try and hold our position in the Trainers Championship. Tonight Maireads Hawk goes in a small Puppy competition at Nottingham. A nice clear run would do the dog a world of good. 


Tomorrow new recruits Head Iton Eoin and Tom are entered at Sheffield hoping to make a good start to their careers with us. Both are for sale ! Please call if interested.


Also there is a live card on Sky TV from Belle Vue which looks very trappy. We have Daughter of Peg in the 8.35pm, Bolt Ya Rocket in the 9.10pm and finally Freds Champs in the 9.25pm. Good luck to all connections.

Pal is Monday winner

Drive On Pal was our only winner this afternoon at Monmore on an afternoon of miserable wet afternoon. Pal made it back to back wins both by four lengths as this time he took the afternoons A4 in 28.80 which will no doubt result in another rise in grade.

More Head Iton Success ?

Planning ahead, I've purchased two nice proven open race dogs last night when I struck a deal with Steve Race to bring Head Iton Tom and Head Iton Eoin to West View Kennels.

These pair are proven open race dogs and can run over 4 & 6 bends. With Coventry hopefully opening again soon these are the type on strong running that would pick up a fair few opens on a Sunday night around there. 

If anyone wants a bit of fun for little money on these dogs give me a call ASAP, both are running at Sheffield in opens this Tuesday !

£2250 each

Adams wins on the bounce

Galtee Adams made it back to back wins at Monmore last night at Monmore which was very quiet for us. Adams made the most of a favourable draw to take the A4 in 29.23 by a hard fought neck. She now has 7 career wins from 28 starts well above the normal grading strike rate.

Fizzypop takes Owners Final

The Fizzypop corks were popping yesterday as Fizzypop Elite continued what is a remarkable start to his career when taking the A6 £500 Kennel Sweepstake Owners Bonus Series Final at Monmore in 29.09. Elite has now won his first three career starts. Skyline Mohican started the afternoon well for us when she took the A6 in 29.43. The ever expanding Skyline team landed another winner when Skyline Bella won a hard fought A4 in 29.46. Finally Lady Ballyglass recorded her first win when she stuck to her task well to take the closing A6 in 29.30. 

Catch up time

As of Sunday 30th October Mark Wallis lead us by three points in the Trainers Championship with Lister another nice points back in third but closing fast. What ever the final result it was been an amazing year for the kennels. I hope you the owners and supporters have enjoyed it as much as the team and I.


Thursday proved to be disappointed as we didn't make the Final at either Oxford or Belle Vue. The highlight of the night came back at Monmore when Walkaway Tyson took the race of the night, a very trappy A1, in 28.78. Tyson has been a real success story starting in A6 and moving through all the grades. He has now won 10 of his 34 starts which is a fantastic strike rate for a dog that has been mainly been contesting graded races.