Massive crowd heads to mullingar greyhound stadium for sunday afternoon racing

A massive crowd packed into Mullingar Stadium on Sunday afternoon for the final of the Gain Irish Cesarewitch.

The sun even obliged and all the hard work by the team in the stadium in promoting the “family occasion” was well and truly justified.

Racegoers saw the favourite Paradise Maverik capture the €9,000 prize and so completed an unbeaten path through the classic when running out a convincing winner in a time of 33.51.

Tipperary based trainer Pat Buckley had flown in from Glasgow for the final and he was thrilled with the performance of the son of Royal Impact/ Paradise Alanna. “He is a smashing dog and he deserved a win like this. He is running really well this year and I have a feeling that Wimbledon could suit him. He’ll be seeded inside in the English Derby and he could prove too strong on the run-in for a lot of dogs and could go a long way”.

Buckley was giving an interview while the official presentation was made. His brother Jimmy Buckley, the famed musician, took Pat’s place in the presentation picture but owners Javier Jarne (who had flown in from Spain for the final) and Paddy McElligott were there for the big occasion.

On the supporting card there was a smashing double for Tom and Marcella Clyne. Highview Thady (Hades Rocket/ Highview Highway) ran away with an A1 600 when coming home eight lengths clear of Power Jack while Clydal Fred (Boherna On Air/ Savings Book) had half a length in hand of Mickey Blue Eyes in an A2 525 in 29.87.