DONAL and Tadhg Murphy are no strangers to the headlines at Portmarnock Raceway. However, on Sunday, April 11th, the accomplished duo had the pleasure of harnessing a first-time-out winner for two new owners, John Madigan and thoroughbred trainer and agent Thomond O’Mara, both based in Tipperary.

The connections landed the Grade B and C trot with the eight-year-old mare Comete Des Landes. The winner’s prize was a fairly standard €1,150. The fact that the race was the fastest mile and a half (3.10.1) in eight such contests so far, would suggest that some of the bigger pots of the high season are within her grasp.

Donal drove the mare, while second-season driver and nephew Eoin Murphy came in for the catch drive on Bibi Dairpet. Murphy got a free run down the outside after Biniou Du Beuvron (John Richardson) had made it a true run race.

Donal told The Irish Field: “She did that well – she’s even better than she has shown us at home,”

Another debutant for a big time stable, Colombia d’Odyse picked up a nice line of form in second with Meadowbranch number two driver Noel Ryan in the bike. The race looked a hot contest, and it would be no surprise if all five runners were to win in coming weeks.

Three from four

Flatteur and Darren Timlin continue to carry all before them. The pair’s win in the Grade D trot made it three from four lately. The six-year-old gelding gave his supporters a few anxious moments as he made a break at Peters’ Paddock first time around.

Darren Timlin does not panic, however and once he got Flatteur back down and trotting he whooshed up on the outside to lead in a matter of strides. The Omeath runner Eddy Marceaux (Martin Loughran) briefly flattered but Timlin always had him covered.

The stewards reviewed the footage, as they should, but the rule book allows ‘15 strides’ on the gallop and luckily Timlin got his charge levelled within the limit.

Urbano Des Selles is a great favourite with Billy Roche’s nieces. Billy’s brothers and cousins made him favourite in a different sense in the Grade F trot, and The Red Baron duly obliged. The gallant front runner Silvano Bello (Eoin Murphy) gave his all as usual but Urbano stays all day long.

The only pace on the card threw up a shock result. Elski and Alan Richardson attempted to make all. The driver managed to get ‘cheap fractions’ (i.e., a slow pace) but the mare petered out in the straight.

The chasing pack gobbled her up with up-and-coming driver Oisin Quill on King Wills Arrival beating his elder brother Finbar on Awesome Dude in 2.04.4.

Commentator James Griffin suggested that Oisin would buy the chips on the way home. Shrewd Kerrymen know that a packed lunch works out cheaper!

Flashy

John Richardson drove his second winner of the season with Dusty Jiel who has a flashy way of going. Sean Kane gave Joe Sheridan’s Boyardo an enterprising drive, but JR always looked to be travelling well and loomed ominously on Kane’s shoulder at the club house (closed). The winner is owned by Flanagan, Burke and Redmond and scored by a length.

“He doesn’t have an economical action, but he is actually nice to drive,” stated Richardson of the eight-year-old gelding.

In French Trotting terms four-year-olds are still babies. Therefore, it was no wonder that a mid-April four-year-old trot only attracted four runners. The Kane cousins Sean and Patrick were on Hot To Trot and Harry Knows respectively.

A case could be made for both runners: Hot To Trot was in a tough training regime in France this spring. Harry Knows looked one of the best three-year-olds last year but hadn’t quite worked out which leg to throw first.

In the event, Harry Knows would appear to have learned more over the winter. Patrick was content to track Sean but passed the other runner easily enough in the final quarter.

To give Hot To Trot credit she came back at the winner, but the record will show Harry Knows the winner by a quarter length.

The number of runners is gradually creeping up. Action resumes tomorrow at Annaghmore. The meeting was scheduled for today but has been moved out of sensitivity to the royal funeral.

Only owners, trainers and one groom per horse can be admitted.

Readers can watch replays of each race with a few minutes delay on the Irish Harness Racing Association facebook page. Full results can be seen on www.irishharnessracing.com