FOLLOWING the shock cancellation of the hugely-popular East Antrim two-day Easter fixture at Loughanmore last weekend, all will be hoping that everything runs smoothly at today’s Newry hunt meeting at Taylorstown.

This fixture is always of particular significance to locally-based ‘away’ bookmaker Franco Hughes who sponsors the six-year-old and upwards geldings’ maiden, in which there are 15 entries. The largest entry, 39, is in the opening Dennison Commercials four-year-old maiden.

Ten years ago, there was a large entry for this meeting which resulted in 11 races. The first three maidens – for four-year-olds, five-year-old geldings and five and six-year-old mares – were split in two and then there was a respite for the open.

Showing how much times have changed, the six-year-old and upwards maiden was split three ways and, while it wasn’t necessary to divide the concluding winners of one, 18 runners went to post. That race was won by Mister Two Fifty who brought up a four-timer for Derek O’Connor. James Jenkins recorded a double across the first two races.

SCHEDULED

Opportunities are running out for point-to-point trainers and owners to run their horses without travelling too far with just four scheduled fixtures remaining before the end of the season. The Mid Antrims are due to run next Saturday at Broughshane, near, Ballymena.

For those who prefer to go racing at a racecourse, there’s light at end of the tunnel and not too far distant.

Down Royal’s annual May Bank Holiday fixture, the Daily Mirror May Day meeting, is on Monday week next, May 6th and they race again on the evening of Friday, May 31st. Downpatrick has two evening meetings coming up in quick succession on Friday, May 10th and Friday, May 24th. There should be something to suit everyone with that choice!