Manch, Saturday

EOIN Murphy and Micheal O’Mahony both drove two winners at the Cornfield, Manch, on Saturday afternoon.

Murphy is the son of IB Stables’ trainer Tadhg at Baltimore and his two winners came from that yard. In the top-grade trot, Hestia Malex went for glory early and led for the best part of two laps.

Turning for home, he was still four lengths in front, but was running out of gas. Murphy produced Comete Des Landes in the final 100 yards to head the leader and won by a length and a half.

Murphy used different tactics in the top-grade pace, where he sent IB Paddington to the front from the start. He dropped anchor in front and quickened in the final quarter of a mile, to lead home Getmeoutofhere by two lengths.

Micheal O’Mahony from Schull secured a brace of winners. In the E to F trot, High Speed Efbe led early from Inspire Me. It remained the same down the back straight although Empereur Souverain, with O’Mahony in the seat were getting closer.

When the front runners both went off stride, this allowed Empereur Souverain to go clear and they duly obliged by 10 lengths from Hippie Sisu.

Niall Forbes, originally from Drimoleague but now based in Leap, owns and trains the winner.

Double up

O’Mahony completed his double in the very next race with Christy Brown for another Schull native Liam O’Brien. The winner set the right fractions up front and despite a late rally by Ayr Harbour, held on by a length and a half.

“This is his fourth win from six starts this year and I don’t think we have got to the bottom of him yet,” Conor Hurley from Reenascreena, the winning trainer, told The Irish Field.

Pan Cam Dynasty gave Macroom driver Luke Kelleher an armchair drive in the Grade G1 and G2 Pace. Kelleher set this son of Foreclosure alight from the gate to lead Benny The Legend. He was always in control and recorded the fastest time of the day in his length and a half win.

Speederosa broke his maiden tag in the opening Grade G Pace for the Limerick/Clare-based John Cross and Pat Crawford. Cross on the winner, allowed West End Delight and Pan Cam Corona to battle for the opening lap and at the bell he went to the front and eventually won by three lengths from West End Delight.

The Cornfield Oval at Manch is a unique venue with the back straight of the track, bordered by a glowing crop of barley. The field will be used for racing again today with a 2.30 start time.

Annaghmore race at 1pm tomorrow. Runners, results and information at www.irishharnessracing.com. Race replays can be seen on IHRA Facebook page.