PORTMARNOCK Raceway has attracted 16 pacers and 25 trotters today as the 2022 season starts to heat up.

At the time of going to press the races have not been framed, so much of this is supposition.

In the grade G pace, Ski From The Top would have been considered a good thing but Highbrooks Ignite ruffled some feathers last weekend at Annaghmore. The McDonoghs always have their horses as hard as iron and Ski From The Top will know he was in a race.

West End Illusion ran well here a fortnight ago, but Newtown Major would have stronger form. One Cool Touch always gives his all for John Boy Roche.

Any one of the four could win the high-grade pace but the vote goes to the admirably consistent North To Alaska and Noel Ryan.

Billy Roche is mob handed in the trotting races and the driving arrangements should be noted. Coreo Fligny runs well fresh while Harry Knows is going for 14 out of 14.

Cilando Des Temps has mixed it with the best in the past, while John Richardson told The Irish Field in the winter about his admiration for Epopee Du Layon, who sat out the Bernie Kelly.

Patrons will do well to pay attention to the three qualifiers scheduled for the card. A qualifier is a like a barrier trial, and is a non-betting event.

Nineteen Forty Seven (ran up a sequence in late 2021) Rhyds Scoundrel (top two-year-old now three) and Cash All (the highest grade pacer in the Meadowbranch armoury) are just some of the big players coming out of hibernation this weekend.

AS Laytown proves every year, beach racing is littered with torn up form books. Some jaded old gelding, long on the cold list can come alive at a beach.

The steadiest horse in the yard could spook at a few seagulls or even some seaweed.

Asking a Corkman to watch six races without having a bet is not realistic, so here follows some pointers for a day at the seaside on Sunday.

Immaculata would lap this lot if the race was at Portmarnock – although her one lifetime defeat came when she left a hard track. Richardson uses Bettystown beach a lot so the mare should feel at home.

I Am From Oakwood shaped well last time out while Iron Paddy at three looked like a winter on good grass would make a horse out of him.

Both the Quill and Murphy yards train on a beach and their runners must be respected. The tight nature of Cork racing will suit King Wills Arrival and Oisin Quill has five winners on the board already this year.

Ayr Majesty has beaten better horses than this in a fine career while American Rebel will have to give decent sorts a start. The capable Luke Kelleher in the bike is a plus.

The G and F trotters look well matched. The teak tough Valanzana will not be far away. Stable companion Hippie Sisu has galloped twice recently but came from another parish once she got down to go.

Brutenor and Beach De Bellouet are both tough sluggers while Comete Des Landes is the class horse on the card.

The latter will know every grain of sand on the beach.