Tregaron Sunday

BOBBY Barry’s Ayr Corleone provided some much needed respite for the Irish contingent at Tregaron, mid-Wales, last Sunday.

The son of Hasty Hall was driven by Patrick Kane jnr to pick up the Little Welsh Dragon Trophy and £3,500. (Pictured below in action).

“He’s very good,” Patrick told The Irish Field, “happily we’re not sure just how good yet, as there’s more to come.

Kane had up until then endured a tough weekend. Greentree Infinity slipped on the first bend. I’m Great Hanover put in a break when in contention. Blazing Hanover (Darren Timlin) was beaten by a whisker. Therefore the 4/1 offered (it is a strong betting ring) helped to re-line some Irish pockets. Patrick ended up with two winners over the festival, the other being History Queen for English owner Simon Clarke.

The feature event, the Welsh Classic, went to the Burton family whose ‘Blue’ bloodlines have long been respected in Britain. Up and coming Scottish driver Ryan Inglis was in the bike behind Blue La Vida Loca. James Haythornthwaite from Yorkshire was overall leading driver.

James and his wife Shannon (nee Flanagan from Oldtown) brought six-month-old son George to the meeting.

Annaghmore Sunday

SEAN Kane guided two ‘square goers’ to the winner’s circle at Annaghmore on Sunday while John Richardson scored with two pacers. A sizeable crowd saw a well-filled card even though a few followers were over in Wales. The sport has a bit of depth at the moment with some marquee meetings still to come.

Sean drove a first and sixth race double. The first winner, a four-year-old trot, Just Like Mam (1/4 fav) was made to work hard by Jezzabella Greggane (Billy Roche), the latter keeps improving.

Sean has a good rapport with Andy McTaggart’s Feugeres Erem and the combination overcame a 30-yard handicap to win the top grade trot. Andy has dubbed the pony-sized winner ‘The wee mare from Ballyclare’ and she has many admirers with her never-say-die attitude. Runner-up Duca de l’Eau (Bernard Nicholson) showed a return to form, a sure sign that there’s a big meeting coming up.

JR’s horses are also coming into form at the right time. Shesnoaprilfool (6/4 best) officially won the grade F pace by five lengths but she is better than that as she lost 30 yards at the start with a silly break. Ayr Balmoral (Gavin Murdock) was beaten fair and square into second place in 2.02.3

John’s double opened when Jack Manning’s Sweet Jeff took the grade G pace in a shade slower than 2.03. Expensive yearling Oakwood Carmelita (Gavin Murdock) was a never closer second. She certainly has a fluid gait.

Touched off

Gavin ended the day well in the C to E pace as Churchview Camelot just touched off Alexander Camden (Wattie Stewart) by the minimum distance in 2.00.8. Both horses raced their heart out and it was a shame there had to be a loser.

Cracker Mach from the Thomas McDonagh barn was just beaten a week ago at Vicarstown where he ran a bit green.

The 4/1 offered on Sunday seemed generous although he was in against Maid Sweet and Rugadh Me Reidh. ‘Made all, rest could not get to’ will be the form notes. Gabriel McDonagh held the lines.

The winner was advertised for sale recently and has only impressed since. 2.01.9 is a nice clock, given that Annaghmore is running a bit slow this year.

Christy ‘Hopper’ Foran stuck with his Ha’penny Chance even when she was going through growing pains. Hopper’s patience has now been rewarded as she has morphed into a fast and steady six-year-old trotting mare. On Sunday, Ha’penny Chance (6/4) hacked up by 10 lengths over the useful Iron Paddy (Rachael Stewart).

There are two meetings this weekend. The Sires Stakes fixture at Annaghmore today and the circuit moves back to Lyre, Clonakilty, tomorrow for the inaugural Richard Phelan Memorial meeting. First of 11 races at 1.30pm. A bar, fast food and bookmakers will be on site. Come racing!

Details: www.irishharnessracing.com