THOSE shrewd trotting trainers produce horses to peak in mid-August. The action may have been in Co Armagh on Sunday but compere Sean Duggan continually mentioned the upcoming Delaney Memorial (see opposite page) to winning owners.

The card featured ‘champion stakes’ across several age divisions and heats of the All-Ireland pace and trot.

The juvenile divisions provided small fields. Marias Blaze (Noel Ryan) and IB Espresso (Eoin Murphy) performed walkovers. Rugadh Me Reidh (John Richardson) beat two rivals in a speedy 1.59.1. Born In Isolation’s upward trajectory continues as he and Patrick Kane held off a determined Oakwood Mick and Gavin Murdock in the three-year-old colts.

Ayroplane (Patrick Kane) beat another expensive yearling (Oakwood Dessie) in a promising time of 2.01.2

The best race on paper for youngsters was the two-year-old fillies, where five stood their ground. As can happen with this age group, there was a shemozzle on the first bend. Churchview Meow with Billy Roche managed to avoid the mishap. She won in the manner of a nice filly and there were confident comments from the Baskin yard, looking forward to Wolverhampton.

And so to the larger fields. Patrick Kane jnr was on fire at the venue and draws level with Jonny Cowden in the drivers’ table. The Trim farrier registered a four-timer consisting of the aforementioned two youngsters, Harry Knows (All-Ireland trot heat) and Benny Camden (All-Ireland pace heat).

Remarkable performance

If you have a spare moment look up the replay (on IHRA Facebook) of race 9 - July 28th. You will see a remarkable performance. Paddy Kane’s pride and joy made a skip at the start, lost a good eight lengths, came gliding back up to the pack, sat two wide for a quite a while and trotted away from the best in the country.

Benny Camden was also impressive in the pace division. He did not see a rival and won in 1.58.9. Rathcoole owner Wayne McNevin supplemented the 10-year-old for the VDM in the wake of this win.

Alan Davies’ Hernani D’Orient and John Richardson fell foul of the rules in Lyre (disqualified). On the day he justified market support to win by three and half lengths from Iron Paddy (Ronan Norton).

“We got a perfect trip,” said John. “We may have been a bit lucky when Hotesse Du Chassin (Jamie Hurley) broke in the stretch.”

Gavin Murdock and his cousin Ciaran Morrison both won with horses on the comeback trail. The Murphys from Baltimore entrusted Bequest (6/4 to 1/2) to Ciaran as he would like a hard track. The solid-looking son of Betting Line sluiced up in 1.59.6 in the E to F pace on his second run after a layoff.

The Mocking Jay (evens best) has travelled an unusual path to the winner’s circle of the Grade F pace. The eight-year-old mare led out, made all for Gavin to score in 2.01.2 from a gutsy Imperial Attitude (Jamie Hurley). “She got injured at three and her then owner covered her,” said Gavin. “She will race on the same card as her son Sweet Touch in Wolverhampton.”

Isora De Source and Freddie Kavanagh continued her recent fine form to win the Grade E to F trot. It’s A Deal (Patrick Kane jnr for Aidan Caffrey) indicated ‘winner soon’ in second place.

On Armagh’s big day there was also a win for their Tyrone neighbours as the small but game Coalford Henry H (Simon Duggan) came from a horrible draw to beat the gambled-on Amazon Fire (Gavin Murdock).

Well respected pundit John Roche interviewed the owners and he called Henry H “the most improved horse in the country”. John was coaxing the Duggans to head to Dunstall Park - watch this space.

Racing takes place at Annaghmore today where some of the lesser lights can get on the scoreboard.

Entries, results and information are at www.irishharnessracing.com. Replays are on IHRA Facebook page.