THE Tyrone-owned Rhyds Boots just happened to be the 6,000th entry at Portmarnock since the track reopened four years ago.

In the top grade pace, the hardy eight-year-old gelding was hustled into the lead by Simon Duggan, after another Ulster raider Heart Of Steel (Nigel Quigley) set sharp fractions. The 2m 00.8sec equals the time set by Newtown Rock last week.

The connections were deservedly delighted after the race with Simon offering some interesting views on training methods. Seemingly, Boots worked the previous Wednesday towing the considerable bulk of Shane McConnell, so Simon’s 11st build felt like no burden at all.

Ger Kane of The Naul was specialising in trotters (as opposed to pacers) for years before the current Gallic invasion. The Kane family will take great pleasure from their trotting double.

Sean took the high grade aboard Uldiem Alfa, helped when well-backed favourite Vichy De Moem (Alan Richardson) put in a break when travelling ominously well.

A gelding named Soir De Printemps would win of a ‘spring evening’ – wouldn’t he? The 10-year-old gave everything for Sean’s sister Emma, to upstage Alienor Dupadoueng (Billy Roche) in 3m 12.sec

The winning driver explained that ‘Prince’ – as he is known at home, gets most of his exercise under saddle. “He’s been in some form since the turn of the year,” beamed a proud Emma.

The Wallace team have started well and Venise Du Bois (4/6 favourite) rewarded the money buyers in the opener. The placed horses offered little resistance to Clive Richardson’s mare.

Coalford Hardy confirmed last year’s promise under Mark Kane in Race 2 with Cork runner Hakuna Matata (Chris O’Reilly) the bridesmaid.

The layers felt aggrieved in Race 3 when the moral victor Tombee De Ciel was rubbed out in the stewards’ room, (galloped for more than 15 strides).

In the opinion of this observer, the rules were fairly applied. The reversal meant winner number one of the 2016 season for the stylish Patrick Kane Jnr, his Secret De Star being the rather fortunate beneficiary.

Springhill KG has ability but is something of a thinker. Enter John Richardson who buzzed him out of the gate and kept the home bred son of Ayr Glory up to his work in 2m 05.1sec

The win was the first of 2016 for Joe Sheridan’s Garristown yard. Lee Kelly’s Check Me Over filled second, a satisfactory debut. The favourite Dave’s Alibi was never closer than third. Racing continues every Sunday at 3pm.

STALLION DEATH

Irish harness racing fans are still reeling from the news that high profile stallion No Pan Intended (p,1m 50.3) died on the 29th April as a result of a freak accident at Oakwood Stud, Co Offaly.

Already the sire of winners of $35 million in his native USA, he looked destined to improve the local breed and had just commenced his first season in Ireland.

RESULTS

PORTMARNOCK

1st May 2016

R1 12 Furlong Trot: 1. Venise du Bois, A Wallace Snr, 2. Saxo De Maricourt, S Kane, 3. Velours Dore, L Darling: Time: 3.12.6 Dist: 5l, Sh Hd SP 4/6F, 4/1, 6/1

R2 1 Mile Pace: 1. Coalford Hardy, M Kane 2. Springhill Catch, N Ryan 3. Hakuna Matata, C O’Reilly Time 2.03.6 Dist 6l, 3l. SP 1/2f, 3/1, 7/2

R3 12 Furlong Trot: 1. Secret De Star P Kane jnr 2. Valiant De Gueham, B Roche 3. Rainbow Quest, A Malone. Time: 3.11.0 3l, Nk SP 4/5f, 4/1, 4/1

R4 1 Mile Pace: 1. Springhill KG, J Richardson 2. Check Me Over, L Kelly 3. Daves Alibi, N Ryan. Time: 2.05.1 Dist: 3l, Nk. SP 2/1, 5/2, 7/4f

R5 12 Furlong Trot: 1. Soir de Printemps, E Kane 2. Alienor Dupadoueng,B Roche, 3. Tamalou Perrine, N Ryan Time: 3.11.7 Dist 3l, 3l SP 4/1, 4/6 f, 5/1

R6 1 Mile Pace: 1. Rhyds Boots, S Duggan,2. Camden Casanova, J Richardson 3. Lyons Nant Hall, B Roche Time 2.00.8 Dist 6l, Nk SP 1/2f, 2/1, 9/2

R7 12 Furlong Trot: 1. Uldiem Alfa, S Kane 2. Urbano De Selles, B Roche 3 Tonic Scott, C Foran, Time: 3.09.2 Dist: 5l, 10l SP 6/1, 5/1, 4/1.