THE prestigious top grade pace at Portmarnock on Sunday went to one of the sport’s longest standing families, the Mannings from Limerick. Driver John Manning’s grandfather Paddy used to bring a lorry load of runners to the track in the 1970s. He often sold one or two and then picked up a few new recruits which would return the following week.

John was on his own Wellfield Ghost, an attractive grey gelding. The pair stole a march on the field as they passed Peters Paddock first time around. The original leader The Apprentice (Buster Gilligan), had no answer to the grey’s burst of speed. John Richardson was content to sit with the favourite Kickass Katie (1/2 to 6/4) and surely if the race were re-run tomorrow JR might have been be closer to the pace.

In the stretch, the seven-year-old (bred by BHRC chairman Roy Sheedy in Wales) showed great guts to fend off the iron horse Meadowbranch Demon with regular partner Mikey Kelleher. Kickass Katie finished best of all for second, 2.01 being the time.

Richardson was seen to better effect with Umbratica who made it two from two in the top grade trot. The lovely gaited mare beat Silvano Bello and Star De Fruitier more comfortably than the one length and one and a half lengths would suggest. She really is a treat to watch and will make a nice addition to the rapidly growing trotteur francais breeding programme when her racing days are over.

The opener saw a touch in the betting ring. Buster Gilligan kept pushing Aram with all the urgency of a gambled on horse. As with Umbratica, this was also a second win in as many weeks for the popular pairing. Tonic Scott and Lukie Darling keep hitting the crossbar, with the Kanes’ Valse Des Fourches in third.

Balarou Des Iles caught the eye last week and went one better this time to open Alan Wallace’s 2017 tally. Alineka Darche stayed level for Donal Murphy this week for second, the winner trotted the mile and a quarter in 2.37.9.

Tyrone’s Simon Duggan has his string in good tune and Rhyds Cobbler, a product of the famed North Wales stud, took the D to F pace. Meadowbranch Kiki (M Loughran) showed a good turn of foot to be second from the ‘7 hole’, as the Americans term his draw.

Ib Mc Gregor (Donal Murphy) won only once from seven starts last term when he scored in August for visiting Kiwi Dexter Dunn. The well-made son of Hasty Hall, from the Murphys’ proven broodmare Annies Lady, should clock up a few wins this year as he looks an improving type and has been given time to mature, as is typical of the Murphys.

Cork compatriot Pan Am Kolt ran well for the runner-up slot with the promising Lukie Kelleher in the bike.

The right-handed trots aren’t everybody’s taste but Soprano Gede certainly likes going clockwise. Sean Kane will be glad to get off the mark for the season. Market leader Beeper, driven by Sean’s brother-in-law Buster Gilligan skipped in this. The contest was over a mile and 2.05 was the ‘official’.

MALTA EXPLOITS

Many of the attendance had an eye on the internet for news of Brenda Hudson’s exploits as she represented Ireland in Malta. A disqualification whilst in the lead, followed by an unplaced run was the best that our leading lady could manage. However, all the regulars were fiercely proud of the evergreen Brenda. A separate report is published above.

Racing continues tomorrow (Sunday), May 14th at 3pm, while the northern region opens on Wednesday, May 17th, at 8pm at Annaghmore Raceway (Junction 13 off the M1). For Portmarnock find St Olave’s Chapel on the Balgriffin to Malahide Road and turn down the side of same.

RESULTS

PORTMARNOCK Sunday, May 7th

Race One. Trot E/F: 1. Aram, B Gilligan 2. Tonic Scott, L Darling 3. Valse Des Fourches, M Kane Time 2.36.5 Dist 5l, 1½l

Race Two Pace G/G1/F: 1 IB Mc Gregor, D Murphy 2. Panam Kolt, L Kelleher 3. Alikolt. S Duggan. Time 2.03.5 Dist 3l, 2l

Race Three Trot C/D: 1. Balarou Des Iles, A Wallace 2. Alineka Darche D Murphy 3. Secret De Star, P Kane jun Tome 2.37.9 Dist 3½l, nk.

Race Four Pace D/E/F: 1. Rhyds Cobbler, S Duggan 2. Meadowbranch Kiki, M Loughran 3. King Wills Arrival, S Quill. Time 2.02.3 Dist 2l, 1l

Race Five Trot Right Handed. D/F: 1. Soprano Gede, S Kane 2. Rohan Des Thirons, M Kane 3 Alienor Dupadoueng, B Roche Time 2.06.1 Dist 5l, dist

Race Six A1 to C Pace: 1. Wellfield Ghost, J Manning 2. Kickass Katie, J Richardson 3. Meadowbranch Demon, M Kelleher. Time 2.01 Dist nk,nk

Race Seven A to C Trot: 1. Umbratica, J Richardson 2. Silvano Bello, D Murphy 3. Star Du Fruitier, N Ryan Time 2.37.2 Dist 1l, 1½l