JOHN Richardson began winning the leading drivers’ title at Portmarnock long before proper records were kept. “Over 20 times,” is JR’s best guess as to how often he has won the award, sponsored for the first time by The Irish Field in 2017 and again this year.

John was leading nearest pursuer Billy Roche by 30-26 going into last Sunday. On the day, Richardson posted a four-timer to Roche’s solitary winner so with one week to go in the ‘official’ standings, John leads Billy by seven wins.

For all that Billy is a formidable competitor, the Meadowbranch number one must be a 1/20 shot, if you can find a willing bookie.

The drivers’ championship is settled the Sunday before the SHRI awards night. The awards are set for Saturday night, October 27th at the Silver Sands Hotel, Portmarnock.

Confusion seems to reign about the cut-off point for some divisions of Horse of the Year etc. The various organisers could do with clarifying some of these titles. Stable followers, connections of horses and commentators such as this writer would welcome such clarity.

At Sunday’s meeting two of John’s winners were delivered in the nick of time at the all-important ‘jam stick’. Meadowbranch Ideal (A to C pace) and Umbratica (top grade trot) were planted on the line, job done.

“He’s been dogged by problems for some time but his clocks would tell you he’s a decent horse,” stated the driver with regard to Meadowbranch Ideal, “and Umbratica is about as genuine a mare as I’ve ever sat behind.”

John told The Irish Field that he had intended to drive Best Of Burois in the non winners’ trot. Tamalou Perrine’s wider sulky had the stirrups set for John’s leg length so for convenience, he decided to drive the larger of the two light bays.

Tamalou Petrine from Best Of Burois (Noel Ryan) was the result. When your luck is in, it’s in.

THIRD WINNER

John’s third winner of his quad came when Maxie Collins’ Beach De Bellouet led for most of the C and D trot. The Drogheda-based owner was away coursing and was lucky to pick up the winner’s cheque as Cool (Dan McAteer) looked to have the measure of the mare before putting in an untimely skip.

TOP GRADE

John Richardson’s only bad call on the day was when he chose Sarah’s Gift in preference to Meadowbranch Milli in the top grade pace.

Sarah’s Gift went off favourite with Milli one of the rags. Horses don’t know what price they are on the boards and the daughter of Kikicolt gave stable number two driver Noely Ryan a dream run down the inside to score in a lifetime best equalling 1.58.5.

Billy Roche (2015 champion) was the last man to interrupt John’s run of domination and even this year he has been on his rivals heels all season.

Billy enjoyed a great run with older trotters from around July onwards. His one win on Sunday came aboard the teak tough Urbano Des Selles.

Elsewhere, the opening four-year-old trot went to Anto Malone’s chunky Epsom d’Occagnes. The win brings Malone’s gelding level with Darren Timlin’s Epsom Des Corvees in the four-year-old of the year standings.

The Tyrone-based Simon Duggan made it two on the bounce with Foxfield Magician. The filly continues to improve.

‘Mr Consistency’ Tornao Josselyn goes round Portmarnock for fun. Left-handed or right-handed comes alike to the likeable 11-year-old.

He will be guaranteed a good home with driver Seamus Quill and family when the time comes to hang up his brushing boots. The Kenmare runner took a competitive-looking clockwise race in 3.12.7.

Five French Trotters appeared on the card, each of them having only landed in Ireland less than eight days beforehand. The good prize money on offer, plus the fact that these horses are shipped race-fit, means that connections are keen to see what they have.

Of the five new horses, four ran in an average manner and one landed a touch. Dollar Vert owned by Swindle and Carberry opened at 3/1 and drifted to 9/2, at which point the money came. The attractive entire put in a nice front-running performance for driver Wayne Swindle.

“We didn’t know much about him before the race,” admitted the Fermanagh farrier. “We gave him a fast turn on our own track during the week. He was hitting his knee warming up, but I got him away from it.”

Connections reported several offers to buy Dollar Vert. A good Trotteur Français can pay his way no problem in Ireland at the moment.

A word for the runner-up to Dollar Vert, namely Vallanzana. If there’s justice in this world the highly-strung mare must surely get another win before the end of the season. Every week she puts in a good effort for owners Griffin and Wallace and young driver Seamus Quill.

Full results can be seen at www.irishharnessracing.com