VICHY De Moem’s crown may be slipping a bit as Allan Wallace’s much touted new import Ultimo d’ Orville took the top class trot at Portmarnock on last Sunday, May 14th. Did we see the changing of the guard or rather the opening salvo of a war that could last all summer?

Noely Ryan cut out the pace aboard Star De Fruitier and it appeared that the daisy-cutting daughter of Isario might last home. Alan Richardson and Vichy were off 70 yards and he used the horse three times in the mile and a half contest, picking his moves perfectly when there was a lull in the pace.

The “Iceman” saved his best effort for the home straight and actually got first run on Ultimo d’Orville.

“This was not Alan Wallace’s first day out though, and he gave Ultimo d’Orville a few deft smacks to triumph on the line.

‘’He’ll be the boss this year,” said Wallace on Sunday night. “This horse has raced in the better grades in France and the cream always rises.” A confident message, after round one!

Sean Kane’s team are vying with the Duggan yard for the title of string in form. The Naul-based trainer took race two with Saxo De Marancourt, noticeably more relaxed without all the headgear. Kane followed up in race four with Brasilia Match, a five-year-old mare who trotted very steadily.

Tonic Scott once more picked up the runner-up cheque behind Saxo Du Marancourt, while Urbano Des Selles followed home Kane’s second leg.

Race three went down a treat as five lesser-known drivers aboard five journeymen racehorses still made for a good spectacle. First season driver Jack Killeen fired up See My Reflection to set fast fractions (a 57sec half).

The Wallace pair of Newtown Major and Fair Enough briefly flattered but it was Porterstown Kirk (Derek Jennings) who had saved a bit for the straight.

The 12-year-old son of Western Hanover has been in more homes than a chimney sweep but he can still run a bit. The other veteran, See My Reflection, would have been closer under a more conservative drive. His popular young partner continues to improve.

FAILED TO FIRE

For the second consecutive week, a high profile favourite failed to fire when Lyons Nant Hall was never a factor in the A to E pace. The stewards called for the driver of the unplaced ‘ jolly ‘ as well as the driver of the second-placed Cool Night Ayr

In the event, Simon Duggan had a pillar-to-post victory with Rhyds Cobbler. This was a third win in as many weeks for the Cappagh, Co Tyrone man.

There were no such questions after race one where Sarahs Gift (JR) ran out the four-length winner over Newtown Amber and Best Of Class. Sarahs Gift is owned by the Cowdens of Belfast and should win more off her current lowly handicap. The time of 2.02.6 is about standard in this grade.

INCHYDONEY STRAND, CO. CORK

TIMMY Kelleher and his colleagues in the Cork-based ITHRF are fighting hard to make Inchydoney Strand an annual fixture. The one problem being, as at Laytown, mother nature dictates the start time. The bright colours of the drivers against the beautiful Inchydoney backdrop must trump any trotting venue in the world.

Tim’s brother Mikey and nephew Luke kept the Kelleher name to the fore there last Sunday. Kelleher senior won with stable stalwart Meadowbranch Demon while junior scored with Panam Colt.

The latter took a notable scalp in the shape of IB Coyote, currently co-favourite for the three-year-old fillies at the VDM weekend in August.

Demon disposed of good quality opposition in the shape of Rhyds Destiny and the Limerick runner Wellfeld Ghost.

Trotters are by nature harder to drive and the mix of hard and soft sand plus pools of water were a challenge for the drivers.

Newcomer Cupidon De Breteil from the Shanahan yard in Leap just held off the consistent Tornao Josselyn who always puts it in for the Quills of Kenmare.

Western Dreamer and King Wills Arrival were the other winners on the five-race card.

This Sunday the action moves to the Cornfield Oval in Manch for the first grass meeting on the circuit.

PORTMARNOCK

SUNDAY, MAY 14th

Pace G/G1: 1. Sarahs Gift, J Richardson 2. Newtown Amber, A Wallace 3. Best Of Class Time 2.02.6 Dist 4½l, 14l

Trot D to F:: 1 Saxo De Marancourt, S Kane. 2. Tonic Scott, L Darling 3. Baron De Nganda, P Gilligan. Time 3.13.2 Dist ¾l 2l

Pace Grade F: 1 Porterstown Kirk, D Jennings. 2 Newtown Major, S Wallace. 3. Fair Enough, R Sheridan. Time 2.05 Dist 2l 4l

Trot C/D/E: 1. Brasilia Match, S Kane 2. Urbano Des Selles, B Roche 3. Secret De Star, M Kane. Time 3.11.5 Dist 3l, 4l

Pace A to E: 1.Rhyds Cobbler, S Duggan 2. Cool Night Ayr, C Foran 3 Medowbranch Kiki, M Loughran. Time 2.03.2 Dist 5l, 2½ l

A5 to B Trot: 1 Ultimo d’Orville, A Wallace 2 Vichy De Moem, A Richardson 3. Star De Fruitier, N Ryan. Time 3.08.8 Dist ½l 1l

INCHYDONEY SUNDAY MAY 21ST

RESULTS

Grade G & G1 Pace: 1. Panam Colt, L Kelleher. 2. Ib Coyote, D Murphy. 3. Get Rockin, M Payne. Dist: 2l 3l. Time: 2.12.1. 6 ran.

Grade F & E Pace: 1. King Wills Arrival, F Quill Jnr. 2. Lyons Stallone, C O’Reilly. 3. Fairdays Bret, M Kelleher. Dist: 2l 3l. Time: 2.12.4. 5 ran.

Grade D & C Pace: 1.Western Dreamer, S Quill. 2. Rhyds Heartbeat, D Murphy. 3. Brywins Picasso, M Kelleher. Dist: 1/2l 1l. Time: 2.13.4. 4 ran.

Le Trot Grade F, E, D & C: 1. Cupidon De Breteil, M O’Reilly. 2. Tarnao Josselyn, S Quill. 3. Brutenor, P Hill. Dist: Sh 2l. Time: 2.17.7. 7 ran.

Grade B & A Pace: 1. Meadowbranch Demon, M Kelleher. 2. Rhyds Destiny, L Kelleher. 3. Wellfield Ghost, J Manning. Dist: 2l 1l. Time: 2.09.3.