Annaghmore Sunday

‘WHEN the cat’s away the mouse will play’ and so it proved at Annaghmore last Sunday. Reigning champion driver Patrick Kane junior was absent as Jonny Cowden fired in a treble.

The North Belfast man opened his three-timer when the much-improved Rhyds Ann M (4/6 favourite) won the G/G1 pace for Stephen McHugh and family from Bailieborough. Kiss Me Kate was runner-up in 2m 1.5secs for John Richardson.

The top-grade pace looked a formality for Always Skye and she didn’t disappoint. The Professor and Big Bets are no slouches, but they simply had no answer to Always Skye’s turn of foot. She won off a 40-yard mark in 2m.

“What can I say, she’s just a great mare and gets better with racing,” said Coleraine-based owner-trainer, Lawrence Stewart.

The meeting was a day for horses returning to form. The surname Dean has been a stranger to this column since the renowned Brenda retired. Brenda’s brother Gregory nearly got the Derriaghy family back in the headlines as his Bowie gave Meadowbranch Adira a scare in the Grade G pace. Bowie ran into a well-handicapped mare (the bookies bet ‘without’) and he will win in lesser company.

Adira continues to improve. She has a nice gait and needs very little equipment. She paced 2m 1.2secs in following up her win at Lyre.

The team of Willie Flanagan, his daughter Charlie and Noel Ryan have been quiet in recent months. If they bought ducks, they would drown. Happily Jaina Lou Lou bounced back to form for Charlie in the Department of Agriculture/HSI mares trot. Grand Galaxie tried her heart out for Gavin Murdock and Joe Sheridan, but Jaina Lou Lou (4/1) was too strong.

“That was a long time coming. Charlie gave her a good drive,” a relieved-looking Willie Flanagan told The Irish Field.

In the high-grade trot Ecrin Du Grimault looked like his old self for Omeath-based owner John Morgan. Dundalk’s deeper going will suit this muscular individual and a win on home soil for the Wee County would raise the rafters. The Gannon yard was mob-handed in this, but the best they could manage was second with Hulk De Chantereine.

Kaos De La Cotte acted up badly in the preliminaries of the Grade D to F trot. Firstly, he rusted causing a false start, then he put on a display of bucking worthy of any rodeo.

Five-length winner

Driver Calvin Broughan kept his head and let Kaos De La Cotte make up ground gradually. Eventually, he ran out a five-length winner over Kermesse Du Croq (Erin Flanagan).

Kaos was a popular winner as owners Jim and Ciara Galway are great supporters of the game.

There must be something in the water in Ederney, Co Fermanagh because at the minute Neville Martin could win a race with the companion pony.

The layers respect Neville and his Just A Moment was no bigger than 5/4. The five-year-old saw off Meadowbranch Lil Mil in a shade over 2m to win a Grade E/F pace. Stable first choice Jonny Cowden was in the bike.