AN invigorated committee brought The Famous Musselburgh Pace back to the Edinburgh venue last Saturday.

Discontinued in 2021, the reprieve was music to the ears of UK and Irish trotting men. There was a smaller than previous Irish representation, but the few runners made a bang.

Ayr Exchange was the subject of a monster gamble in the opening maiden, but did not last home. The McAleer yard from St Margaret’s had a super meeting. Coalford Annabelle won her heat for Troy McAleer, while Northern Pride was second to the great Evenwood Son Of A Gun in both heat and the £6,000 final in memory of Mike Sammons.

Evenwood Son Of A Gun, the apple of Alexis Laidler’s eye, won the prestigious race eight years after his previous win. At the age of 13, he draws admiration from all quarters.

Twenty-one-year-old Stephen Lees, a popular race caller on the circuit picked up his first-ever win with Mayfellden Ivor.

Main organiser Darren Owen reported positive feedback from those organising. The IHRA sponsored two heats.

Lyre Saturday \ Tim Kelleher

Boyle chose to drive Streams of Whiskey with his grandson Robbie Maguire on IB Felicity. Both were drawn on the front line in the mile contest and it was Streams Of Whiskey who led out IB Felicity and Ayr Beach.

A few thunderstorms and heavy overnight rain had changed the going to soft. Turning for home, Streams of Whiskey found an extra gear and stayed on to beat IB Felicity and Biggins in a blanket finish. There was great banter after the race, with the octogenarian getting the better of his teenage grandson.

Mike O’Mahony from Schull was leading driver on the day driving a brace of winners. In the Grade G and G1 pace, Oakwood Dezzie was the punters’ choice. Totally Riley led the opening half mile from Still Game.

On the back straight with two furlongs to pace, O’Mahony produced Day Tripper to burst clear and went on to win by eight lengths on his Irish debut from Still Game, with Oakwood Dezzie finishing a length further back in third.

Further twist

The winner is owned by Mike Healy from Dunmanway and trained by Conor Hurley in Reenascreena. A further twist is that Day Tripper was bred in Wales by Will Evans, whose daughter Kayleigh is the partner of the winning driver.

O’Mahony completed his brace on Sexxy Socks for Leap owner Micheal O’Donovan. Down By Crecora was looking for his third win of the season and led early doors. Again, it was a sensible pace in the conditions and, in a sprint finish, Sexxy Socks joined issue and ran out a four-length winner. It was a poignant success for O’Donovan as his mother Patsy was buried early in the week.

Duc d’Arry returned to winning ways for Drimoleague native Denis O’Reilly in the C to D trot. Humour De Cosse was the early leader, but O’Reilly was not hanging about and took up the running on the second lap of three, which saw the start of a massive thunderstorm with viewing limited for spectators and drivers alike.

Neither the weather nor his five rivals were going to stop the 12-year-old from recording a 13-length victory.

“He was a bit off-form the last few weeks, but gave me a great feel warming up, so I knew we were in business today,” O’Reilly was quoted after his win.

Destin De Larre has been a great servant for the Quill Family from Kenmare and notched up another win in the ultra-competitive Grade E and F trot. Hippie Sisu, Empereur Souverain and Irish Good Dream all had their turn at making the running, but Destin De Larre was never far away and hit the front with a furlong to trot and held off the renewed challenge of Hippie Sisu by a length.

Graal Du Dollar was all the rage, despite a 40-yard handicap in the concluding Grade A to B grade trot. Fairplay Briolais led the opening lap, but the favourite took up the running and led to the bell. Driver Dan O’Mahony pitched Fairplay Briolais on the better ground and passed the leader with ease, eventually running away from the field giving Comete Des Landes a 20-length beating. The winner is owned by Dan’s father Jeremiah O’Mahony from Dunmanway.

“It was tough out there, but my lad has a good old engine and stayed on well.” O’Mahony told The Irish Field.

Entries, results and information are available at www.irishharnessracing.com. Replays can be seen at IHRA You Tube channel.

Action returns to Annaghmore (J13 of M1 or eight miles west of Richhill) today, while Dunmanway tomorrow stages the George Deane Memorial Day at the Ballabuidhe track.