WITH most of the winning connections presumably nursing celebratory headaches in North Wales, there was a chance for some of the lesser lights to pick up a win at Annaghmore last Sunday.
Epsom Des Corvees defied a tough draw (the ‘eight-hole’) to register his 41st win for the Timlins from Derrylin, who broke him and have raced him in eight seasons.
“What can you say apart from that he’s just a genuine old horse,” said Darren, a farrier by day.
Emil Paco, with VDM-winning Jonny Cowden in the bike, trotted steadily as usual for €1,334 second-place money.
The previous week’s meeting saw four horses break the two-minute barrier, whereas on the day the two paces went 2.03.4 and 2.05.8.
Time only matters when you’re in jail, as former harness racing columnist Thomas Bennett used to quip. The McAteers from Randalstown won’t care that Louis Vutton (Daniel McAteer) didn’t send shockwaves around the harness racing world. You can only beat what’s put in front of you and Louis Vutton has been running well in defeat recently.
The son of Sweet Lou showed a good turn of foot to lead. Arts Princess (Adam Corey) went off in pursuit but the bird had flown. Louis Vutton was backed into favouritism by the small attendance. “I wanted to lead and, once we got there, I was happy,”explained Daniel.
The other pace saw Joe Caffrey’s Hidden Assets shed his maiden tag. Springhill Lockdown was second for the Cowden/ Sheridan connections. The winner was one of nine winners sired by Sweet Lou between Armagh and Wales over the weekend.
Making Memories (Calvin Broughan) comfortably beat Sean Kane on Made For Monsa in the three-year-old trot.
Good day
Sean Kane had a good day at the office. He took out the final four-year-old trot of the season with Jermiah O’Mahony’s Lieutenant Dan. The son of Apprenti Sourcier played up in Ballabuidhe but made no mistake here, trotting a new lifetime mark of 2.06.9.
Sean ended the day with a double as his long-term partner Andy McTaggart’s Feugeres Erem (5/2 best) bounced back to form in the High-Grade trot. ‘
‘The Wee Mare From Ballyclare’ had looked to be out of sorts in recent runs, so fair dues to Andy, who didn’t lose faith in her. The win takes Feugeres Erem’s lifetime earnings over the €50,000 mark.
I Want You Back (Martin Loughran) and Ecrin De Grimault (Noel Ryan) got going late, but Andy’s pride and joy was gone for all money.
The Grade E and F trot was decided in the stewards’ room as, in the opinion of the stewards, the first past the post Isba Quick, driven by Adam Corey, made contact with Kermesse Du Crocq (John Richardson). Therefore, the €1,878 for the winner went to Forrest Jo (Noel Ryan).
Racing continues at Annaghmore today. The track is at J13 M1 or eight miles west of Richhill. Entries, results and information can be found at www.irishharnessracing.com
Replays can be watched on Irish Harnesss Racing Association You Tube Channel.
Lyre Sunday \ Tim Kelleher
DUC d’Arry for owner/trainer Denis O’Reilly from Drimoleague reached a landmark 25 career victories, when landing the odds in the Top-Grade trot at Lyre on Sunday.
Comete Des Landes was the early leader from Going Des Tithas and Gentleman Coglais. Heading to the three-quarters of the mile marker, Comete Des Landes and Duc d’Arry were as one. Turning for home, Comete Des Landes gave a skip, which left Duc D’Arry clear. He ran out a six-length winner for driver James O’Driscoll from Inspire Me.
“Look, he’s a horse of a lifetime, winning 25 for us. Despite his age, he has been in great form. We’ll keep him going for the rest of the year before we think about next season,” said Denis O’Reilly.
Always Skye, owned by Portrush, Co Antrim man Lawrence Stewart, won the Free For all Pace the previous week in Dunmanway. The mare was back in handicap company this time and was set to trail the gate 50 yards in a competitive looking heat. At the half-mile pole, Getmeoutofere took up the running and Always Skye was stuck in traffic back in fifth. Turning for home, Eoin Murphy on Always Skye saw daylight and went after Getmeoutofere.
There was a fierce battle for the final 100 yards and the pair crossed the line locked together. Following protracted viewing of the photo, the judges sided with Always Skye by a short-head.
More experience
“Lawrence left her down with us last weekend after Dunmanway and was anxious to get more experience of racing on the grass with The Red John Memorial her target in September,” Tadhg Murphy, winning trainer, told The Irish Field.
The win brought up a double for Eoin Murphy, who earlier in the day landed the spoils in the Grade G and G2 Pace with Sexxy Socks for Leap-based Mike O’Donovan. Lisleen Skater made the running in the three-runner contest but Murphy produced Sexxy Socks with two furlongs to pace and ran out a four-length winner.
Mike O’Mahony from Schull came in for the spare drive on Brutenor in the Grade E and F trot with regular driver Patrick Hill on holidays.
Hippie Sisu led for most of the contest but Brutenor was always in his slipstream and was eased to the front with three furlongs remaining. The chesnut recorded a 10-lengths win. Pete Hill from Leap owns the veteran French-bred and trains at his Hillside Farm base.
Anglesey Hall was an uneasy favourite (evens to 2/1) in the Grade F Pace with punters siding with IB Felicity. IB Felicity, Streams Of Whiskey and Anglesey Hall traded blows up front. However, Coalford GoodFella came from behind to get up in the final strides to deny veteran driver John Boyle victory.
The winner is owned by Limerick native Pa Manning and a possible visit to Wales for the Tregaron Festival could be next for this five-year-old son of Henry Hill.
Racing continues at Lyre tomorrow while the annual IHRA Memorial Day is scheduled for the same venue on Sunday, August 24th. The field is halfway between Clonakilty and Dunmanway.