Annaghmore Sunday

THE 2026 harness racing season ramped up another notch last Sunday, with the Bernie Kelly Memorial run held in honour of a much-respected administrator.

John Richardson, Jonny Cowden and Ronan Norton all had doubles, while Adam Corey from Glengormley moved off the cold list.

Richardson’s double opened in the first race with RD Diamond Wash for Wayne McNevin from Rathcoole. The runner-up, Always B Brian, looks a nice prospect for Buster and Mary Gilligan. “Wayne has put money and effort into the game; he deserves to do well,” said Richardson. The winner’s sire, Cattlewash, was owned by Bill Donovan, a great friend to Irish harness racing, and the race clocked a respectable 2.01.3.

Richardson then doubled up in the D to E trot with Jelina Benoit, who is racing in a no-nonsense manner at the moment. Mares can, however, change like the wind.

Jonny Cowden won the Grade G pace with Stephen McHugh’s dependable Woodview Rogue (4/5 best), taking as little as possible out of the son of Kikicolt. Newtown Electra (Lee Kelly) put up some resistance, but the winner has mixed with tougher company.

Sweet Pa benefited from a typical ‘leave a bit for the next day’ Cowden drive in winning the Grade F and E pace. Tarawood Larry (Gavin Murdock) showed an improvement on recent form in finishing second. Last year’s VDM winner clocked 2.01.6 without turning a hair.

Funky feelings

Longford farrier Ronan Norton - who puts on the plates for Paul Flynn, among others - won with the catchily-named Funky Du Noyer in a division of the Grade F trot. Lieutenant Dan has taken time to adapt to open-class racing, but he trotted better to finish second for Sean Kane. The winner had been well-supported in the ring.

Norton also won with his own Iron Paddy, who picked up €1,640 and the Bernie Kelly trophy. Second-placed Gingko Du Corbon is coming into form for Joseph Caffrey.

Adam Corey (21) had his best seasonal tally of his short career in 2025. He hasn’t been getting the rub of the green in 2026, so he will be relieved that Extrem Ryld (3/1 best) won a competitive apprentice trot in 2.03.3. Gentleman d’Alesa trotted level for Calvin Broughan to take second money. “The old dog rises to the top,’’ said Corey of the 12-year-old winner.

Vein of form

Broughan is very much in form at the moment and even caused an ‘outsider of two’ upset when the B to C pace cut up to be an actual match. The Professor came with a well-timed run to score, inflicting a rare defeat on Newtown Major.

On a good day for young drivers, Luke Timlin had a confident win aboard Kapricia Marboula in division one of the Grade F trot. The Fermanagh man led another Lakeland County runner home, Hydra Quest finishing second with Neil McDermott.

Oakwood Paddy was unbackable for the three-runner free-for-all pace. The pride of the Murdock/McNulty team dictated the pace, as befits a 1.49 performer in his US career. Top-class paces in the UK will be the target for the son of Foreclosure NZ.