Annaghmore

Saturday

JONNY Cowden drove a double at Annaghmore on Saturday. The North Belfast man won the maiden pace with Kevin Corey’s Montanas Prince and the F and E Grade pace with Walter Stewart’s Big Bets. Harry Knows won off a 70-yard trail yet again.

The fixture was a quiet affair as the glamour meeting was to be the next day, the Irish Harness Racing Association Juvenile Series meeting at the new Lyre Raceway.

Jonny’s first winner came in an incident-packed low-grade pace. Firstly, Brody galloped in the middle of the pack (one of the most dangerous things that can happen).

Luckily, some quick reflexes by the drivers following averted a crash. Cowden went on with Montanas Prince and looked to be home and hosed. Then this leader made a bubble also. John Richardson and Meadowbranch Adios were coming with a run and appeared to be impeded.

The judges called an enquiry and the Glengormley-based Montanas Prince kept the race. Wellfield Ace and Shea Murphy avoided the shemozzle and were an encouraging second in an unspectacular 2.05.

“He popped a splint at three, so we threw him out. Jonny and Noel had a spare stable and they have made a good job of him,’’ said owner, Kevin Corey. The winner is out of Kevin’s useful Mahogany Montana.

Bets landed

Walter Stewart’s Big Bets is well named. At 16.2hh, he is one of the tallest pacers on the circuit. Jonny gave the 6/4 shot a patient drive to win the higher-grade pace. Louis Vutton from the McAleer, Randalstown yard was second. As is so often the case with a big horse, Big Bets is better at five than he was at three.

Elsewhere, Hope De Guinnette (Billy Roche) made Harry Knows work for it in the top-grade trot. For perspective, Harry Knows was giving the second 70 yards. The Kanes are unlikely to ever have a trotter like Harry Knows again, and they savour every win.

Epsom De Corvees may not be in Harry’s league, but Timlins from Derrylin have certainly knocked some fun out of this campaigner. The 12-year-old showed a nine-year-old and a 10-year-old a clean pair of heels, as he dispatched Hydra Ouest (Neil McDermott) and Gamin Marindais (Adam Corey) in 2.38 for a mile and a quarter. Luke Timlin moved early on Epsom De Corvees, as he had plenty of horse. The other trot on the card went to The Red Baron, Billy Roche with the promising Klaousou d’Amour (5/4). Feugeres Erem (Sean Kane for Andy McTaggart) left everything on the pitch as usual. She stayed on gamely for second, but the bird had flown.

Annaghmore is scheduled to race today (Saturday). Meanwhile, the colourful Ballabuidhe Festival meeting at the Dunmanway race field will be held tomorrow and Bank Holiday Monday.

Ballabuidhe is one of those rare meetings, which attracts the public alongside hardened followers. A best dressed lady competition brings out polka dots, pastel shades and high heels of the finest.

Results, entries and information can be found at www.irishharnessracing.com. Race replays can be viewed on the IHRA YouTube channel.