Annaghmore Sunday

THE Cooley-based stable of Martin Loughran has been in rude health recently. The family dubbed “The little people with magical powers” came away with a double from Annaghmore last Sunday.

Martin drove his brace with Ilda Manchette, owned by Limerick hurler Kyle Hayes, and Kirio Scott, owned by Corkman Ger Cooke, who is not on the county panel.

Loughran has an uncanny knack of getting his horses balanced so that he can drive them aggressively. Watch the replays on IHRA YouTube and you will see plenty of drivers who dare not move a muscle on a trotter.

Enter Martin, leaning forwards, clicking, cajoling and tapping at his horses. Martin did tell The Irish Field in a spring preview that he believes French Trotters generally race better on a cooler feed ration.

However he arrives at it, the trotters prepped on Shelling Hill beach usually justify market support.

Ilda Manchette was drawn six in a six-horse race. The seven-year-old mare coasted into contention and could be called the winner a long way from home. Sean Kane will be pleased with Kondor De Vandal’s Irish debut, a staying on second. Homa (Ciaran Morrison) was third, although friendless in the market.

Kirio Scott (4/7 favourite) led out, made all to win in 3.10 for a mile and a half. Hot To Trot was also second for Sean Kane, on a day where the airport fireman kept hitting the crossbar.

Interesting contest

The top-grade pace looked an interesting contest. A case could be made for all three runners. In the end, Northern Pride with Troy McAleer justified favouritism, clocking a sharp 1.58.2. Benny Camden rallied well for Leah McNevin, but Northern Pride got first run.

Hopefully, the current trend of small fields will be arrested at tomorrow’s Champion Stakes meeting. Little Sweet (Billy Roche for William Barrow of Limerick) beat Lis Avenue (Gavin Murdock) in a three-horse opener.

The jolly Alwaysfeelinghungry (Patrick Kane jnr) put in a novicey mistake at the start and will have better days.

“I raced her dam who was a well-marked skewbald,” said Billy Roche. “This filly only got a few white blotches over her tail, but she is a nice filly to race.”

The Murphys from Baltimore were not present but Bequest, trained by Paddy Kane, represented their ‘IB Stables’ in style. The son of Betting Line pinged the gate. The runner-up Battle Fever (Jimmy Stewart) put up a fight, but Patrick Kane jnr won with his stick still tucked under his arm in a respectable 2.00.1. Any 4/5 was soon mopped up on a day where the punters won.

Big Bets was also well supported. He is also by Betting Line, but looks a bigger model than Bequest. The five-year-old gave his backers a scare as Louis Vutton (Dan McAleer) and I’m Great Hanover (David Curtin) looked to be catching him. Larry Camden was a never-closer fourth in 2.03.9.

IRISH harness racing lost one of its keenest followers at the age of 83 in Seamus Corey of Glengormley, last weekend.

Seamus’ favourite horse was Sly Misty, his first top-grade performer. A beautifully renovated single horse box outside the wake house bore the words “2.03.8 - 20th July 1986“ a proud inscription.

Flight Invader and Fairdays Western were other champions from the Corey family. Seamus drove his last winner at the age of 73 namely Amitie Briangault.

The entire sport in Ireland extends sympathy to his wife Sheila, son Kevin, grandson Adam and large family.

THE Irish entries for the North Wales Championships at Tir Prince Raceway last weekend did the country proud. Patrick Kane jnr won the two-year-old fillies with Ayrodrome. Kane also won the colts’ division aboard Dazzling Lou; Churchview Rusty (Billy Roche) was an honourable second in this. Roche got some consolation when the teak tough Always Be Puffin got a deserved Group 2 win in the four-year-old mares’ race.

The talking point of the meeting was the three-year-old colts’ race. Bobby Barry’s Ayr Exchange (Gavin Murdock) beat the previously undefeated Ayrodrome in 1.58.4.

Ayr Exchange got the plum ‘No. 1’ draw, whereas Ayrodrome had to come from the ‘12-hole’ - a tough task. Both of the O’Neill, Ayr-bred colts are outstanding and followers are eagerly awaiting the rematch.

Camden lights up McCarthy double

Lyre Saturday

DERRY McCarthy was the man to follow at Lyre on Saturday where the Drimoleague-based publican enjoyed a training double.

Ayr Beach set the ball rolling for McCarthy, when landing the spoils in the Grade E to F pace.

Spartan Warrior and Ceiron Jack traded blows in the first half mile. Turning for home, Ayr Beach with Chelsie O’Driscoll in the bike, got his opening and hit the front with 100 yards to race and stayed on to win by a length and a half from Streams Of Whiskey.

The McCarthy double was completed 20 minutes later in the highest-Grade pace with Teddy Camden driven by the trainer himself. Biggins and Oakwood Maestro were in front early doors at a very sedate pace and it quickly emerged that this one would turn into a sprint finish.

Turning for home, Teddy Camden was set alight and finished strongly for a three-quarters-of-a-length win from Biggins, with IB Paddington a further length back in third.

The Grade G and G2 pace evolved into a battle between two of the Limerick runners, Miki Taker and House Party. After a tough battle, John Manning got House Party up on the line to beat Miki Taker by a nose. The winner is owned by Ryan Manning, a son of the winning driver. The Mannings are based at Groody Hill Stables.

The runner-up, on only his fourth lifetime start for John Cross Jnr, will improve on the run and shouldn’t remain a maiden for too long

Duc d’Arry continued his rich vein of form for owner/trainer/driver Denis O’Reilly from Drimoleague, when careering away to victory in Grade A to C trot.

Comete Des Landes led out from the gate, but O’Reilly wasn’t waiting around and sent “The Duc” to the front at the paddock bend.

The combination was six clear after the opening lap and steadily increased the advantage to win by nine lengths. Graal Du Dollar went in pursuit off a 50-yard trail, but the bird had flown.

“This was probably his best run of the year. Unfortunately, I’m going for a hernia operation this week, so I’ll be out of action for six weeks. I have James O’Driscoll my farrier lined up to drive him,” O’Reilly stated after racing.

Impressive

Inspire Me was equally impressive in the Grade D to F trot. Irish Good Dream, having seen off Hippie Sisu and Jalexia Scott in the opening two laps, was four lengths clear on the final lap and looked in control, but Mike O’Mahony was quietly coming around the field with Inspire Me.

They picked up the leader and won more easily than the official length and a half would suggest. The winner is owned by John Healy from Dunmanway and the win took this Irish-bred “Frenchie’s” lifetime earning to close on €60,000.

Weekend racing

Racing continues in Lyre today with the second leg of the Liam Wallace Memorial “Next Generation” Pace for apprentice drivers.

The programme also includes the second round of The Department of Agriculture/Food & Marine (DAFM) sponsored Future Broodmares races for both pacers and trotters.

Annaghmore hosts racing tomorrow with the first legs of the Irish Champion Stakes for those speedy two- and three-year-old pacers also with DAFM backing administered by HSI.

Racecards, results and information can be found at www.irisharnessracing.com. Race replays are available on IHRA You Tube channel.