THE North West Racing Board continued their busy season with the annual trip to the seaside village of Portsalon, Co Donegal on Sunday last.

The picturesque village situated on Lough Swilly was looking at its very best in beautiful sunshine. Not surprisingly a huge holiday crowd turned out for the seven-race card which also provided victories for seven different jockeys.

Kaceylou Carberry was seen at her very finest when making every inch of the running on her former Dingle winner Shake Me in the 12-furlong contest. The Meath jockey judged the fractions to perfection here on the Team Browne-owned Shake Me and the partnership ran out impressive five-length winners at the line.

Adrian Browne reported the winner as just coming back to form following an injury sustained last year, with all roads now leading back to Dingle next month.

Recent winner Second Violin kept on for a never nearer second place with Tommy K a staying-on third.

Kerry jockey Billy Roberts was reunited with his Dingle Derby victor Here We Go Again in the two-mile race and they duly landed the odds in taking fashion. Here We Go Again travelled ominously well from the drop of the flag and quickened away off the final bend to further enhance his Dingle Derby credentials.

Team Browne’s debutant Roll The Dice caught the eye here under a welter burden when staying on strongly for second place and could well be one for the festival notebook next month.

Impressive performance

Nina Doherty kept her fan club happy when Our Bridget put up yet another hugely impressive performance to win the 10-furlong race. The Daithi Gormley-trained winner remains unbeaten and showed a wonderful change of gear here to settle the issue in a matter of strides.

Our Bridget is likely to take in the 10-furlong race on the opening night in Dingle before a tilt at Saturday’s Laura Barry Ladies Derby. Runner-up Stepaside left his Bundoran effort well behind and is likely to revert back to a mile in Ballacolla tomorrow.

The Finnegan brothers are enjoying a stellar season and they both found their way to the winner’s enclosure. Dingle specialist Little Heart is coming nicely to the boil for the trip back to Ballintaggart and he ran out a snug winner of the 15hh race over 10 furlongs.

Paddy Finnegan went to the front here at the halfway stage and Little Heart ran on strongly to beat Dream Dancer by a length. Owner Ollie Finnegan reported his winner as just about to hit top form and could well appear in the 15hh division on all three days in Dingle.

Thady Finnegan was on the mark on Smokey Lady \ Healy Racing

Future stars

Thady Finnegan is a big name for the future and he gave Smokey Lady a peach of a drive to win the 12.2hh/13.2hh contest. The winner made every inch of the running and looks a young pony rapidly on the upgrade.

Cameron Cromwell is another rising star of the pony division and he was seen to great effect when Lesson Learned repeated his Athea success in the 14.2hh race over 10 furlongs.

This smart pony cut through the field from halfway and forged ahead from the furlong pole for a snug length and a half victory. Early leader Wee Bucks kept on gamely in second with Fiadh’s Fancy a gallant third.

Local jockey Ben Lecky is enjoying a remarkable season and he was on the mark again when Stop On Red caused a mild upset in the mile horse race.

Always close to the pace, Stop On Red led from the furlong pole and held off the late rattle of Let’s Try Again under Kaceylou Carberry by three-parts of a length at the winning post. Better known as a multiple winner in the 15hh division, Stop On Red will have a choice of engagements in Dingle next month.

Full marks to the hard-working Portsalon committee for a wonderful day’s racing which was run off in a timely and professional manner.

Proceeds from the day will go to the Donegal hospice and Tamney Health Centre, two amazing local causes.

THE Midland Region will stage a new fixture tomorrow in Ballacolla, Co Laois at 1pm.

The North West Racing Board have rearranged the Letterkenny races at the Big Isle for Saturday, July 25th at 2.30pm.

The traditional eve of Galway races fixture at Ballyconnelly, Co Galway will be held on Sunday, July 26th at 1pm.

Results

12.2HH/13.2HH (6F): 1, O. Finnegan SMOKEY LADY (Thady Finnegan); 2,T. Beegan’s MINIE HAWK (Jake Cromwell); 3, O. Finnegan’s LITTLE JOEY (Paddy Finnegan).

14.2HH (10F): 1, K. Cromwell’s LESSON LEARNED (Cameron Cromwell); 2, Holian Syndicate’s WEE BUCKS (Thady Finnegan); 3, J. McGettigan’s FIADH’S FANCY (Nina Doherty).

15HH (10F): 1, O. Finnegan’s LITTLE HEART (Paddy Finnegan); 2, McGinley Racing’s DREAM DANCER (Nina Doherty); 3, O. Donaghy’s DANCING DIAMOND (Ethan Hogan).

Open Horse Race (1M): 1, S & M Syndicate’s STOP ON RED (Ben Lecky); 2, Team Browne’s LETS TRY AGAIN (Kaceylou Carberry); 3, N. Holohan’s ROCKY (Sean Holohan).

Open Horse Race (10F): 1, S & R Syndicate’s OUR BRIDGET (Nina Doherty); 2, S & M Syndicate’s STEPASIDE (Ben Lecky); 3, S. Crabbe’s YOURS OR MINE (Paddy Finnegan).

Open Horse Race (12F): 1, Team Browne’s SHAKE ME (Kaceylou Carberry); 2, McGinley Racing’s SECOND VIOLIN (Jake Cromwell); 3, L. McLaughlin’s TOMMY K (Nina Doherty).

Open Horse Race (2M): 1, L. McLaughlin’s HERE WE GO AGAIN (Billy Roberts); 2, Team Browne’s ROLL THE DICE (Jake Cromwell); 3, D. Ferry’s BIG JIM (Brody Ferry).