THE North West Racing Board returned to Carndonagh on Sunday last for their second meeting of the season.

Amazingly, just two jockeys were to get on the scoreboard with Reese Holohan completing a five-timer and Jake Cromwell landing the other three contests.

Mountrath jockey Reese Holohan kicked off his day to savour when Dream Dancer followed up his recent course victory in the 15hh race.

The McGinley Racing’s charge made every inch of the running here under a brilliant drive to win by two lengths from Little Man who kept on gamely in second place. The winner had scored in open company here at the last meeting and looks a sure-fire Dingle candidate for his enthusiastic owners.

Reese quickly followed up in the mile race when Dell Boy benefited from his eye-catching comeback two weeks ago for a three-length victory. This imposing sort looked destined for top honours last term before injury curtailed his campaign.

Dell Boy was sent on from halfway and ran on strongly to beat Jacob and Daithi’s Dream.

Third winner

Shane Crabbe’s Not Another Horse provided Reese with his third winner when landing the 10-furlong contest over debutante The Glen by three lengths. The winner was dropping back in distance having been runner-up over two miles last time out. The Glen caught the eye in second and could be another interesting contender for the Teddy Worrell yard.

Team Worrell went one better in the 12-furlong contest when Dingle Derby hero Verstappen made a winning seasonal reappearance. This race produced one of the most exciting finishes of the afternoon as Dare To Dream under Camillus Byrne came with a wet sail down the straight only to be denied by a neck at the line.

This will have blown away the cobwebs of the champion stayer and he is likely to step up to two miles next time out.

Reese crowned his most wonderful of afternoons when She’s A Freebie made all the running off a slow pace to win the two-mile event. Another winner for Shane Crabbe, She’s A Freebie will mix it over 12 furlongs and two miles for the remainder of the season.

Pony racing bug

Jake Cromwell has really got the pony racing bug over the last year and a half in the local pony division. He certainly came of age in Carndonagh and could well be the pony jockey find of the season.

Jake judged the fractions to perfection on Here For The Craic who landed the 13.2hh contest in snug fashion over Little Sadie and Timothy Byrne. Jake then stepped in for the ride on Dingle winner Little Chief in the 14hh race which involved a clash with the previously impressive Justasec and Paddy Finnegan.

However, it was Team Brady’s Little Chief who proved different class under a motionless Cromwell to win by six lengths. Little Chief will take some stopping in his quest for another Dingle victory in August.

Jake completed the first treble of his career when All Bets Are Off put up a convincing performance to land the 14.2hh contest over the consistent Wee Bucks.

A former top performer for Maurice Ahern, All Bets Are Off looks sure to give the Cromwell team plenty of fun in the weeks ahead.