MARK Kane and Neville Martin’s rich vein of form continued at Portmarnock last Sunday. The long-standing combination scored a double on the day with the three-year-old filly Meadowbranch Aine and the five-year-old mare Oakwood Cosmo.

Rathcoole man Wayne McNevin had an owner’s double as he pays the bills for both IB Notorious and Geribia De Laval. Wayne drove the pacer himself and delegated the job with the trotter to the experienced Donal Murphy.

The racing was of reasonable quality. It would seem the track is running a bit slower this season, for example several of the heats at York’s opening meeting on Saturday broke 1.59 but then the Green Hammerton track has always been considered a second or two faster than Portmarnock.

On the other hand, the deeper looking gravel at Portmarnock will keep regular runners sound, which can be no bad thing.

Meadowbranch Aine beat a selection of well-bred fillies in the grade G1 pace. The Art Professor filly Letsgettoit (Walter Stewart) tried her heart out but Aine is starting to look a real prospect. Mark Kane only had to chirp at her for a four-length victory in 2.03. The winner is by Lusk-based veteran Kikicolt.

Two races later the same owner and driver visited the winners’ enclosure again. Oakwood Cosmo was missing in action last season but the rest has obviously done no harm.

The favourite Porterstown Roman with Mark’s brother Patrick got hampered at the start which changed the complexion of the race. Roman is to be followed next time out.

Long time helper Mick Patterson, owner/trainer Neville Martin and Mark Kane with Meadowbranch Aine \ Nadina Iroina

The winner’s owner Neville Martin has a long drive from Ederney on the Fermanagh/Donegal border. He looked delighted. Neville wears a jaunty cowboy hat and as a hard working farmer it is for practical reasons, not for fashion.

The Irish Field asked Neville: “What is the secret of your success?” The reply was tongue-in-cheek and was directed at Mark - “The driver!”

It’s nice to be appreciated.

First timer Forget The Rest was a staying on second for Billy Roche, a nice tightener for the upcoming Irish American weekend on June 5th and 6th.

Wayne McNevin’s double opened when the white-faced Geribia De Laval took the Grade F trot with driver Donal Murphy.

Ella Du Fosse (Patrick Kane junior) trotted well in second but the winner won cosily. Murphy did not get a proper feel on the mare’s Irish debut as she got hampered at the start.

At least six of the latest batch of Trotteurs Français have now won in 2021, a good compliment to the selectors.

Under control

Wayne had a struggle to keep IB Notorious under control in the grade F pace. The strong looking son of Hasty Hall even shook off his head pole and it can be hard to get this piece of equipment back onto a heated up horse.

For the second week in a row, IB Notorious pinged the gate and was not caught. The second-placed Meadowbranch Rio (John Richardson) was off the bit a long way from home.

Wayne said: “I wouldn’t say he is as good as IB A Magician, but he keeps improving.” The physical appearance of IB Notorious would suggest that someone is putting long hours into the horse.

The four-year-old trotter Harry Knows looks to be a cooler type. He goes without a head check and also dislodged the head pole while warming up. Patrick Kane jnr elected to go on without it. Harry Knows is so much better then the rest of his age group that the absence of a pole made no difference and he won by six lengths from Hallow Way Road who ran well for Patrick Hill.

For the benefit of non-trotting readers, a ‘head pole’ is a light fibreglass pole which runs from the withers to the noseband. The purpose is to stop horses ‘boring’ in or out. The theory is that a horse cannot give of his best unless running absolutely straight. Some trainers put a pole on nearly every horse, others use them less frequently.

Another candidate

The Corey/Cowden team won Horse of the Year last season with Fairdays Western. Success breeds success and the Glengormley outfit have another candidate for the award in the shape of the lightly-raced five-year-old Double Deuce, at 16hh quite tall for a pacer.

Double Deuce likes to bowl along in front and was too much for the chasing Ladyford Dollar and owner/driver Walter Stewart.

The runner-up was unlucky as he shifted in the hobbles a bit leaving the gate. At this high level you can afford no mistakes.

Driver Jonny Cowden told The Irish Field: “He’s not as good as Fairdays Western yet.”

Given the Coreys’ Midas Touch in recent years, nothing would surprise the Portmarnock crowd.

Charlie Flanagan came in for the first catch drive of her career when she replaced Oisin Quill on King Wills Arrival, although it’s unclear if your boyfriend counts as an ‘outside stable’? Charlie did well on this pacer to run third in a hot-looking heat.

In the apprentice race, Charlie swooped late aboard Binniou Du Beuvron to deprive the gallant Bingo De Connee and Calvin Broughan.

“Did the hectic pace up front worry you Charlie?” was the question. “Not really, I was working to my own fractions.” They don’t mess about in the Meadowbranch outfit. Charlie’s cousin Erin drove Epopee Du Layon to make it a Flanagan 1-3.

Made all

The Meadowbranch number one John Richardson gained his customary winner with the likeable Dusty Jiel. In the C to E handicap JR led out and made all with the eight-year-old with a pair of veterans Urbano De Selles and Christy ‘Hopper’ Foran a good nine lengths back in second.

Commentator James Griffin observed that the fifth-placed Aubade à Helene ‘ran a blinder off 40 yards’. Aubade à Helene at full stretch is one of the finest sights in Irish trotting. She reaches for the ground like a greyhound. The mare is owned and driven by Patrick Hill of Leap.

‘’He’s a nice horse and I think he can improve some more”, was the comment of the multiple champion about Dusty Jiel.

Speaking of championships, Patrick Kane jnr continues to stay four clear but it’s a long old slog until November.

The Cork season opens today at Dunmanway while Annaghmore, Co Armagh stages a card tomorrow. The IHRA hope to loosen their procedure as soon as the government allows but for now meetings are ‘connections only’.

Replays with a few minutes delay can be viewed on IHRA Facebook page.

THE traditional first big meeting in England falls this weekend also, Appleby-in-Westmoreland.

The meeting has chocolate box scenery, and the field is a natural amphitheatre. Few, if any, Irish horses will make the trip in the current situation.

Results, racecards and information about the Irish American Weekend on June 5th and 6th is available at www.irishharnessracing.com