IT was very much the calm before the storm at Portmarnock on Sunday 6th August, with the season just about to go into overdrive. Across Dublin, West Cork and West Wales, the next three weekends will see the birth of some stars and, of course, a few bubbles burst.

In the meantime, Team Dunne continues to run amok at the North Dublin venue.

Jonny Dunne told The Irish Field in the close season that 2017 would be Porterstown Road’s last year at the races. The Webster’s US-bred eight-year-old has been sparingly campaigned throughout his career by Geoff Dunne. It’s a testimony to the horsemanship in the Kill yard that the gelding looks as sound and fresh now as when he first came on the scene five years ago.

On Sunday, the Meadowbranch yard was doubly represented. Number two driver Noely Ryan made the pace with Lyons Nant Hall. Their main hope, Bath Lane moved to challenge at the half. At this point Jonny Dunne “jumped on Richardson’s back”, as the Americans term it. Bath Lane battled gamely as usual, but the favourite (4/6 to 1/2) never looked like being beaten.

When you have studied under Brenda Hudson and gleaned tips off Christy Dunne, you have had a great start in the harness racing game.

The crowd at Portmarnock love to see a young driver get his first lifetime win. Jack Killeen (who benefitted from those excellent mentors) and Verdi De Crouay were only just touched off by the Omeath pairing of Martin Loughran and Bravoure De Mai the previous week.

This time around the young man in the purple and grey managed to hold on for a popular victory. “There’s no feeling like this,” was Jack’s first reaction to a winner.

Sean Kane had a trotting double on the card, both winners being ‘E reg’, that is to say three-year-olds. Etoile Quick saw off JJ Mc Leod’s Epice De La Goutte. Two races later Kane was gaining on long-time leader El Tejar (A Wallace snr) when the latter jumped it off. A slipped knee-boot was reported by connections on Sunday evening, they will be looking forward to a rematch.

RETURN TO FORM

The Newtown yard returned to form recently and the good run continued at this meeting. Newtown Shadow was the subject of some good ante-post support for next weekend’s Delaney colts’ division during the week.

The money was from an educated source as the two-year-old (20s last week) was cut from 9/2 to 4/1 following a convincing win over fellow freshman One Cool Touch. A time of 2.05.7 would not win a VDM, but Alan Wallace had more in the locker.

In the closer, Ultimo d’Ouville, who rarely runs a bad race, captured stable companion Athlete Royal in the home stretch. Billy Roche drove the Wallace second string as his usual pilot, Alan junior, was unwell. Athlete Royal gave Roche a good thrill, and lost nothing in defeat. Umbratica (JR), the punter’s choice in the mile and a quarter contest, could only manage third.

The meeting was one of those rare occasions when the Flanagan/John Richardson axis failed to score. The Ballyboughal outfit will need to be on the top of their toe come the VDM.

Two of the smaller yards got on the score sheet on the day. In the Grade F pace, Lee Kelly bounced out briskly with his own Saunders Cameron, and was never headed. “He has always been good, but he’s fragile,” was the post-race comment.

Two Score looks to be far from fragile.

For the second week in succession Dubliner Ray Sheridan gave the son of JWs Best a forceful drive as they took the D and E pace. The ever-game President ran second for owner/trainer/driver Shane Howard.

Buster Gilligan and Aram had to survive a stewards’ enquiry before being announced as the winners of the D and E Trot.

WEEKEND ACTION

Racing will probably commence earlier than usual on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th as a bumper card of at least 12 races is anticipated both days. If you have never been trotting before, come along as every race will be hard fought to the line with a screaming crowd and an atmosphere you cannot bottle. Cheer on the home team against the best that England, Scotland and Wales can muster.

Leading US driver Dan Noble (33) has at least eight drives booked over the two days. With 4700 career victories ($25 million in purses) nerves should not be an issue.

The Portmarnock track is on the main Balgriffin to Malahide road. Find St Olaves Chapel and turn in. The raceway is 1km away at this point.

See below left for some insight from the dashing Kane brothers and some tips from the man the bookies love to hate – The Watcher.