THE paintwork on those beautiful American and Finnish sulkies could come in for a few scratch marks this weekend as the tight knit ‘driver colony’ at Portmarnock jostle for the all-important position on that first bend.

Nearly 80 horses, a seven-race card and a six-race card, the time for qualifiers and quiet runs is over, this is a full-on meeting.

The late Bernie would have been buzzing about in all aspects, making sure horses’ papers were in order, that rosettes and trophies were in the allotted place. Hopefully, the weekend will be a fitting tribute to the Delvin resident.

The IHRA kindly made the entries available to The Irish Field during the week, although it should be stressed that the post positions were not confirmed at time of writing.

The feature of day one will be the Bernie Kelly Pace. The top 10 pacers entered go over two heats of five. Gavin Murdock’s horses looked in rude health at Annaghmore last weekend.

The Market man told us in the closed season that Oakwood Cowboy was the best he has sat behind and that he felt All Bets Are Off can beat the males.

Racegoers will be wondering does Ciaran Morrison, now home from Canada, come in for a catch drive?

Llwyns Delight won cleverly on seasonal reappearance. IB A Magician looks to be back to his best. Stakes On The Pan was campaigned like a boxing promoter trying to protect his protégé last season, the Kanes were shrewd in the way they placed him.

Ciaran Morrison’s only problem in the qualifier last weekend was getting Oakwood Cowboy pulled up and he is taken to come of age.

On day two the trotters race for the Bernie Kelly Trot. Bernie was involved in the initial talks with LeTROT.

The entries would suggest that the few trotters that Billy Roche has raced at the early meetings were ‘selling platers’ while Gambia des Tithais and Devoir Math might be ‘listed class’. Old proverb says, ‘beware Roche runners first time out’.

Comet des Landes picked up several high-profile races last year and the Thomond O’Mara/John Madigan owned mare may have needed the run last time out.

The Meadowbranch Stud have three entered. Colombia d’Oysse skipped the little meeting at Annaghmore last weekend but looked to be taking a nice hold in a workout.

Comete des Landes is the selection to keep up the owners’ dream start to trotting. Colombia d’Oysse and Cartouche Jemiska will also be on the premises.

Elsewhere on the card is the exciting prospect of the leading three-year-old of 2021, Immaculata taking on seven of her contemporaries. She came to hand very quickly last season whereas the rest were like gangly teenagers.

Inspire Me from the Kelleher yard of Macs Legend fame might upset Immaculata who will be favourite.

Harry Knows, unbeaten at four, pits the best of the Trotteurs Français foaled in Ireland against those brought in as made horses.

Buliano and Crazy By Noce might have too much ringcraft for the young challenger. Meadowbranch Aine looks a good thing in the Grade F pace on day two.