THE name John Richardson is always prominent in reports from harness venues. It’s a rare meeting where he doesn’t score at least one winner. ‘JR’ was in buoyant form having received the national driver’s title at the IHRA AGM last Sunday and spoke in his matter-of-fact way about both pacer and trotter.

Down in tranquil Baltimore, although there’s nothing too tranquil about the horses from Innisbeg Stables when they come up as far as Dublin and beyond, trainer Tadhg Murphy and the slightly broader Donal as main driver, have become a leading force in Ireland and Britain despite the punishing journey time to the big meets. A well-heeled US owner does no harm either.