RATHCOOLE-based horseman Wayne McNevin was king of the hill at a chilly Portmarnock last Sunday. Wayne’s main business is in fitting roof space extensions, but he is certainly training horses to a professional standard.

Wayne’s training treble came with two horses bred at Innis Beg island, Baltimore hence the IB prefix and a mare bred by the late Liam Wallace at the Newtown Stud.

Opinion is divided as to the wisdom of the IHRA putting racing on until December.

What is beyond doubt is that one of the smallest crowds of the season produced one of the loudest cheers when the always smiling Leah McNevin drove them to sleep in the grade F pace.

Newtown Alana took a while to learn the racing game but will now go to the paddocks as a winner of six races.

The McNevin treble came with three different drivers. Father Wayne steered IB Notorious himself to beat the in-form Double Deuce in a sharp 2.00.6. Then his 16-year-old daughter Leah won on Newtown Alana.

‘Outsider of four’ doesn’t often come up in free-for-all paces at the venue. The bookies were smiling as Wayne’s childhood friend Ray Sheridan took out the top-grade pace in 1.58.9 aboard IB A Magician.

Form students with good memories should have been on as this horse raced and beat the cream in 2019. Wayne chose to drive Benny Camden himself.

The winner had to survive a steward’s enquiry. There may have been a bit of contact in the race, but IB A Magician deserved his win.

The sport could do with another six Wayne McNevins. His horses are raced frequently, and he does not grumble when two entries end up in the same heat.

Nice type

Also on the card, Blanchardstown-based farrier Anthony Malone looks to have drawn a nice type in LeTROT scheme in the shape of Fantasia Ranaise.

Anthony’s colours match the Dublin GAA kit, and he beat a keen Dublin supporter Calvin Broughan on the ever-dependable Bingo de Connee. The race was an E to G trot.

Champion driver

The Murphys chose to put champion driver elect Patrick Kane jnr on Comete des Landes in the top-grade trot. Donal got a pleasant surprise when second string Duc d’Arry pulled his way to the front late in the race and could not be caught.

The Baltimore yard will have an embarrassment of riches in the early season big prizes next term.

John Richardson will be second in the drivers’ title next week but got a consolation goal when the likeable Epopee du Layon came from the ‘6 hole’ to win the C and D trot.

JR told The Irish Field “she actually has a good turn of foot”. The mare was backed from 6/4 to evens and clocked 2.36.6 for 10 furlongs.

Patrick Kane has dominated the 2021 season and signed off for the day by taking the closer with the improving Porterstown Roman.

With a blacksmith driver and an equine dentist in the family, most niggly problems can be ironed out.

Very few drivers have won 50 races in a season in this country, a feat that Patrick could pull off tomorrow.

The curtain comes down on the season tomorrow (first race 1pm). Results and entries can be seen at www.irishharnessracing.com.

Welcome

The track can be found down the side of Kinsealy Chapel off the R107. Spectators are welcome although social distancing is in place.

A team of Irish drivers will be racing against a French selection in Normandy on Sunday, December 19th and The Irish Field will keep you abreast of all the results.

IHRA National Leading Driver Award 2021

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November 30th

Pat Kane jnr, Trim 49

John Richardson, Dublin 40

Donal Murphy, Baltimore 31

Jonny Cowden, Belfast 29

Sean Kane, The Naul 28

Billy Roche, Dublin 22

Gavin Murdock, Belfast 20