Lyre, Sunday

DONAL Murphy from Baltimore was the man to follow as he drove a first and last race double at Lyre on Sunday. All the races were over a mile which produced some fantastic finishes.

Murphy kicked off his brace of winners with Homa in the Grade F to G trot. The pair led from the start and were six lengths in front at the finish from the well supported Eddy Marceaux in second.

The winner is trained by Tadhg Murphy, a brother of the winning driver. Murphy completed his day when IB Paddington was a surprise winner in the grade D to E pace.

Teddy Camden was installed favourite despite carrying a fifty yard handicap. IB Paddington was quickly away from the gate and was joined by Get Me Out Of Here for the opening lap.

Heading out on the last lap the cavalry were beginning to close and turning for home IB Paddington was joined by Teddy Camden and Blue Showdown but he dug deep to hold on for a short head victory with Blue Showdown a neck back in third.

Ceiron Jack made a winning debut for new owners Harry and Mary Bennett from Dunmanway.

This five year old son of Doonbeg was sent to the front by Luke Kelleher who set all the right fractions and despite a late challenge from Yankee George he was not for catching and had a length and a half to spare at the finish.

“I think he could be a nice horse for next year but we’ll give him another run next week at the George Deane Meeting”, Bennett commented after racing.

There was a popular winner in the Grade G pace in the shape of Christy Brown who is owned by Ballydehob owner Liam O’Brien.

Mike O’Mahony set the early fractions on the winner and was tracked by Pan Cam Dynasty and Steams Of Whiskey. The field concertinaed in the final quarter but Christy Brown was not for catching and ran out a three length winner.

Conor Hurley from Reenascreena trains this son of Pro Bono Best “This is only his third race and he has been showing us plenty at home. We will give him another run and let him off after that” was Hurley’s comment.

The “the Big Three” met again in the top grade trot. Fina Mix was on a thirty yard handicap with Comete Des Landes and Duc D’Arry on a fifty yard trail.

Cakinap and Bibi Dairpet were the early leaders but Fina Mix took up the running after the opening quarter of a mile.

Cometes Des Landes and Duc d’Arry were eating into the handicap but the winner had enough in hand to win by two lengths from Bibi Dairpet with Destin De Larre a half a length back in third. To be fair the handicapper got it spot on with the field finishing in a bunch.