Manch. August 31st 2008.

• Some good racing here, on Association Day -- and the association went to a lot of trouble to put on a good show. The crowd wasn't huge but there was a good atmosphere. Needless to say, it would have been better if the Rebels had beaten the Kingdom. Jason Kane's commentary, as usual, added to the day.

• Maidens, Div. 1 - G. Carey's Shane's Baby (Owner), 5/2; 2. High Street Syndicate's Tim's Surprise (T. O'Leary), 3/1; 3. J. Caffrey's Chesney (Owner), 4/6 fav. 4th, Nice Guy Tom, 5/1 5 ran, 8l, 2l. 2m.43secs NR Moorside Chico, Cam City
• Tim's Surprise led for most and looked a double handful. Chesney looked a threat but broke heading for the second-last bend. Shane had been on the rail and really went when the driver said go. I'd give stable room to this one.

• Maidens, Div. 2 - 1. D. Behan's Talavary Dream (J. Caffrey), 1/1 fav; 2. S. Jennings/M. Herlihy's Oakwood Diamond (K. Sheehy), 3/1; 3. M. Goggin's Mr. Chapman (Owner), 6/4. 4th, Supreme Hall, 3/1. 8 ran, nk, 7l. 2m.47secs
• Chapman led them off and Dream kept in close touch. Supreme Hall challenged early but had to give best. Diamond took it up as they settled into the last lap and stayed there until Dream, creeping closer, began his final challenge. A good one for Dream, as he has been so close on recent occasions.

• Novice - 1. N. Cowden's Jono's Bianca (R. Cleary), 6/4; 2. W. McKitterick's Marion Hall (Owner), 4/1; 3. N. Forbes's Gwyneth's Pride (J. McSweeney), 6/1.4th, Sands Cool Touch, 3/1. 9 ran, 3l, 1L. 2m.48secs
• City Shock was first to show. Teadies Best took it up but lost gait and never really got back into the hunt, as he went off stride again a little later. About half-way around the last, Bianca went to the front, while Sands got close. Marion left her challenge late as did Pride.

• Improver/Intermediate - 1. W. McInerney's Calm Louis (Owner), 5/4; 2. A. Hamilton's Matty O (Owner), 4/6 fav; 3. A. Malone's Seeking The Gold (Owner), 3/1. 4th, Ringo Star, 4/1. 7 ran, 3l, 7l. 2m.42secs. NR: Lakeside Banker
• Ringo Star was first away, with Watch Me Now Boys in close pursuit. Matty soon gave chase. Around halfway, The Buachaill was close. Two from home, Matty was in front, and Gold also was prominent, behind Ringo Star. Louis took his time and easily overhauled Matty on the straight.

• Class 000/005 - 1. J. Shanahan's Lakeview Lobell (Owner), 4/1; 2. P. Hayes's Spanko's Boy (P. O'Driscoll), 9/4; 3. M. & P. Hennessy's Little Spike (J. McSweeney), 9/4. 4th, Crown Direct, 8 ran, 1 1/2l, 1L. 2m.44secs
• Lobell took charge at flagfall, when the rain started. It seems Lyons General broke his headcheck at the start but went to the front as they settled into the first circuit. He stayed there until the closing stages. Spike challenged strongly with Lobell happy to fall back and leave them at it. General broke at the critical stage and Lobell arrived to take it up, while Spanko's Boy seemed to come out of nowhere.

• Four-Year-Old Sire Stakes - 1. J. Shanahan's Lakeview Security (Owner), 4/6 fav; 2. G. Carey's The Biscuit (Owner), 6/4; 3. Deirdre Hill's Sea Wave (D. Cremin), 6/1. 4th, Mr. Security, 4/1. 5 ran, 1/2l, 12l. 2m.44secs
• Security made almost all the running. He was briefly headed by Mr. Security but soon resumed command. Biscuit got going and a bit of a ding-dong ensued but the winner had just that bit extra on the day.

• Class 007/015 - 1. M. McDonald's Ayr Storm (K. Sheehy), 4/1; 2. Caroline Salter's Disraeli Quest (A. Hamilton), 6/4; 3. C. Morrison's Rockaround (B. Roche), 5/2. 4th, Cult Direct, 3/1. 9 ran, 5l, 1L. 2m.44secs
• A tricky contest which at any stage could have been won by anyone. Storm was first to show but Brwyins Charvis then went clear. Heading for the last bend on the first circuit, Stoneriggs Quail forged clear. I'm For Real got close as did Bad Girl Hall. On the backstraight for the last time, Storm was in front and was followed by Quest. Bad Girl was still in contention but Rock and Cult were the ones to emerge from the pack in the closing stages.

• Class 016/027 - 1. R. Cleary's I'm Just Like Mum (Owner), 1/1 fav; 2. Quill Bros's Sable Decision (G. Carey), 7/1; 3. J. Delaney's Mister Hill (K. Sheehy), 4/1. 4th, Rippling Scooter, 7/2. 9 ran, 5l, 1L. 2m.46secs
• No prizes for guessing the winner here. Magical Sole was prominent early on, and later, Shotgun Willy looked a danger. But when Mum got going, she settled the issue in a few strides, while, not usually, Sable exerted herself in time to take runner-up.

• Preferred Handicap - 1. Breda Shanahan's Dream's Place (J. Shanahan), 3/1; 2. Dunmanway Racing Club's Springfield Chief (J. McSweeney), 4/1; 3. Dunmanway Racing Club's Sharpe (Noreen McSweeney), 6/1. 4th, Papa Joe, 4/1.8 ran, 1/2l, 1l. 2m.45secs NR: Home Ambrose. (Flashdance (M. Goggin), 4/5 fav. passed the post first but was disq.)
• A sort of a messy race. Papa Joe broke on the first corner after the start and Lyons Joseph may have also lost gait here. Chief was unscathed and took charge. Zidane was in close pursuit, while Sharpe also looked poised to strike a telling blow. Heading for the second-last bend on the final circuit, Flashdance emerged and it was here that the judges deemed that he had hampered Sharpe. Dream came late, but wasn't in time to catch Flash.