Skibbereen races were well organised and the committee was extremely active throughout. Moving the course down the road a bit may have compressed
the crowd a bit but it also afforded a much longer view of the homestraight. No big surprises in the finishes; best one was Grade D. Noreen McSweeney
and Tim O'Leary both bagged a brace. The big contingent of Dubs contributed a welcome bit of atmosphere. The day also brought the retirement of Casey
B, and much more about this popular local-bred soon.
Grade A (Tim 'Cooper' Kelleher Memorial Cup) - 1. Shanahan/Whelton/Hayes's Driven Storm (Noreen McSweeney), 2/5 fav; 2. J. Burchill/D.
O'Donoghue's The Blue Fox (J. McSweeney), 2/1; 3. Deasy/Hurley/Keohane's Newtown Commander (T. O'Leary), 4/1. 5 ran, 10l, 3l.
The Blue Fox was first to show but it wasn't long before Desert Storm took it up and was never in any danger thereafter. The Fox ran his best race so far
this season.
Grade B (Jack Pat Collins Memorial Cup) - 1. Margie McSweeney's Home At Last (J. McSweeney), 1/2 fav; 2. D. Ross's Cult Direct (D.
McCarthy),2/1; 3. Connonagh Racing Club's Mack's Direct (M. Duggan), 6/4. 5 ran, 1 1/2l, 5l. NR: Mister Hill
Frisco Lady was in charge until after the last turn, when she slipped up. Home At Last took over and had enough to do to hold Cult Direct who was taking
a drop in class.
Grade C (Paddy Kane Memorial Cup) - 1. J. Shanahan's Hilton Genius (Noreen McSweeney), 2/5 fav; 2. M. Brickley's Goldfella (D. McCarthy), 3/1; 3.
M. & P. O'Brien's Commander Matt (P. O'Brien), 6/1. 6 ran, 7l, 2l.
No prizes for predicting this one. Commander Matt led as they headed out for the second turn. Hilton Genius gave a couple of skips after the first turn, but
rallied and had the race sewn up as they came into view on the long run-in. Goldfella had also dropped a grade and although he raced well was no match
for the winner. But then, who is?
Grade D (Pat Hurley Memorial Cup) - 1. T. Doyle's Kelly's Hero (T. O'Leary), 5/2; 2. D. Hourigan's Talavary Jet (A. Sweeney), 1/1 fav; 3. J.
O'Callaghan's Lee Dale Star (J. Sheehy), 4/1. 7 ran, 2l, 3l. NR: Blatantly Pride
Kelly's Hero led from the start. Biggest threat throughout most was Lee Dale Star while Talavary Jet may have left his challenge too late.
Novice & E (Jerome O'Sullivan Memorial Shield) - 1. Shanley Racing's Perfect Red (T. O'Leary), 1/2 fav; 2. B. Newman's Swift Harrier (D. McCarthy),
2/1; 3. Caroline McGrath's Posh Paddy (Noreen McSweeney), 4/1. 6 ran, 4l, 3l. NR: Cam Rayger
Posh Paddy led them off with Swift Harrier in close touch. Coming into view, Harrier was in front. But Perfect Red was in close pursuit and in a few strides,
settled the issue.