Carbery Show, Skibbereen, July 16th 2009

These were good enough races, with the jockeys showing sense and caution on the sticky course. Two horses were co-opted out of Grade B to join C & D, which was divided, as eight runners, under the conditions, were deemed too many in one race. There were no layers in attendance. Nice to see that most of the big crowd at the show stayed to watch the races.

• Novice & E - 1. J. Shanahan/A. Hayes's Lakeview Lobell (P. Shanahan); 2. C. O'Leary's The Buachaill (M. Goggin jnr); 3. S. Crowley's One Cool Dude (Noreen McSweeney). 5 ran, 8l, 7l. 4th, Hillside Hi-Ho. AR: Ship's Cruiser
• Ship's Cruiser held the call until about halfway, when a problem with his saddle caused him to pull up. Buachaill then took it up but Lobell appeared to settle the issue just before the last circuit.

• Grade B, C & D - 1. F. Hurley/T. O'Reilly's Calm Louis (Noreen McSweeney); 2. D. Ross's CP's Fantasy (P. Shanahan); 3. L. O'Regan's Brywins Charvis (Emma Kane). 5 ran, 10l, 2l. 4th, Mr. Dow Jones. AR:Newtown Perdition
• Charvis set a fast early pace, stalked by Louis. The winner always looked at ease and when given the office, cruised to the front. CP was always in touch.

• Grade C & D - 1. C. O'Sullivan's Travis (S. Quill); 2. M. Hurley's Free Spirit (Caroline O'Sullivan); 3. M. Williamson's Oakwood Regal (P. Shanahan). 5 ran, 2l, 8l. 4th, Coalford Shooter. AR: Safely Arrived
• Safely Arrived led in the early stages, but lost gait and was unsettled thereafter. Spirit then led briefly but Travis took charge halfway around the second (of five) circuits.

• Grade A & B - 1. Kelleher Bros/J. Power's Flashdance (Lucy Kelleher); 2. B. Newman's Casimir Fabio (Emma Kane); 3. A. Hamilton's Matty O (J. O'Callaghan). 5 ran, 8l, 2l. 4th, Destiny's Dream. AR: Shotgun Willy
• Shotgun Willy was quick away. Fabio challenged getting into the first lap but went badly off stride. Matty then loomed and took command. He stayed in front while Flash cruised in third behind Willy. With about one and a half laps to go, Flash forged clear. Fabio did well to get back in the hunt but there was no catching of the winner by him or anyone else.