Central Track. 4th May 2009.

A very good atmosphere here, today. As always, nice to see our Leinster friends. And they didn't mention the rugby once! Good racing that gives some intriguing pointers for the season. Well done to apprentice race winner Emma Kane, who reached first ahead of Mary Kane and Sean Kane. And to Shane Newman who bested Gerard Gilligan and Darren Keegan in their contest.

• Laddie From Leap Saddle Derby (Jimmy & Chrissie O'Sullivan Memorial Cup) - 1. Kelleher Bros/ J. Power's Flashdance (Lucy Kelleher), 5/4; 2. F. Quill's Bon Camotion (S. Quill), 3/1; 3. B. Newman's Casimir Fabio (Emma Kane), 8/1; 4. T. O'Reilly/F. Hurley's Calm Louis (M. O'Reilly), 2/1. 9 ran, 8l, 2l. 2m.35secs Kouros Boy, 1/1 fav. 5th
• Flash always looked secure in this. Kouros Boy broke shortly after the off, while Driven Storm never really settled. When Flash went into action, Fabio was easily routed but ran well nevertheless. Flash just quickened when Bon challenged. I thought that Louis would be closer while Kouros Boy did fine to get back into things.

• Harness Racing

• Maidens, Div. 1 - 1. B. McEntee's Lyons Stephens (P. Kane jnr), 2/5 fav; 2. J. Sheridan's Springhill Partner (K. Morrison), 6/4; 3. P. O'Brien's Peterstone JJ (Owner), 6/1. 7 ran, 2l, 6l. 2m.6secs 4th, Supreme Hall
• I missed this race but would be curious to know what happened to Supreme Hall.

• Maidens, Div 2 - 1. J. Richardson's He Could Be That Chap (J. McSweeney), 1/2 fav; 2. Jenny Brickley's Ringo Kid (F. Brickley), 1/1; 3. P. Kane's Top Security (P. Kane jnr), 3/1. 7 ran, 4l, 1l. 2m.8secs Something Else, 6/1, 4th
• Chap led from the start. Kid looked ominous but could never quite get on terms.

• Maiden/Novice - 1. D. Behan's Talavary Dream (J. Caffrey), 4/1; 2. G. Guigan's Coalford Connection (P. Kane jnr), 6/4; 3. J. Caffrey's Dragomatic (J. Richardson), 4/5 fav. 6 ran, 4l, 1 1/2l. 2m.6secs 4th, Hurricane Henry, 5/1 NR Nana Moon
• Henry led until 2f out when Dream took it up.

• Novice/Improver/Intermediate - 1. B. Newman's Jono''s Bianca (D. Murphy), 4/1; 2. K. Duggan's Really Spring (J. Richardson), 2/5 fav; 3. W. McKittrick's Marion Hall (P. Kane, jnr), 3/1. 8 ran, hd, 4l. 2m.6secs Ringo Star, 5/2 4th. NR: Artist's Control
• Sands Musical led until they approached the three-quarter pole when he yielded to Spring. A close finish in which Bianca just managed to get her head in front on the line.

• Trotters Only - 1. M. Loughran's Officer Broline (M. Loughran), 3/1; 2. G. Kane's Rubin Launcher (K. Sheehy), 2/1; 3. A. Hamilton's Ebony Jane (Owner), 1/1 jf. 5 ran, 2 1/2l, 5l. 2m45secs Zorro Launcher, 3/1, 4th
• Jane led until the backstretch when Officer challenged, and she lost gait. Ruben gave pursuit but the winner was not troubled. Favourite, Collin Trot, was unsettled throughout most.

• Class 000/005 - 1. P. Hayes's Spanko's Boy (J. McSweeney), 5/2; 2. J. O'Donovan's Bonkerstotallynuts (Owner), 6/1; 3. J. Burchill/D. O'Donoghue's Glenarn Harrier (D. Murphy), 6/4. 7 ran, 2l, nk.2m.8secs Lyons General, 1/1 fav; 4th
• Bonkers led until the final few strides. He was chased throughout by General. Harrier made a strong challenge after halfway but had to race wide and retreat. Two from home, Spanko was in third and on the straight, was well placed to do the business.

• Class 009/017 - 1. P. Kane's Hopping Rook (P. Kane, jnr), 4/5 fav; 2. D. Sheridan's Damota's Warrior (K. Morrison), 5/2; 3. M. Brickley's Ayr Strike (Owner), 5/1. 8 ran, 1 1/4l, 4l. 2m.5secs Bytheway, 3/1, 4th
• Rook showed his class in this. Stoneriggs Quail was in charge for most until Warrior took it up at the three-quarter stage. Ayr Strike got closer but so did Rook who went to work on the straight.

• Preferential Free-For-All - 1. S. O'Reilly's Earned Income (Owner), 4/5 fav; 2. D. Hendrick's Swingman (N. Stafford), 5/1; 3. Quill Bros's Stoneriggs Wizard (D. Murphy), 1/1. 8 ran, 3l, 2l. 2m.2secs Shotgun Willy, 4/1, 4th
• Shotgun Willy led them off but Stoneriggs Warrior soon took command. Income went to the front before half-way. He set sail for home, with Willy getting back into things in second. Swingman was moving closer and put in a very good performance to finish closer than you'd think. Wiz arrived late -- he'll be very much a factor this season.