Drimoleague. December 26th 2008.

Good racing, with well-filled cards and some close finishes. Just what we want. Congrats to Tim O'Leary on his double; to the ladies for winning three races, which leaves the other one to Mathew O'Reilly. All his friends will be relieved to hear that Niall Forbes was not seriously injured in his spill and we all hope to see him back in action soon.

• Grade A (Tommy McCarthy Memorial Cup) - 1. Shanley Racing's Magical Mancini (T. O'Leary), 1/2 fav; 2. J. Shanahan's Hilton Genius (M. O'Reilly), 6/4; 3. D. Hourigan's CD's Boy (Emma Kane), 8/1. 4 ran, 6l, 2l. 4th Coalford James (Deirdre Goggin), 3/1.
• This was a re-run, as Briwyn's Black Scoot slipped up shortly after the first turn and the race was called off after halfway. CD's Boy and Hilton Genius had been balloted in from Grade B. Kouros Boy was a non-runner. The re-run was held over a mile and Mancini led from the start and won going away. NB Scoot appeared unscathed from his fall and his rider suffered only cuts, bruises, etc.

• Grade B (Pat Joe Daly Memorial Cup) - 1. Patricia Carey's Destiny's Dream (M. O'Reilly), 1/2 fav; 2. T. Doyle's Kelly's Hero (Noreen McSweeney), 4/1; 3. W.J. Cooke's Meadowbranch Jake (Deirdre Goggin), 6/1. 6 ran, 1l, nk. 4th Joe Moorsley (P. O'Brien), 6/1.
• Joe led for a bit but heading for halfway Joseph was in charge and looked impressive. Kelly was in second behind him after that turn. Heading for home, Kelly was in front with Jake in strong pursuit, while Joseph faded. Dream, never far off, came with a promising late run in the closing stages.

• Grade C - 1. J. McCarthy's Bytheway (Deirdre Goggin), 4/1; 2. Rossway Racing's Mack's Direct (M. O'Reilly), 4/5 fav; 3. W.J. Cooke's Just For Joe (Noreen McSweeney), 2/1. 7 ran, hd, nk. 4th D. Hendrick's Goldfellasa (Emma Kane), 3/1.
• Do The Business held sway early on. The Punisher then took it up. On the run-in, Mack and Bytheway battled it out with Joe determined to play a hand in the finish. None of them gave up until the line was crossed.

• Grade D - 1. Shanley Racing's Perfect Red (T. O'Leary), 1/1 fav; 2. J. O'Callaghan's Lee Dale Star (J. Sheehy), 6/1; 3. J. Hurley/G. McCarthy's Duggan's Diplomat (Deirdre Goggin), 6/1. 9 ran, 5l, hd. 4th Swift Harrier (M. O'Reilly), 2/1
• Commander Matt led them out of the first turn, with Star close behind. Into view after the second and last turn, Red was in front. Diplomat fought hard to the post but had to give best to Star.

• Grade E - 1. P. Hill's Hillside Dream (Emma Kane), 1/1; 2. M & P Hennessy's Little Spike (M. O'Reilly), 4/5 fav; 3. Margie McSweeney's Pure Mule (J. McSweeney), 4/1. 6 ran, 4l, 8l. 4th Cam Rayger (T. O'Leary), 3/1.
• Pure Mule led until the stretch. Dream was waited with and only went to work at the business end.

• Novice (Donal McCarthy Memorial Cup) - 1. G. Carey's The Biscuit (Noreen McSweeney), 4/5 fav; 2. D. Shanahan's Cam's Lily (T. O'Leary), 1/1; 3. N. Forbes's Silver Cam (Owner), 6/1. 9 ran, 6l, 10l. 4th Cam Andy (J. O'Donovan), 6/1.
• Lily took command as they settled. Biscuit was always close and getting serious, turned the tables on Lily this time.