Old Chapel. February 22nd 2009.

A good day's racing. Beautiful weather, and a very good organising committee, which provided its usual refreshments to all after the races. There were a couple of surprises in the results, but Old Chapel always provides these. The only depressing note was the news that Magical Mancini is probably off for the year. After Frisco Titan's performance, we were all looking forward to a meeting between him and the reigning champ, but it looks like it is not to be. Congrats to Noreen McSweeney on "jockey of the day" and to Ebony Jane for "best-turned-out.

• Grade A (John D. Crowley Memorial Cup) - 1. T. Doyle's Kelly's Hero (Noreen McSweeney), 6/1; 2. C. Galvin's Hilltop Tuck (Emma Kane), 5/1; 3. Shanley Racing's Magical Mancini (T. O'Leary), 1/3 fav. 5 ran, 3l, 2l. 4th Desert Storm, 5/1.3m.50secs
• Hero lived up to his name. He was first away, and engaged in a ding-dong with Driven Storm who seemed to have given up his tendency to lose gait. Unfortunately, he broke stride at the last turn. Hero showed true battling qualities and should now have more support in the All-Ireland. Tuck came late for second, while Mancini never seemed to really fire. The 20yds handicap should have been nothing to him.

• Grade B (Brian Wilson Cup)m - 1. S. O'Reilly/K. Santry's Frisco Titan (J. McSweeney), 4/5 fav; 2. C. Hannan's Oakview Flash (Deirdre Goggin), 6/1; 3. J. Shanahan's Hilton Genius (M. O'Reilly), 5/2. 7 ran, 8l, hd. 4th, Dragon's Glory, 4/1. NR: CD's Boy. 3m.49secs
• Flash led until the last turn. Titan lay handy until after rounding the last turn. Then he turned on the dazzle, only to be expected from a COG winner and a former All-Ireland harness champion. An over-used word, awesome, but that's what he was.

• Grade C (Mick Twomey & Donie Barry Memorial Cup) - 1. A. Hamilton's Matty O (Noreen McSweeney), 1/1 fav; 2. J. McCarthy's Bytheway (Deirdre Goggin), 5/2; 3. Rossway Racing's Mack's Direct (M. O'Reilly), 4/1. 10 ran, 1 1/2l, 8l. 4th, Glenarn Harrier, 6/4. 2m.02secs
• Matty behaved himself this time and led from the start. I thought Bytheway ran very well and another contest between this pair is something to look forward to.

• Grade D (Noel Ryan Trophy) - 1. Deasy/Hurley/Twomey's On The Run (J. McSweeney), 1/1; 2. A. Hamilton's Ebony Jane (Noreen McSweeney), 4/5 fav; 3. L. O'Brien's Emperor Factor (J. Sheehy), 4/1. 4 ran, 8l, 6l. 4th, Commander Matt, 4/12m.01secs
• Run took over as they settled. Can I use the word "awesome" again?

• Grade E (Paddy Desmond & Jerry O'Mahony Cup) - 1. G. & J. O'Sullivan's Yvonne's Princess (M. Fleming), 6/1; 2. J. Shanahan's Lakeview Security (M. O'Reilly), 2/1; 3. J. Daly's Celtic Cam (Deirdre Goggin), 8/1. 8 ran, 3l, 6l. 4th, The Biscuit, 4/5 fav. 2m.00secs
• Hillside Dream was first to show but was unsettled. Around half-way, Princess took it up. Security seemed to get going late, and Biscuit never looked a threat. Princess deserved this win, as surely did her jockey.

• Novice (Deceased Members' Cup) - 1. J. O'Donovan's Cam Andy (Owner), 6/1; 2. J. Hurley's Hilton Sprinter (M. O'Reilly), 4/5 fav; 3. S. O'Reilly's Mack's Fash (J. McSweeney), 5/2. 4 ran, nk, 10l. 4th, I'm Perfect, 4/1. 2m.02secs
• Andy led from the start but was nearly caught on the line by Hilton Sprinter.