Ownahincha. St Patrick's Day. 17th March 2009.

Ownahincha. St Patrick's Day. 17th March 2009.

There can hardly be a more spectacular setting for a road meeting. The sun shone and there was a good atmosphere. Well done on their doubles to Tim O'Leary and John McSweeney; and to John Healy for doubling up on his Colomane victory. Congrats to Paul Forbes who broke his duck, and commiserations to Noreen McSweeney on her mishap. Hope you are back in action on Sunday. Nice, too, to see those blue chevrons of Micheal Duggan again.

Grade A (Paddy Connolly Memorial Cup) - 1. Cahirtown Racing's Dilly's Dragon (J. McSweeney), 1/2 fav; 2. Shanahan/Whelton/Hayes's Driven Storm (T. O'Leary), 5/1; 3. C. Hannan's Oakview Flash (Deirdre Goggin), 3/1. 5 ran, hd, 3l. 4th, Home Ambrose, 8/1
This was a good race. Storm led them off, with Dilly in close pursuit. Ambrose kept in touch. Dilly did not seem able to get on terms in the closing stages but one last effort just at the line got his head in front. Flash came late (Flash and Ambrose are Grade B horses promoted for the day) while Kelly's Hero never got in the hunt.

Grade B (John Harrington Memorial Cup) - 1. J. Shanahan's Hilton Genius (T. O'Leary), 2/5 fav; 2. H. Bennett's Magical Sole (M. Duggan), 4/1; 3. D. Hourigan's CD's Boy (Emma Kane), 6/1. 6 ran, nk, 3l. 4th, Mack's Direct, 6/1. NR Joe Moorsley. Note: Oakview Flash and Home Ambrose were balloted up to Grade A on the day.
Another good race in which Genius ran very tough. Boy took it up from Slipalongtravascus after the first turn. Sole was well placed but did not turn the last very fluently. Went well to get as close as he did. One to watch, as is Slip, who will do better next time.

Grade C (Fachtna McCarthy Memorial Cup) - 1. Dunmanway Racing Club's CP's Fantasy (J. Healy), 2/1; 2. B. Newman's Swift Harrier (Deirdre Goggin), 8/1; 3. P. O'Driscoll's Vyrnwy David (J. McSweeny), 4/5 fav. 6 ran, 2l, 4l. 4th, Glenarn Harrier, 4/1. NR On The Run
Frisco Lady was prominent early one but Harrier took over after the first turn. After the second turn, David was in charge and looked good. But Fantasy got going on the straight, saw off David, and held off Harrier who got back in the fray.

Grade D (Willie Forde Memorial Cup) - 1. Mary Forbes/Noreen McSweeney's The Punisher (P. Forbes), 8/1; 2. A. Hamilton's Ebony Jane (Deirdre Goggin), 4/5 fav; 3. P. Hill's Hillside Dream (Emma Kane), 8/1. 9 ran, 6l, 4l. Do The Business, 8/1. NR Emperor Factor
The Blue Finch and Commander Matt battled it out in the early stages. Lakeview Security was pulled up after the first turn. Matt was in commend, following by Punisher, as they headed out for the last, and came ouf of that in front. Jane was trailing for most but made a lot of headway on the run-in. She left herself too much today, while Dream, who had been briefly in second, just managed third.

Grade E (Michael Pat Hurley Memorial Cup) - 1. D. Shanahan's Cam's Lily (T. O'Leary), 2/5 fav; 2. P. Hayes's Watch Me Now Boys (J. McSweeney), 2/1; J. Daly's Celtic Cam (Deirdre Goggin), 3/1. 4 ran, 5l, 10l. 4th, Superman
Lily showed her class in this, and justified her s.p. She looked a picture, too. Watch will strip fitter for this.

Novice (Jim Gorman Memorial Cup) - 1. K. O'Connell's Hurricane Henry (J. McSweeney), 6/4; 2. S. O'Reilly's Mack's Flash (M. Fleming), 4/1; 3. J. O'Brien's Peterstone Coyote (P. O'Brien), 4/1. 5 ran, 7l, 8l. 4th, I'm Perfect, 3/1. NR: Brown Dust, Cam Andy, One Cool Dude, Supreme Hall
This was a re-run, over a shorter distance. A mishap heading for the last caused a jockey to be unseated, in the first running. They actually finished the race, with Supreme Hall very comfortable in front. Favourite, Lakeside Stallone, was in front until the first turn, where he may have lost gait. Flash led them out of that, followed by Henry, who soon prevailed.