Skibbereen. 25th January 2009.

First of all, well done to the Skibbereen committee on its organisation, the set-up with parking, etc. The day stayed dry and there was a good atmosphere. Nice to see all our Dub friends. Good racing - we saw a super star, a star of the future, and one who may be finding his true form. Congrats to John McSweeney on his treble and to Derry McCarthy, back in the winner's circle where he belongs. The ladies did not do so well this time but they will, undoubtedly, turn the tables at Goleen.

• Grade A (Tim "Cooper" Kelleher Memorial Cup) - 1. Shanley Racing's Magical Mancini (T. O'Leary), 1/2 fav; 2. Breda Shanahan's Dream's Place (M. O'Reilly), 6/4; 3. T. O'Reilly's Coalford James (Deirdre Goggin), 6/1. 5 ran, 10l, 12l. Meadowbranch Jake (J. McSweeney), 10/1, 4th
• Mancini showed who was boss in no uncertain terms. Slightly different tactics here, but when they got serious, the winner showed his superiority, making it eleven unbeaten starts. Interesting to see what difference, if any, the upcoming handicap will make.

• Grade B (Jack Pat Collins Memorial Cup) - 1. Cahirtown Racing's Dilly's Dragon (J. McSweeney), 5/1; 2. T. Doyle's Kelly's Hero (Noreen McSweeney), 4/1; 3. J. Shanahan's Hilton Genius (M. O'Reilly), 1/2 fav. 7 ran, 8l, 2l. Coalford Samuel (Deirdre Goggin), 4/1, 4th
• Dragon led from the start -- looking a different horse from the "don't want to know" one in Durrus. CP's Fantasy was well up with them but made a mess of the turn at half-way and was pulled up. Kelly was in second throughout most, yielding, I think, briefly to Samuel. Genius was slow enough to get going, but, still, the way Dragon was going today, there was only going to be one winner.

• Grade C (Paddy Kane Memorial Cup) - 1. J. Burchill/D. O'Donoghue's Glenarn Harrier (J. McSweeney), 1/2 fav; 2. J. Manning's Goldfella (Deirdre Goggin), 5/1; 3. Rossway Racing's Mack's Direct (M. O'Reilly), 2/1. 8 ran, 3l, 1L. Just For Joe (Noreen McSweeney), 4/1, 4th
• Harrier seemed to like road racing and did nothing wrong. He led from the start, with Do The Business in close pursuit. Mack may have left his challenge late while Goldfella ran his best race for some time.

• Grade D (Gerard Collins Cup) - 1. M. & P. Hennessy's Little Spike (J. McSweeney), 1/2 fav; 2. D. McCarthy's Coalford Shooter (Owner), 4/1; 3. J. O'Callaghan's Leesdale Star (J. Sheehy) 6/1. 7 ran, 10l, 4l. Emperor Factor (Celine O'Brien), 6/1, 4th
• Spike also led from the start. Shooter challenged strongly and was well in touch until the closing stages.

• Grade E (Jerome O'Sullivan Memorial Cup) - 1. J. Shanahan's Lakeview Security (M. O'Reilly), 1/3 fav; 2. D. Shanahan's Cam's Lily (T. O'Leary), 3/1; 3. Margie McSweeney's Pure Mule (J. McSweeney), 5/2. 4 ran, 1/2l, 6l. Celtic Cam (Deirdre Goggin), 6/1, 4th
• Security raced well in this. Mule was first away; Security took over around half-way; Lily was in front on the run-in but Security fought back.

• Novice (Pat Hurley Memorial Cup) - 1. M. Herlihy's Lakeside Stallone (D. McCarthy), 4/1; 2. K. Hurley/K. Santry's Dyno Thunder (J. McSweeney), 3/1; 3. Collette Connolly's Maldini (Noreen McSweeney), 6/1. 6 ran, 6l, 2l. Cam Andy (J. O'Donovan), 4/1, 4th. Lakeview Jock, 1/1 fav.
• Dyno was first away but into view after half-way, it was Stallone who was in front and opened up the distance. Not a bad performance from Maldini.