George Deane Memorial held at Dunmanway

In the opening heat (two to qualify from all heats) Cruise Howard took the opening heat in convincing fashion. Driver Timmy O’Leary sent this son of Village Marquis to the front after two furlongs and ran his rivals ragged, eventually coming home an eight length winner from Hillside Dartanian.

The second heat saw the talented, but erratic, Rokocoko hold off in a driving finish from Saunders Paris and Myross Son.

Donal Murphy, a multiple champion driver on the Cork circuit, was seen at his best aboard Comply Or Die in heat three.

Murphy took advantage of the pole position and dictated the pace right from the start and won by four lengths on this son of Hasty Hall for ITHRF secretary Angela Hurley and husband Martin.

Pan Cam Drift was all the rage in the concluding heat and broke badly at the start and despite coming from well off the pace, found Saunders Picasso and IB Maximus too good in a blanket finish. “Picasso” was having his third win on the bounce.

In The final, Cruise Howard was all the rage in the market and took a false step just before the start, but got back on stride and engaged the same tactics as the first heat and was never in danger, winning by five open lengths from IB Maximus.

The winner is owned by Caroline O’Brien and trained at the track by Jeremiah O’Mahony and proved a popular local winner.

Mr Security followed up on last week’s win, taking the top grade handicap. Hail Spartacus set a blistering pace and this seemed to play into the hands of the winner who took it up with three furlongs remaining and won with a little in hand.

Twelve-year-old Sean Twomey rode his first winner under rules in the saddle race. Only four went to post but it was a rip roaring contest where Twomey on Talented Man just held off Meadowbranch Rappos in a driving finish.

Well known US owners Bill Donovan and Joe Sbrocco, who are touring the region were guests on the day and were on hand to present the prizes for Prix De Ballabuidhe Le Trot race.

Tarno Josslyn led from the start and held off Volcan Erem and Une Star Piya in another blanket finish.

The visitors also took time to give an interview regarding Captaintreachious, Artspeak and Maven and gave the locals an insight into racing in the USA. Both expressed their intention to make a return visit.

Springhill Joseph was the punters choice in the Grade G & F and was pushed all the way by newcomer Heather Breeze who impressed on his debut.

A moment of silence was observed on the day for the deceased member’s families of the six students who died in The Berkeley balcony collapse in California, USA.

By Tim Kelleher, for Harnesslink.com

RESULTS

George Deane Memorial Handicap Heat 1

1. Caroline O'Brien CRUISE HOWARD T O'Leary
2. Pete Hill HILLSIDE DARTANIAN Patrick Hill
3. J Boyle SUPREME SUNSHINE Owner

DIST 8l 2l TIME 2.25.5 SP 3/1 6/4 3/1

Heat 2

1. M Duggan ROKOCOKO Owner
2. M Goggin SAUNDERS PARIS Owner
3. McCarthy/ Twomey MYROSS SON M O'Reilly

DIST 1/2l 1/2l TIME 2.29.6 SP 4/1 3/1 EV

Heat 3

1. A & M Hurley COMPLY OR DIE D Murphy
2. P Manning LLYWNS ALLSTAR M O'Brien
3. F Quill KEYSTONE WINGMAN S Quill

DIST 4l 2l TIME2.30.1 SP 3/1 5/2 5/2

Heat 4

1. M Goggin Jnr SAUNDERS PICASSO Owner
2. IB Stables IB MAXIMUS D Murphy
3. Kelleher Bros PAN CAM DRIFT M Kelleher

DIST 1l SH TIME 2.29.1 SP 5/2 3/1 4/6

Grade G & F

1. D O Callaghan SPRINGHILL JOSEPH M Goggin
2. S Jennings HEATHER BREEZE Owner
3. N Forbes SUNNYSIDE JET ONE Owner

DIST 3l 1l TIME 2.35 SP 6/4 6/4 3/1

Saddle Grade C D & E

1. K Connolly TALENTED MAN S Twomey
2. TJ O Farrell MEADOWBRANCH RAPPOS L Kelleher
3. M Duggan SKY SECURITY Cathy Duggan

DIST 1l 2l TIME2.30.1 SP 5/4 6/4 5/2

Prix De Ballabuidhe Le Trot

1. F Quill TARNO JOSSLYN S Quill
2. Kelleher Bros VOLCAN EREM M Kelleher
3. P Hill UNE STAR PIYA Owner

DIST 1l 1l TIME 3.29.1 SP 6/4 6/4 4/1

Grade A1 A & C

1. M O Donovan MR SECURITY Owner
2. D O Sullivan RED MISCHIEF D McCarthy
3. O Driscoll/ O'Reilly LYONS STALLONE C O'Reilly

DIST 3l 2l TIME 2.25.7 SP 5/1 5/2 5/1

George Deane Memorial Handicap Final

1. Caroline O'Brien CRUISE HOWARD T O'Leary
2. IB Stables IB MAXIMUS T Murphy
3. Pete Hill HILLSIDE DARTANIAN Patrick Hill

DIST 5l 3l TIME 2.28.3 SP 4/6 5/1 3/1