RACING returned to Manch at ‘The Cornfield Oval’ on Sunday. With the lower track under corn, the action centred on the ‘outside track’ with some fantastic finishes and a few top-drawer performances.

BY TIM KELLEHER

Dunmanway-based Jeremiah O’Mahony, who is track manager at Ballabuidhe, saw his Fairplay Briolais take the featured Grade E D & A1 Trot.

Driven by his son Dan, he hit the front at the opening corner and led Homa and Humour de Cosse. At halfway, Holloway Road and Graal Du Dollar – both off a 50-yard handicap – joined issue but couldn't get to the leader, who won with a bit in hand.

‘He loves it at the front so I told Dan to lead out and let them catch him. He is tough and today showed that,’ O Mahony said.

Top Dollar took the honours in the high-grade pace for Reenasreena-based reinsman Jamie Hurley, who drove four winners the previous weekend.

Ayr Beach led for the opening two furlongs but Top Dollar was soon in command and held on to beat Get Me Out Of Here. Imported from Scotland towards the end of last year, the six-year-old rises a notch in the handicap but won't be out of place at that level.

Fairplay Briolais, with Dan O'Mahony, leading the way in the Grade E to A Trot. (Photo: Lydia Kelleher)

Racing opened with a winner for the Limerick-based John Cross Jnr owned-and-driven Bettonme, who won by 11 lengths on his fifth lifetime start.

Empereur Souverain made his seasonal debut a winning one for Drimoleague native Niall Forbes. Brutenor was the hare and led for most of the journey. Turning for home he was joined by Empereur Souverain, who ran out a five-length winner.

The Grade F Pace saw a strong betting market with all five runners well fancied. Christy Brown was sent to the front by Patrick Hill, who came in for a spare drive. Hill dictated matters up front, and was too good for Emily Rose at the finish. The winner is owned by Liam O’Brien from Schull.

Finbarr Quill comes over the county bounds from his Kenmare base every week and got a winner with Destin de Larre in the Apprentice Trot. Destin De Larre moved to over €70,000 in lifetime prize money with a pillar-to-post win for driver Oisin Quill.

Best finish of the day came in the four-runner Grade E & D Pace. Streams Of Whiskey was away at the start, and turning for home was still two lengths in front, though the field was closing in. Ayr Harbour saw daylight on the inside to get up in the shadow of the post to foil the gamble. Mike O’Mahony, from Schull, drove the winner for Dunmanway-based builder Mike Healy.

Racing this weekend takes place in Dunmanway at the Ballabuidhe track with a 2.30pm start. Meanwhile, work continues at the new purpose-built track in Lyre with a July opening forecasted.