Only one place to start, the Gold Cup at Shelbourne and the cream coming through with the seasoned top level open racers Ballymac Anton deservedly winning out.
There was a close call at Dundalk with Awesome Aiden just getting the nod over two bends, though the 21.18 (400) deserves mention for the appropriately named Speed Winner.
Among those who might be of interest to UK racegoers is the 16 month old Sniper Ria who did a decent run at Derry. She is from one of the few litters sired by Mark Wallis’ former sprint open racer Ela Ela Genie.
In a week where it is often hard to distinguish mediocrity from weather lashed race tracks, two stood out at their respective tracks, Sober Express at Kilkenny, and a FOY run at Youghal for Kerryroad Butch.
Frank Moore presents the Gold Cup to Shane Dowling following Ballymac Anton’s victory. Shelbourne RM Derek Frehill (left) completes the picture. Photo Imelda Grauer
| CLONMEL | 29.00 | EMERS FLASH | (Droopys Sydney-Emers Ivy, Jan 18) |
| CURRAHEEN PARK | 28.33 | UNCLE BERTIE | (Pat C Sabbath-Cabra Fifi, May 18) |
| DERRY | 16.63 | SNIPER RIA | (Ela Ela Genie-Glenbowen Jewel, Oct 18) |
| DRUMBO PARK | 17.77 | GALTEE XTRA | (Droopys Jet-Ballymac Galtee, Jul 18) |
| DUNDALK PARK | 18.78 | AWESOME AIDEN | (Scolari Me Daddy-Ballougry Black, Apr 18) |
| ENNISCORTHY | 29.13 | DROOPYS CLAIRE | (Scolari Me Daddy-Droopys Isabella, Jul 17) |
| GALWAY | 19.29 | BUMBLEBEE BUZZ | (Ballymac Vic-Bumblebee Rosie, Sep 18) |
| KILKENNY | 29.29 | SOBER EXPRESS | (Droopys Jet-Colorado Josie, Aug 18) |
| LIMERICK | 28.84 | O GARNEY ZORRO | (Ballymac Eske-Sierra Zorro, Jan 18) |
| LONGFORD | 29.92 | RACECOURSE BREZE | (Paradise Madison-Racecourse Wowie, Apr 18) |
| MULLINGAR | 29.85 | KNOCKMANT BELLE | (Storm Control-Mineola Talent, Oct 16) |
| NEWBRIDGE | 28.94 | BARISTA BOY | (Confident Rankin-Margarets Hyundi, Aug 18) |
| SHELBOURNE PARK | 28.26 | RANNOCH MOOR | (Taylors Sky-Leezie Lindsay, Apr 18) |
| 28.87 | BALLYMAC ANTON | (Ballymac Best-Coolavanny Angie, Nov 16) | |
| THURLES PARK | 29.88 | GREAT FUTURE | (Laughil Duke-Miss July, Jan 18) |
| TRALEE | 28.93 | PAYYAWAY RIO | (Drumcrow Obama-Drumcrow Kylie, Oct 16) |
| WATERFORD | 28.94 | KINGSMILL ASIA | (Superior Product-Kingsmill Jane, Apr 18) |
| YOUGHAL | 28.87 | KERRYROAD BUTCH | (Droopys Sydney-Eleanors Moment, Mar 18) |
