West Cork, Ireland – Saunders Picasso made it four wins from as many starts when landing The Tim Cooper Kelleher Memorial Top Grade Pace at the annual Skibbereen Memorial Day on Sunday.
Rhyds Solution and Kestrels Dot Sammy set the early fractions to the opening turn.
At the inside turn the order remained the same with Saunders Picasso turning badly along with race favorite Ghengis Pride .As they headed to the final turn Saunders Picasso was still five lengths off the leaders.
Heading for home Rhyds Solution had three lengths to spare and Saunders Picasso now second began to close Passing the fish factory it was a battle royal with Saunders Picasso getting his nose in front in the final stride to win by a short head with Rhyds solution loosing nothing in defeat and Ghengis Pride running on to finish third.
This was Saunders Picasso first run in the top grade and will be a force to reckon with, It was a family affair as Mike Goggin Jnr owns the winner who is trained by his father Mike Snr and ridden by sister Deirdre.
Matthew O Reilly was leading jockey on the day with two wins.
Billycoan Colt, who changed ownership since Ballygurteen, but is still trained by Chris O Reilly and Coalford Bruce were market leaders but Matthew O Reilly on Billycoan Colt had always his rival in sight and ran on to a six length winning margin.
O Eeilly doubled up on Diplomatist who is owned by his father Tadhg. Captain Morgan set a scorching pace but again O Reilly reeled in the leader and had three lengths to spare at the finish.
The Grade C saw punters opinions differ between Lets Party and Dreamfair I Say and the bookmakers nearly got the "Result" with Rhyds Dilemma leading to the final 100 yards before Lets Party came with a late challenge to win by a length.
A stewards inquiry was called but the result stood.
Splash The Cash and The Red Rebel have had some great battles since the opening of the year and again served up another thriller with Splash The Cash coming out on top this time by a length.
Next on the calendar is Barnahulla on the 9th February and with different winners in the top grade for the past few meetings it promises to be a day not to be missed.
by Tim Kelleher, for Harnesslink
RESULTS
Novice / Grade E Trot.
1st: Splash the Cash, J. Hurley
2nd: Red Rebel, J. O' Driscoll
3rd: Fire Fly Z, D. Goggin
4th: Hint of Mist, C. O' Driscoll.
Grade C Trot.
1st: Lets Party, A. Mc Carthy
2nd: Rhyds Dilemma, T. Moloney
3rd: Dreamfair I'd Say, J. Hurley.
N/R Camden Jimmy, M. Moloney.
Grade D Trot.
1st: Billycoan Colt, M. O' Reilly
2nd: Coalford Bruce, T. Moloney
3rd: Lyons Super Nova, D. Goggin
4th: Newtown Amber, T. O' Leary.
Grade E Trot.
1st: Diplomatist, M. O' Reilly
2nd: Captain Morgan, J. Hurley
3rd: Brywins One Off, D. Goggin
4th: Kentucky Finale, C. O' Driscoll
Grade A / B Trot.
1st: Saunders Picasso, D. Goggin
2nd: Rhyds Solution, T. O' Leary
3rd: Ghengis Pride, C. O' Driscoll
4th: Kestreldotdsammy, J. O' Driscoll