West Cork, IE – Following an early morning inspection, racing just about went ahead at the annual Ballabuidhe Festival.
Three elimination heats heats of The Paddy Connolly Memorial for Trotters saw two qualify for the Bank Holiday Monday Final.
In the opening heat Silvano Bello and Donal Murphy were all the rage in the betting market and this pair toyed with their rivals and despite being challenged by Ariane Des Tithais for most of the mile and a half ran out for an easy 2 length victory.
The second heat was rather a messy affair and after early mistakes it was Batman Du Relais who led home Antingo with Brutemor a remote third .The winner is owned and trained by Finbarr Quill.
In the final heat Banialouka a winner on her previous two starts was the punters choice but the ever consistent Vallanzana was not for catching giving owner Finbarr Quill his second win of the day and driver Seanus Quill a driving double .Amende De Cosse capturing the second qualifying spot .
The weather took a turn for the worse after this heat and promoters cancelled the remainder of the card.
The plan is to start at 1 Pm on Monday with the four elimination heats of the Grand Prix followed by two graded paces and then the Connolly Memorial Final and consolation Final followed by the Grand Prix Consolation and finishing off with the Grand Prix Final
by Tim Kelleher, for Harnesslink
RESULTS
Paddy Connolly Memorial Heat One
1.SILVANO BELLO D Murphy
2.ARIANE DES TITHAIS F Quiil Jnr
3.BELLA DESPANA L Kelleher
DIST 2L 1 1/2L 6 Ran
Heat Two
1.BATNAN DU RELAIS S Quill
2.ANTINGO D Murphy
3.BRUTENOR P Hill
DIST 3L 12L 4 Ran
Heat Three
1.VALLANZANA S Quill
2.AMENDE DE COSSE E Kane
3.BANIALOUKA K Sheehy
DIST 1/2L 1L 5 Ran
Rain caused cancelation of the remaining race card