A GREAT NIGHT FOR THE FLETCHERS AS MATADOR HALL WINS CROCK HEAT

Under a warm sunny sky the enthusiastic crowd watched 8 fascinating races that threw up some expected wins and the odd surprise.

The draw was made in front of the crowd and when it was time for the Crock of Gold heat draw there was a real sennse of drama as it was the last chance for some of the fancied horses to qualify for the finals on 31st august at Tir Prince. 1st out Crown Manhattan draw 5, then For A Few Dollars more draw 6, then Doonbeg drawn 7 there were gasps form the crowd and an an anxious smile on the face of Claire Fletcher as her horse drawn out last the prime draw number 1, so the race was set up to be a cracker. But first we had 6 races to contend with and the Prakas Trot was a cracking finish with Spike just edging out Royal Return on the line, then an imperious drive for Pam Haythornthwaite on the maiden Coalford JD who led from the front and finished in 2.02. The low grade pace pitched 2 horses that love the track Colonel Mustard and Southlands Dillinger and this week Paul Holden asked Ian Pimlott to drive and he just edged Colonel Mustard into 2nd in a quick time of 2.01. The 4 year old fillies race over 1.5 miles was an expected win for the fabulous Rhyds Hasty Affair, thats 5 wins in 5 and a very decent time of 3.04 for the longer distance. The Colts race over the same distance was a much more open affair and after a cracking race Richard on Sierra Romeo deputising for his dad Alan Haythornthwaite just pippedthe favourite Pans Landing into 2nd with Ayr Miles just behind in 3rd.

The Len Bach 1 mile pace was eagerly awaited as the 1st appearance of Change the Locks was giving a start to a number of good horses. From 20 yards back the Dunne’s horse stormed into the lead and the time for the 1st half of 59.3 (adjusted time of approx 57.9) passinf 5 or 6 horses in the process but with the race at its mercy it went into a break with 3 furlongs to go anRichard Haythornthwaite took full advantage and was first with Oakview Duke finishing fast in 2nd place. The Haythornthawaites and the Fletchers night was to get even better as their horse Matador Hall expertly driven by Willy Drysdale led from the front in the Crock of Gold heat and with a slender lead coming rounf the final bend gave a great turn of speed to win comfortably in 1.581 from the 3 fancied Irish horses with Doonbeg just getting the better of Crown Manhattan and Forafewdollarsmore, in 2nd 3rd and 4th respectively.

The final race of the night was an 8 off the gate preferred open handicap saw a win for the Martins from Northern Ireland when Angelas Cosmo won in 1.596 from Valhalla and Ayr Mission. The final race meeting at Tir Prince will be on 31st August, entries are being taken now by Eric Witherspoon. The full results are below