SO, LIGHTNING does strike twice, or so it does in Bettyville! The weather was again the star of the show as the racecourse basked in another evening of glorious sunshine, resulting in a really large crowd and a great evening's racing with an all-national hunt card down for decision.

With the ground officially good at the track, racing was competative but only one winning favourite saw the bookies winning the exchanges in the betting ring. The later start time of 5.40 p.m. also seemed to help, with a substantial crowd already in attendance prior to the first race.

Track management are working hard to encourage more racegoers and plans for a free evening on July 2 for women will hopefully encourage even more to attend.

But back to last Friday night's fixture, which saw Colm Murphy and Michael Fogarty share a double when taking the final two races. The Slaney Handicap Steeplechase saw the top weight, 'Dont Be Bitin', set to shoulder 12 stone, seven pounds, with Fogarty's claim reducing it by seven pounds.

Running over two miles and one furlong, the nine-year-old 'Turtle Island' gelding, already the winner of seven races, had a real fight on his hands when 'Mahrajaan' toppled over at the last when having every chance, allowing the Mark McDonagh-owned horse to come home alone at 6/1.

Speaking afterwards, winning trainer Colm Murphy stated: 'he deserved a little race like this, he got a super spin from Michael, but I'm not sure where to go, maybe a conditions chase at Tipperary'. This win saw Fogarty reduce his claim to five pounds, and he continued his good fortune when taking the concluding Knockhouse Stud Mares Bumper.

Riding 'Luna Runner' for the Sawdust Inn Syndicate, based in The Ballagh, the five-year-old 'Definite Article' filly jumped off at the start and was never headed to win at 9/2. Bred by one of the syndicate members, Rose O'Driscoll, this filly put up a good display here to win by two lengths. Murphy indicated the plans for the filly afterwards by stating 'we will keep rocking and rolling with her and she will now go jumping'.

This race was delayed due to a false start. It seemed from our vantage point, admittedly some distance from it, to have been in order but resulted in winning jockey Fogarty receiving a one-day ban for not obeying the stewards. Most likely a case of the stewards flexing their muscles a little too vigorously in my book!

Murphy and Fogarty were not the only local winners as Leonard Whitmore saddled the only winning favourite on the evening, 'Glacial Promise'. Owned by Jonathon Redmond, a builder, from Main Street, Gorey, the 'Glacial Storm' eight-yearold gelding was winning his second race for the Redmond family and it was their 14th track winner in all.

Running over two miles and three furlongs in the Courtown Beginners Chase, the Paul Townend-ridden horse was trying valiantly to peg back the leader 'Paddy O Dee', who didn't jump the last well, handing the initiative to Whitmore's horse who stayed on to win by just over a length. Speaking afterwards in the winners' enclosure, winning owner, Jonathon Redmond, stated: 'it was not a surprise to win if he reproduced his form. He will be better over a further distance and will now go for another chase'.

This was not the only winner for a Redmond family from Gorey as Brian Redmond, a fuel merchant originally from Ballygarrett but now living in Creagh in Gorey, saw his 'Cylinder Rattler' win at 16/1, giving winning jockey, Paul Townend, a nice double.

The seven-year-old 'Beauchamp Kin'g gelding, successful at the course last year, came from well off the pace to get up and win by a neck. Following great celebrations in the parade ring, the horse's winning trainer, Philip Rothwell, commented: 'he won first time out last year, but we tried him on soft ground and his action went funny, but he was in super form and we thought he had a chance'.

Another horse to come from well off the pace was 'Otterstown Lady' in the Poolcourt Ltd. Novice Hurdle over two miles. Trained in Co. Meath by Cathy O'Leary, this stapping seven-year-old daughter of 'Indian Danehill' obviously has a good turn of foot as she won this contest easily under Shane Hassett at 4/1. The only horse that the restricted licence holder has in training, plans for the mare are unclear with the winning trainer stating: 'we can go where we want from here, so we will suss things out'.

Racing opened with a nice winner for P.J. Colville in the shape of 'Schumpters Lad' in the two and a half mile Mount Leinster Maiden Hurdle under Philip Enright. Ridden towards the front, the five-year-old gelding by 'Beneficial' put his best foot forward with the aid of first-time blinkers to win at 4/1. Speaking afterwards, Colville stated: 'he is a bit of a devil, he needed the blinkers to concentrate and as he handles any ground he will try for a novice race after this'.

Co. Kilkenny-based trainer, Michael T. Moran, saw his seven-year-old 'Luso' gelding, 'Page One Two Nine', take the two and a half mile Vinegar Hill Maiden Hurdle in the capable hands of Andrew McNamara at 9/2. This horse, owned by Danesfort native Godfrey Moylan, gave him his first winner on the track and was bred by John Brophy from Co. Kilkenny.

He was always towards the head of affairs and won comfortably. Named after a Government financial report, page 129, it was not read by the relevant Minister of the day - not the first time a page or two was missed one would imagine!

With an 8.45 p.m. finish, the track was still busy with racegoers as they enjoyed a great evening's sport, which can be repeated on July 2 so don't miss that one.

RESULTS

Mount Leinster Maiden Hurdle (two miles, four furlongs): 1, D. Ronan, Schumpters Lad (P.T. Enright); 2, M. Dixon, Nora's Fancy (P.F. Mangan); 3, P.T. Flavin, Lake Return (C. O'Farrell). Dist.: three and a half ls., one and a half ls.; 16 ran.

Vinegar Hill Maiden Hurdle (two miles, four furlongs): 1, G.J. Moylan, Page One Two Nine (A.J. McNamara); 2, M. O'Donoghue, Knockraha Lad (P. Townend); 3, A.M. Roche, Pops Rocket (J.L. Cullen). Dist.: three and a half ls., short head; 15 ran.

Curracloe Handicap Hurdle (two miles, two furlongs): 1, B. Redmond, Cylinder Rattler (P. Townend); 2, M. Kelly, Trytonic (A.J. McNamara); 3, W. Delahunty, Loughwell Star (L. McNiff). Dist.: neck, nine ls.; 16 ran.

Poolcourt Ltd. Novice Hurdle (two miles): 1, C. Ennis, Otterstown Lady (S.J. Hassett); 2, IVV Partnership, Cabernet Sauvignon (B.J. Geraghty); 3, DVC Syndicate, St Devote (P. Townend). Dist.: one and a half ls., four ls.; ten ran.

Courtown Beginners' Chase (two miles, three furlongs): 1, J. Redmond, Glacial Promise (P. Townend); 2, O. Barden, Paddy O Dee (A.E. Lynch); 3, M. Buggy, Financial-regulator (P. Carberry). Dist.: one and a half ls., seven ls.; 13 ran.

Slaney Handicap Chase (two miles, one furlong): 1, M. McDonagh, Don't Be Bitin (M.P. Fogarty); 2, SN Syndicate, Dreamy Gent (A.D. Leigh); 3, J.P. McManus, Clew Bay Cove (A.P. Crowe). Dist.: eight ls., three ls.; 11 ran.

Knockhouse Stud Mares INH Flat Race (two miles): 1, Sawdust Inn Syndicate, Luna Runner (M.P. Fogarty); 2, E. Kent, Beat The Band (J.C. Barry); 3, HTGT Syndicate, Lady Chatterbox (K. Harrington). Dist.: two ls., one and a half ls.; 16 ran.