BANK Holiday Monday saw the return of Llandrindod Races for the Wales and Border counties racing Association, to the prestigious track at Penybont.

There was bright sun shine throughout the day and the race card boasted a fine field of runners, promising for a thrilling afternoon. The meeting however commenced on a sombre tone as the committee paid tribute to the late Billy Davies who was a lifelong supporter of Mid Wales harness racing.

In the first race of the day, the Nursery race, two year old Briwyns Allbright (Arrowsmith, Hay on wye) driven by Janet Thomas continued his winning streak by taking the top spot, followed by local horse and new runner Dont Look Ethel (Bufton, Dolau) in second place.

The Baby Novice Trot saw Lawless (Elder, Blaencelyn) run a tremendous race under the guidance of Derek Pritchard to secure victory from recently qualified Talavary Crown (Greenway, Michaelchurch) in second place, while Showtime Artist (Lloyd, Painscastle) ran well in third.

The third event of the day was the Novice Trot, Dernol Yankee (Wozencraft, Llangurig) made an impressive run off 20 yards to complete a hat trick of wins this bank holiday with the experienced driver Andrew Hardwick at the controls. The striking No Stoppin (Greenway, Michaelchurch) claimed second to Danny’s Gift (Perks, Presteigne) in third.

The first Grade B heat was won by experienced campaigner Makemeamillionayr (Weigal, Llanddewi Velfrey) in the very capable hands of trainer and driver Louisa Barton. The electric Enter the Dragon (Harrison, Onibury) took second place and fast finishing Lanehouse Stan (Hitchcock, Haverfordwest) ran in third.

Cool Ice (Gething, Ewyas Harold) continued his improved form by taking a first place in the second division of the Grade B trot, giving Derek Pritchard his second win of the day. WhiskyandWater (Morgan, Beguildy) came in a very close second with pole horse Llwyn’s Mercy (Collingwood, Huntington) in third.

In the first heat of the Grade A trot, Ithon Inmate (Price, Brecon) ran a superb race off 40 yards to complete trainer Derek Pritchard’s hat trick of wins, catching the long time leader George Gentle (Duggan, Howey) in the final furlong. Saunders Mach 3 (Bevan, Llanddewi) ran a good race to take third place.

Ayr Hero (Bevan, Llanddewi) with driver Melanie Langford returned to the Penybont track with a vengeance after having fallen here just a few weeks ago, the soaring grey swooped up the home straight to take first place in the second heat of the Grade A Trot. Pole horse Merrington Checkm8 (Thomas, Llandeilo) claimed second place, and Wellfield Ghost (Jones, Merthyr) came third.

Ayr Ontario (Weigal, Llanddewi Velfrey), ridden by the skilled Jayne Bevan, put his best hoof forward in the saddle race to win in fine style ahead of No Stoppin (Greenway, Michaelchurch) in second place, and Hurricane Howard (Duggan, Llangunllo) in third.

The Grade B final provided a fine field of runners. After a flying start, Lane House Stan (Hitchcock, Haverfordwest) with Debbie Hitchcock at the controls ran impressively to claim first place and the Dai Davies Memorial cup, much to the delight of the buzzing crowd. WhiskyandWater, partnered with owner and trainer Fran Morgan raced promisingly to claim second place, ahead of heat winner Cool Ice (Gething, Ewyas Harold) in third.

The final race of the day was the coveted £1,000 race, the Grade A final. George Gentle from the Duggan stables in Howey and driver Andrew Hardwick made the most of the gate position, leading from the offset to claim the prestigious title and Reg Knill Memorial Cup. George Gentle also claimed the Metropole cup for the fastest time of day. Bookies favourite Ayr Hero (Bevan, Llanddewi) ran in second ahead of his stablemate, the reliable Saunders Mach 3, in a close third.

After an action packed day of racing in sunny Penybont, the trotting returns to Talsarn on Sunday, September 1 commencing at 1.30pm.

RESULTS

Nursery

1 Briwyns Allbright (Janet Thomas) owned Arrowsmith, Hay on Wye 2 Don’t look Ethel Time: 2.39.39

Baby Novice

1 Lawless (Derek Pritchard) owned Elder, Blaencelyn 2 Talavary crown 3 Showtime Artist Time: 2.35.88

Novice

1 Dernol Yankee (Andrew Hardwick) owned Wozencraft, Llangurig 2 No Stoppin 3 Danny’s Gift Time: 2.30.99

Grade B Heat 1

1 Makemeamillionayr (Louisa Barton) owned Weigel, Llanddewi Velfrey 2 Enter the Dragon 3 Lane House Stan Time: 2.28.58

Grade B Heat 2

1 Cool Ice (Derek Pritchard) owned Gething, Ewyas Harold 2 Whisky and Water 3 Llwyn’s Mercy Time:2.28.11

Grade A Heat 1

1 Ithon Inmate (Derek Pritchard) owned Price, Brecon 2 George Gentle 3 Saunders Mach 3 Time: 2.28.94

Grade A Heat 2

1 Ayr Hero (Mel Langford) owned and trained Bevan Llanddewi 2 Merrington Checkm8 3 Wellfield Ghost Time: 2.28.89

Saddle

1 Ayr Ontario (Jayne Bevan) owned Weigal, Llanddewi Velfrey 2 No Stoppin 3 Hurricane Howard Time: 2.33.11

Grade B Final

1 Lanehouse Stan (Debbie Hitchcock) owned and trained Hitchcock, Haverfordwest 2 Whisky and Water 3 Cool Ice Time: 2.28.21

Grade A Final

1 George Gentle (Andrew Hardwick) owned and trained Duggan, Howey 2 Ayr Hero 3 Saunders Mach 3 Time: 2.27.72