Having been impressed a week ago with the debut run from Aoifes Magpie, it did not surprise me she won well over 380m on Saturday.

Trained by Patsy Cusack, the dog put in a creditable effort at the end of June when finishing third after missing her break away from the traps and being crowded around the first three bends.

She gave me the impression she has decent track craft and proved it at the weekend.

This time she trapped out well and had to overcome crowding before leading around the final bend to win by just under three lengths with plenty in hand.

Leamaneigh Mick has only just lost his puppy status and is fulfilling his early promise, having won his first race over 540m in top grade S1.

The dog started his career here in February in grade A7 over 380m and rose to reach elite level A1. His best effort was third in mid-June.

The Steve Gammon-trained dog won seven of his 19 races along the way, a tremendous strike rate but the switch at the weekend to six bends over the extra 160m may prove to be where his future lies.

He looked the part as he came from third around the last two bends to win by a length.

Odds of 6-1 would suggest local bookmakers did not expect him to win but they will have to rethink after he passed Burgess Lad, Five Card Draw and Springwood Ali – all decent dogs – with almost contempt.

He is not likely to start at such big prices again but you could do a lot worse than give him your support.

Freetong Flyer should have won his debut race last Friday, having finished second after all sorts of problems.

This was an A5 grade race and he was 5-2 joint favourite. However, he missed his break coming out of the boxes in last place, was bumped at the first bend – albeit he got there in
fourth – and was beaten by a length and a quarter.

Had he had any sort of a run, he would have won fairly easily.