Narabane Lou put in a nice performance at the weekend in just her second career race when leading from trap to line to win her A8 event by no less than seven lengths.

The November 2012 pup is trained by Paul Tompsett and the field did not appear to have any excuses.

Perhaps the most important indicator was the dog’s sectional time, trap to line, of 3.66sec – the sort needed to get to the bend in front.

So, given she will benefit from this win, more can be expected albeit she is in the learning stage.

Two of my selections last week, Boley Blues and Toystory Star, were desperately unlucky to finish second by just a head and half a length.

It was not even a case of “must try better” as Boley Blues came from a long way back having been bumped at the first bend followed by being crowded at turn five.

Toystory Star led away from the traps and looked all over a winner until being caught and going under by half a length to Tuckers Duke.

Both must be worthy of another chance this week.

Performance of the week was by Skip Free, trained by Barry O’Sullivan, who won an A4 event in a fast 23.56sec.

The dog had a four-and-a-half length winning margin improving from fourth.

He went onto our race card here in early June but was probably over-graded, finishing in last place twice in two A2 races.

He was dropped to A3 and could only manage fourth, but this further drop gave him the chance to show what he can do and he looks like having what it takes to climb the grading ladder.

It was an emotional occasion on Saturday evening when the track said goodbye to Barry Stanton, our general manager for the last 20 years.

Barry had taken the track forward through his leadership, making profit year on year, and the track staff staged three trophy races to celebrate his time. He will be missed by all.