Marymass Festival roll of honour

Aug 29 2008 Irvine Herald

THE ham on top of the greasy pole on Irvine Moor turned out to be the star turn on Saturday when it steadfastly refused to budge.

A four strong team spent more than two hours climbing the pole egged on by an ever increasing crowd in vain attempts to dislodge it.

Several of them reached the top but despite their sterling efforts and a pair of strong pliers the bacon joint was still attached to the pole as the parade returned to town.

Willie Stewart, helped by Rab Cooper, Joe Affleck and a mate, got to the top but couldn’t cut the trio of wires holding the ham in place.

Willie said: “Whoever nailed it on to the top of the pole made sure it wouldn’t come off. We tried everything to get it down.”

It was eventually removed by council workmen on Monday.

The Friday night race meeting proved a success in attracting a good field of runners for the Saturday event.

The results of the four race card on Friday night were: The Pheonix Group Handicap over one mile – 1, Monday’s Joy, ridden by by T Carol and owned by M Flannery; 2, Jamrom, ridden by A Fairley and owned by Mrs J Robson; 3, Sir James, ridden by T Boyd and owned by J Craig.

The Burns Tavern and Scottish & Newcastle Sprint over six furlongs – 1. Scraps, T Boyd, N Mill; 2.The Leaser, M Manion, G McGilligan; 3. Lucy’s Girl, A Fairley, J Craig.

Marbil Travel Chase over one mile two furlongs – 1. Tuesday’s Joy, T Carol, M Flannery; 2.Oneroa, T Boyd, N Mill; 3. Feagies Boy, M Manion, G McGilligan.

Wilsons Auction Handicap over one mile four furlongs - 1. Off The Rails, T Carol, M Flannery; 2. Alicombe Star, L Berridge, Colin, Butch and Ger; 3. Sir James, A Fairley, J Craig.

The results of the Saturday meeting were: The Norman Cadona Memorial Stakes over one mile – 1. Hannibal, L Berridge, The Deelieweggs; 2. Lucy’s Girl; 3. Golden Shell, G Campbell, G Telfer.

UPM Caledonian Sprint over six furlongs – 1. Riverside Giant, W Hoog, High Level Racing; 2. Croc of Gold, S Hill, Elderwood Racing; 3. Kasier Star, L Berridge, C’s and M’s Syndicate.

North Ayrshire Council Handicap over one mile two furlongs - 1. Tuesday’s Joy, T Carol, M Flannery; 2,Oneroa, M Manion, M Hill; 3. On The Run, M Williams, Raeburn Racing.

The Innkeepers’ Handicap over one mile four furlongs – 1. Fergies Boy, M M Manion, G McGilligan; 2. Off The Rails, T Carol, M Flannery; 3, King Zafeen, M Williams, A Crozier.

Eileen Martin Marymass Queen Memorial Stakes – 1, Joe, A McKechnie; 2, Helen’s Lass, K Bigham.

Kings Arms Hotel Clydedale Race over three and a half furlongs – 1. Tip Toe Tyson, A Angus, A Angus; 2. The Pharoah, B Rae, B Rae; 3. Casey’s Drum, J Elliot, J Affleck.

The Ship Inn Pony Sprint over three and a half furlongs - 1. Jiggy The Jigger, J Patterson; 2. My King, A Mitchell; 3, Angel Delight, T Goral.

The Late James W Affleck Clydesdale Race – 1. Tip Toe Tyson, A Angus, A Angus; 2. Casey’s Drum, J Elliot, J Affleck; 3. The Pharoah, B Rae, B Rae.

The Sanny Wilson Mile – 1. Foxfire Lady, M Mitchell; 2. Jiggy The Jigger, J Patterson.

Jane Harkness and Rab Anderson notched up their 12 win in a row when they took first and second place in the best dressed heavy horse category.

Third place went to William Reid.

The full results of the best dressed horses, fancy dress and floats were:

Best Dressed Pony in Procession 12.2 and under: 1. Linda Blackley; 2. Elizabeth Kennedy; 3. Joyce O’Donnell.

Best Dressed Pony 13.2 and under: 1. Kate Gilles; 2, Lesley Thurling; 3,Isobel Kennedy.

Best Dressed Pony 14.2 and under: 1. Erin Houston.

Best Dressed Horse: 1, Nan McGill; 2. Ann Robertson; 3. Sharon Grayston.

Heavy Horse Turnout local: Ex-Captain George Robertson.

Novelty Turnout: 1. Shona Abercrombie; 2. Julie Affleck.

Best Themed Turnout: 1. Mot; 2. Wizzard of Oz, Mrs Kennedy; 3. Flintstones.

Best Pony Drawn Turnout, 1. John Andrew; 2. Irvine Tailor Craft; 3. Anna Henderson.

Best Fancy Dressed Rides, 1. Daniel Barr; 2. Kelly Hawthorn; 3. Joannie Robb’

Community Float – commercial – 1. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Pheonix Group; 2. Hollywood, Irvine Times; 3. TOA Taxis.

Community Float – individual – John Lawson.

Overall best in parade – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.