7 Wexford winners at two tracks

By Dan Walsh

A double for Rob James that took him to the top of the point-to-point riders’ championship, a treble for Donnchadh Doyle, doubles for Jamie Scallan and Sean Doyle, and a first winner as a handler for Jim O’Neill were amongst the highlights at today’s point-to-points at two venues that saw seven Wexford winners.

Sean Doyle and Jamie Scallan had a quick double at Curraghmore, Co. Waterford. Eastern Shores was the one and a half lengths winner of the maiden race for four-year-old mares. The four-year-old geldings’ maiden race was divided and they won division two with Moon Rocket. The first division provided Jim O’Neill, who is based at Ballindaggin, with his first success with newcomer El Cairos who grabbed the verdict by a neck under Sean Staples, Duncormick.

The five-year-old geldings maiden was also divided and Donnchadh Doyle and Rob James took both divisions. Disguised Limit in division one and Jarrive De Mee in division two. As a consequence, Rob James went to the top of the championship table with 28 winners, one more than reigning champion Barry O’Neill.

Donnchadh Doyle saddled his third winner of the day with newcomer Keops Des Bordes by five lengths in the four-year-old geldings’ maiden race at Loughanmore in Co. Antrim, providing Tinahely rider James Walsh with his 75^th career success.

Mayglass rider Jack Hendrick also scored his 75^th career success at the Antrim venue. Riding for Denis Murphy, Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh, they won the mares’ four-year-old maiden contest with newcomer Lets Mingle.

BREAKING NEWS; It has been officially announced today (Saturday) by the IHRB (Irish Horse Racing Board) that the Bree Foxhounds fixture scheduled for Sunday, April 28^th at Monksgrange has been cancelled. Following a track inspection the course was found to be unfit for racing.