Barry O’Neill is back in the lead

By Dan Walsh

Champion point-to-point rider Barry O’Neill is back at the top of the championship table tonight, just 24-hours of being passed out by Rob James double, following double success this afternoon at Tattersalls point-to-point and bring his seasonal tally to 29.

O’Neill was successful aboard newcomer Kalo Athena, running in the colours of Patrick Fortune, Adamstown, and handled by Colin Bowe, who had one and a quarter length to spare at the finish of the maiden race for five and six-year-old mares. Half an hour later and he completed the double partnering Winged Leader for David Christie in the Open Lightweight Race. The verdict was a bit easier this time – nine and a half lengths.

Newcomer Kepler’s Law from the Ballycarney, Enniscorthy stables of Andrew Latta was the 12 lengths winner of the five- and six-year-old geldings maiden race with Jack Hendrick up. Denis Murphy, Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh, was also a winner today. He saddled Manlikemike (Sean Cotter up) to a two lengths victory in the maiden race confined to novice riders.

A second point-to-point fixture took place today at Dromahane, Co. Cork, where rider Sean Staples from Duncormick and handler Paul Martin Pierce from Blackhall Stud, Killurin, shared a double. They captured the maiden race for four-year-old mares with newcomer Fireball Frenzy by one length and added division two of the maiden race for four-year-old geldings with another newcomer, Dalston Lad, who had six lengths to spare. This was Pierce’s sixth winner of the season, which is a career best in his 17 seasons as a point-to-point handler.

Jim O’Neill from Ballindaggin saddled his first winner yesterday in Waterford and added number two today at Cork when Jamsieconn took the honours in the maiden race for five-year-olds plus under Jamie Scallan.