Rob James extends championship lead

By Dan Walsh

Three fixtures across the country and a nine-race card at Borris House made for a busy point-to-point Sunday and doubles for rider/handler Rob James, Jonathan Fogarty and Sean Doyle. Doubles for riders Jack Hendrick and Barry Stone. And in addition, a treble for Rob James puts him on the 34-winner mark for the season, four in front of defending champion Barry O’Neill.

At Borris House the Matchmaker Syndicate, handler and rider Rob James took both divisions of the maiden race for four-year-old geldings; Moneygarrow by two lengths in division one and Draco Malfoy by one length in division two.

The maiden race for five-year-olds was divided and Rob James clinched an early treble with newcomer Sporting Glance for Matthew Flynn O’Connor who had six lengths to spare. Inishnabro won the second division of this race for Jonathan Fogarty, Gaynestown Stud, Cleariestown and rider Conor Moore. Ten lengths the verdict.

Sean Doyle and Jamie Scallan won both divisions of the four-year-old maiden race; Kadjat Des Mottes by an easy 16 lengths in division one and Marcel Magic – both newcomers – by two lengths.

Robert Tector, Coolbawn, Rathnure, saddled his second winner of the weekend when O’Grady’s Hill (Brian Dunleavy up) came home eight lengths to the good in the maiden race for five-year-olds plus mares.

The final race of the day at the busy Borris House track provided handler Pat O’Rourke, Clonard, Wexford, with a well-deserved two lengths success with Due Course ridden by the handlers’ son, James O’Rourke.

Wings And Wands get the better of the opposition in a ‘neck and neck’ finish to the maiden race for four-year-old mares for Pierce Power from The Hook ridden by Shane O’Rourke.

There was a strong winning Wexford presence at Tattersalls, Co. Meath, today where Barry Stone enjoyed a first and last race double. Newcomer Easy Love had two and a half lengths to spare in the maiden race for four-year-old mares handled by Jonathan Fogarty, who also had a winner at Borris House – so a winning double on the day. Mullanour owned by Frank Hamilton and trained by William J. Martin gave Stone his second success of the afternoon with a one length victory in the maiden race. Stone has now ridden 35 career winners.

Jack Hendrick also rode a double to bring his career total to 80. He was aboard newcomer Classical Creek for Cormac Doyle, Ballindaggin, in division one of the maiden race for four-year-old geldings. 10 lengths the verdict. And in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings Hendrick completed the double in partnership with Denis Murphy when Shattered Soldier opened a 20 lengths gap at the finish.

Paul Martin Pierce, Blackhall Stud, Killurin, made the trip to Droamhane, Co. Cork, today, and emerged with a six and a half lengths success with Mobile Mamma in the mares five-year-old plus maiden race. This was the 30th career winner for Duncormick rider Sean Staples.