Seven wins for Wexford stables

By Dan Walsh

Two point-to-point fixtures today (Saturday) at Ballingarry, Co. Tipperary and Punchestown, Co. Kildare and between them seven Wexford trained winners with champion handler Colin Bowe and Donnchadh Doyle enjoying success at both venues.

Newcomer A Fortune Out West got the Bowe camp into winning action with a four lengths success in the maiden race for four-year-olds at Punchestown ridden by Craanford rider James Kenny.

Bowe’s double came in the maiden race for five- year-old mares at Ballingarry when Lucky Light crossed the line three lengths to the good for champion rider Barry O’Neill, who won the Downpatrick Hunter’s Chase on Friday with On The Sod trained in Fermanagh by David Christie.

Harley Dunne, Blackwater, is the owner and handler of Emma Blue who scored by three lengths in the four-year-old mares maiden race at Ballingarry. The winning rider was Tiernan Power Roche from Tomhaggard.

Half an hour later and another Wexford success at the Tipperary venue. James Walsh, Tinahely, brought newcomer Tahmuras home in front by a length in the four-year-old auction race for the Monbeg Syndicate and Donnchadh Doyle.

Liam Giligan (20) won both divisions of the maiden race for five-year-old geldings on Wexford trained mounts. Forward Plan won division one for owner Caitriona Goff and handler Michael Goff, Monageer, by four lengths and the verdict was similar in division two won by Iceburgh Bay for the Monbeg Partnership and Ballindaggin handler Sean Doyle.

And one other Wexford winner at Punchestown. Salsa Davis completing an across the card double for Donnchadh Doyle in the Monbeg Syndicate colours by three lengths in the mares’ maiden race. Fifth winner of the season for 19 years old Pearse Rogan from Caim, near Enniscorthy.

Barry O’Neill is well clear of the national point-to-point riders’ championship with 48 winners while in the race for handlers’ title Colin Bowe is on 37 and Donnchadh Doyle is in second position with 23 victories.