By Dan Walsh at Monksgrange
Colin Bowe had a remarkable treble at his local track at Monksgrange today including a six lengths success in Ireland’s richest point-to-point race – the €5,000 INHSC Race Winners Final with Gunnery Officer ridden by Barry O’Neill.
Six runners faced the starter in this bonus race and Bowe’s smart gelding prevailed and INHSC representatives Emmet Halley and Paul Murtagh were present to congratulate the winners and present a distinctive trophy.
Bowe and O’Neill get away to a brilliant start in the four-year-old mares’ maiden race where Jenny Wyse never came off the bridle and scored by twenty lengths. Afterwards Bowe said: “She’s a lovely filly. We like to come here (Monksgrange). The ground is safe. She will likely go to the Punchestown sales if she is not sold earlier.”
Barry O’Neill concluded his success with a double, but Bowe went on to record a treble victory when Son Of Aliciaslady scored by six lengths in the maiden race for geldings aged six years or over. Owned and bred by Theresa Abbey from Carlow, this was a third riding success for Bertie Finn from Monageer, but his first winner for the champion Kiltealy Stables.
Brian Redmond from Gorey was the proud owner of Rattling Road, the twelve lengths winner of the maiden race for five-year- old geldings who is ‘for sale’. Handled by John Walsh, Prebin, Shillelagh, and ridden by his son, James, this was a popular winner for regular point-to-point supporters.
The maiden race for four-year-olds was close – three quarters of a length – and a victory for Don’tstopbelievan owned by Mrs Timmy Hyde, handled by Sam Curling and ridden by Pa King – a well deserved success for Tipperary connections.
The Moon Seas Me, handled by Aidan Fitzgerald from Carlow in the colours of Stephen Lanigan-O’Keeffe took the maiden race for five-year-old mares and over by one and a half lengths in the hands of Troy Walsh from Danesfort, Kilkenny, who was enjoying his second career winner.
This was the third fixture run under the auspices of Bree Hunt Club this season at Monksgrange and it was a most successful occasion with a large attendance enjoying the pleasant weather conditions.
Luke Murphy from Inch, Gorey, travelled to Fairyhouse point-to-point where he recorded a double. With Rob James riding at Monksgrange the Killanne handler trusted Murphy with the mount on first timer Adeiulevieux Enki and the partnership came home two lengths to the good in the maiden race for four-year- old geldings.
Murphy’s double came on Coilrock for Cleariestown handler Mark Scallan and owner Desmond Ellard in the maiden race for five-year-olds and over.
Also at Fairyhouse A Rated won the Open Race for novice riders by three lengths, much to the delight of rider Josh Berry and his parents, Shirley Berry (owner) and Johnny Berry (handler) from Tomhaggard.
Also point-to-point action at Dromahane, Co. Cork, today, and more Wexford winners! Matthew Flynn O’Connor, Ballycrystal, Kiltealy was the owner and handler of newcomer Wrappedupinmay who won by ‘a distance’ in the maiden race for four-year-olds with Wicklow rider Brian Lawless in the saddle.
Jimmy Devereux was enjoying the action at Monksgrange today, but his son, Vincent Devereux saddled First Preference to a twelve lengths victory in the Open Race at the Cork track with Foulksmills’ rider Shane O’Rourke guiding him home.
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