By Dan Walsh at Fairwood, Tinahely
Today’s point-to-point at Fairwood, Tinahely, took place in heavy ground conditions, but dry overhead, and it was an afternoon of double success for handlers Denis Murphy and Gordon Elliott and rider Rob James.
With no four-year-old races until next month the card got underway with a seven-runner contest for five- and six-year-old mares and a three and a half lengths victory for Coco Mademoiselle with Mayglass rider Jack Hendrick up. “We fancied her today. She will be a nice mare and she is for sale,” said winning handler Denis Murphy from Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh.
Murphy added a second success with Garcon Dargent by one length in the Winners of One Race confined to novice riders and provided Joey Dunne from Dunboyne, Co. Meath with his third career winner.
Gordon Elliott sent several runners from his Meath stables, and while he wasn’t present but saddling up on the track at Naas, he bagged two Tinahely winners.
Barry O’Neill was aboard Hardline in the Open Lightweight Race and scored by three lengths while Elliott provided Rob James with the first leg of a double on Happy Victory who had four lengths to spare at the end of the maiden race for five- and six-year-old geldings.
James made it a double in the final race of the day for geldings of seven-year-old and upwards easily by 16 lengths on Rockandrose for Fermanagh handler David Christie.
Only three faced the starter in the maiden race for mares aged seven years and upwards, they all got around safely, and the five lengths winner was Elusive Mae ridden by Moira McElligott for Carlow handler William Murphy.
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