By Dan Walsh at Ballinaboola races
The most excited person at the Wexford Hunt point-to-point held in Spring-like conditions today at Ballinaboola was Kilmore rider Joanne Corish who rode her first winner; Old Style Humor for Ballindaggin handler Sean Doyle by one length in the concluding Winners of Three race. It was a very popular victory for Ms. Corish who had two mounts.
The well-attended meeting got under way with the first four-year-old maiden race for 2023 and a one and a half lengths success for first timer De Tellers Fortune ridden by Brian Dunleavy for Coolgarrow Lane handler Ellen Doyle. Afterwards James Doyle said he was “delighted” with the performance of the €32,000 purchase at Tattersalls Derby Sale.
Rosemary Connors from Woodstown, Co. Waterford was the handler of Woodie Flash who came home seven and a half lengths to the good in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings with Cleariestown rider Barry Stone up.
Jack Hendrick and Cormac Doyle were relieved to see Stadium Talk get the better of Callin Baton Rouge (Declan Lavery) by “a neck” in the maiden race for five and six-year-old mares. Cormac Doyle said afterwards; “She is improving all the time; a nice mare and she goes to the sales next.”
Tara Cove is heading for “a winner’s race” according to champion handler Colin Bowe following an eight lengths victory in the maiden race for six-year-olds with Barry O’Neill in the saddle.
Philip Rothwell is having a good run of luck and the Tinahely stables added another success with Lesssaidthebetter who scored by 32 lengths to give Tralee rider Ross Sugrue his first winner in the maiden race for seven-year-olds and upwards. Rothwell was saddling his 20th career point-to-point winner to add to his success on the track over many years.
Rob James travelled to Bellharbour in Co. Clare today and rode a treble; Somptueux for Henry de Bromhead, Paddy De Pole for Tom Keating, and added the maiden race for five-year-old geldings on first timer Mt Fugi Park by five lengths for the Monbeg Syndicate and Ballindaggin handler Donnchadh Doyle.
Point-to-point also today at Tallow, Co. Waterford, where two Wexford stables were amongst the winners. Following his success at Ballinaboola with Old Style Humor Sean Doyle made it a double for the day with newcomer Leader in the Park gaining a 56 lengths victory under Liam Gilligan in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings.
Cold Sobar won the six-year-olds plus gelding’s maiden race for the Blackhall Stables Partnership and Killurin handler Paul Pierce. Two and a half lengths the distance and the successful rider was Sean Staples from Duncormick.
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