Murphy and Hendrick double at Tinahely

By Dan Walsh at Fairwood Park, Tinahely

Handler Denis Murphy from the Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh, and Mayglass rider Jack Hendrick were the stars of the point-to-point at Fairwood, Tinahely, today (Sunday) when they teamed up for a double success.

Magneticattraction did the business for them in the maiden race for five-year-old mares, albeit, by the narrowest of margins -a short head – beating the curiously named Ixigreczed. Murphy also supplied the third placed Giveupyourauldsins (Shane Cotter up) who was nine lengths further back.

Murphy and Hendrick had one length to spare in the following race – the maiden race for five-year-old geldings – with Iriko D’Airy.

The French-bred Justatan was an impressive winner of the maiden race for four-year-olds trained by Michael Goff, Clondaw, Ferns and carrying the colours of Caitriona Goff. Afterwards, Goff described Jusatan as “a tough genuine horse and he jumps travels and stays.” Mickey Sweeney was aboard the winner who ousted the Rob James partnered and handled Fury Lad by half a length.

The Winners of One Mares Race went to Cork with an 18 lengths front running success for Dear Ryta for Alexander Ott from Mallow and ridden by Andy Burke Ott.

Thirteen faced the starter for the novice riders race and Aidan Fitzgerald from Borris handled the winner You No Me Too Well who was a four and a half lengths first riding success for Pandora Briseldon, from Marlborough in the United Kingdom who is a student at Trinity College Dublin studying Spanish and Arabic and rides out with Fitzgerald.

Focus Point, ridden by Daniel Hyde and trained by Timmy Hyde at Cashel, Co. Tipperary, was winning the sixth of his twelve runs with three lengths to spare in the Open Lightweight Race.

Good day’s racing. Both ground conditions and overhead conditions were autumnally perfect, a pleasant attendance, and the Wicklow Hunt will bring point-to-pointing back to Fairwood on Sunday, November 19^th.

Meanwhile, next Sunday, October 22^nd, the Island Hunt fixture takes place at Ballycrystal, Kiltealy with the first race at 2pm. Entries close on Tuesday.