By Dan Walsh at Lingstown point-to-point races
Lough Derg Spirit made his debut over the Banks Course in the Open Lightweight Nomination Race at Lingstown, Tomhaggard, today (Sunday) and booked himself a place in the cross-country race at Cheltenham in December with the long-term plan to have a crack at the La Touche Cup at Punchestown next April.
It was a fourth time career success for the 11-year-old who runs in the colours of Kathleen Murphy, Ballinagore, Blackwater, handled by her son, Denis Murphy, Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh, who had five lengths to spare in the hands of local Mayglass rider Jack Hendrick.
The feature race success was the second of the day for the Murphy/Hendrick partnership. They won division one of the maiden race for four-year-old mares with Presenting Doy who got the better of Ellen Doyle’s Whatmakes Honey (Brian Dunleavy) in a short-head finish.
Twoohthree carrying the Monbeg Syndicate colours scored by ‘a neck’ in division one of the maiden race for four-year-old geldings race for Ballindaggin handler Sean Doyle and rider Jamie Scallan who hails from beside the Lingstown track at Tomhaggard. Gordon Elliott and Barry O’Neill won division two of this ‘divide’ with Son of Anarchy, who is now destined for the sales ring. His winning verdict was 12 lengths.
Sean Staples from nearby Duncormick enjoyed his 23rd career success aboard Theatre Light for the Blackhall Stables Partnership, Killurin, and a first victory of the season for handler Paul Martin Pierce. Three and a half lengths the verdict and they scuppered a treble for Denis Murphy and Jack Hendrick who filled the runner-up spot with Ciakat.
Stuart Crawford made the long journey from Larne in Co. Antrim to saddle Sawdust in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings, but it was all worthwhile and ended well with an impressive five lengths success and an excellent ride from veteran point-to-point rider Derek O’Connor. And guess who the runners-up were…Manlikemike for Denis Murphy and Jack Hendrick!
My Forever Annie (Declan Lavery up) won by ‘a nose’ in division two of the four-year-old mares maiden race for handler Patrick Turley, who came all the way from Downpatrick, Co. Down,
Darragh Allen from Kilworth, Co. Cork was the rider of Lonesome Boatman, a winner by two lengths in the concluding maiden race for six-year-olds and upwards.
Conditions were misty for much of the day, but the rain held off, and there was a fine attendance. The track was in good order, plenty of grass, and the racing was very competitive with close finishes. The first two races were ‘divided’, so it was an eight-race card and everything went off safely.
An additional point-to-point has been scheduled for Lingstown next Saturday, December 2nd with the first race at 12 noon. The card consists of Race 1 – 4yo Mares Maiden; Race 2 – 4yo Geldings Maiden; Race 3 – 5yo Geldings Maiden; Race 4 – 5yo & Upwards Mares Maiden; Race 5 – Open (Novice Riders) and Race 6 – Winners of Two. Entries close next Tuesday.
WexfordLocal.com 