Lingstown Saturday races successful

By Dan Walsh at Lingstown races

An additional point-to-point fixture at Lingstown, Tomhaggard, today (Saturday) went off well with a satisfactory crowd and doubles for handler Matthew O’Connor-Flynn and riders Jack Hendrick and Brian Lawless.

Matthew O’Connor-Flynn from Ballycrystal, Kiltealy, saddled the winners of both ‘divides’ of the maiden race for four-year-old geldings, both ridden by Brian Lawless. Nine ran in each division with Tumuch, a €65,000 bargain at the Derby Sales, taking division one by 12 lengths and half an hour later Going Live clinched the double with four lengths to spare.

Owner Kathleen Murphy from Ballinagore, Blackwater, who enjoyed success with Lough Derg Spirit over the Banks Course last Sunday, was back in the Lingstown winners’ enclosure today following the eight lengths success of River Agent handled by Denis Murphy, Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh, in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings.

This was the first leg of a double for Mayglass rider Jack Hendrick at his local track. Hendrick was aboard Majestic Force for Robert Tector’s Coolbawn, Rathnure stables in the maiden race for mares aged five-years-old and upwards. Likely to go to the sales now, Majestic Force was very impressive with a 28 lengths success in the soft ground conditions.

Air of Entitlement was impressive with a 16 lengths success for Colin Bowe in the maiden race for four-year-old mares. In the absence of the handler, rider Barry O’Neill said; “she loves and soft ground and is a great jumper.”

Billy Codd from nearby Mayglass saddled Special Prep in the Open Lightweight Race confined to novice riders and a two and a half lengths victory provided Cork rider Shane Cotter with his first winner.

Claire O’Connell made the journey from Ashbourne, Co. Meath to saddle Born Braver, who was successfully a few weeks again at Knockmullen House and the home-bred added another Wexford track success by ‘a neck’ in the Winners of Two Race for Cork rider John Barry.

It was a good day’s racing. The start was delayed by half an hour following a heavy night’s frost, one race was divided, and the seven-race card went off safely before darkness fell despite a very heavy shower.

Racing tomorrow (Sunday) is run under the auspices of the Carlow Farmers at Borris House with a large entry and an early start – 11am the first flag falls.