By Dan Walsh at Fairwood Park, Tinahely
Many of the brave hardy crowd who gathered for the Shillelagh & District Hunt point-to-point at Fairwood Park, Tinahely, today (Sunday), got the better of the bookies, but were deprived of viewing the thrill of success by the complete lack of visibility as a blanket of fog persisted all afternoon.
Commentator Richard Pugh was forced to put aside his binoculars as he could see absolutely nothing through the fog that invaded his commentary position. Punters had to rely on the official results after each race before knowing if their luck was in or out!
Nevertheless, the six-race card went ahead on schedule and safely and for some it was an occasion to remember – even if it will never make an entry to the video archive!
Popular Conna, Co. Cork, rider John Barry recorded his 200th career winner on Locken Lady in the maiden race for five-year-old mares. Ellmarie Holden from Balyhale, Co. Kilkenny was the successful handler.
Jordan Kidd, (21), from Kentstown, Co. Meath, enjoyed his first every winner on Arverne for Gavin Cromwell by half-a-length in the Open Lightweight Race. Kidd, who admits to being ‘a bit heavy to be a jockey’ has been riding out at Cromwell’s stables for about a year and looking forward; “I would like to be a trainer,” he said afterwards.
Christine Worrell, (20), from Monasterevin, also notched up her first winner on her third ride in point-to-points and one spin on the track. She provided a winner for owner/handler Paddy Quinlan on Elusive Touch by one length in the mares’ maiden race for six-year-olds and upwards.
Barry O’Neill rode his 20th winner of the season on Colin Bowe’s Admiral Stewart in the maiden race for five-year-olds with a six lengths front running performance finishing ahead of Skuna Bay (Denis Murphy and Jack Hendrick) with Mount Rinjani (Robert Tector and Jamie Scallan) two lengths further back in third place.
Kyle Vally was a winner for rider Ross Sugrue in the Winners of One for novice riders, who was favoured by the “ground conditions”, sporting the colours of Caroline Doyle of Tullow and handled by Sean Osborne from Clonegal.
Michael Murphy’s Redbridge Stables at Duncormick enjoyed the first success of the season with Class Award in the gelding’s maiden race for six-year-olds and upwards. He scored by ‘a neck’ under rider Darragh Higgins.
The fog never relented although the view changed regularly and there was always the hope that it would drop away but the low temperatures persisted. The track performed well “soft, soft to heavy in places” was the official going and the well wrapped up point-to-point enthusiasts never complained!
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