By Dan Walsh at Ballinaboola
Eighty-four of the 140 entries stood their ground and faced the starter at today’s Wexford Foxhound’s well attended point-to-point at Ballinaboola, New Ross, resulting in a nine-race card and doubles for handlers Sean Doyle, Ballindaggin, and Colin Bowe, Kiltealy, and Tomhaggard rider Jamie Scallan.
The first four-year-old maiden race of the year ended in a photo-finish with the Billy Connors owned, Colin Bowe handled, and Barry O’Neill ridden Korkoran securing victory by a head from Let Me Go Boys (Michael Murphy/Darragh Higgins with Seaview Rock (Robert James/Eoin Staples) a head back in third place after a tremendous battle over the last two obstacles.
The first division of the afternoon came in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings with 25 declared. Sean Doyle and Jamie Scallan initiated the first of their double success with The Final Word getting home by a neck from Old But Gold (Denis Murphy/Jack Hendrick), while Forty Coats, owned and handled by Andrew Latta at Ballinakill, Ballycarney, had a slightly easier task in winning division two by four lengths with Harry Swan in the saddle. Immediately afterwards, Harry, who is son of former champion jump jockey Charlie Swan of Istabraq fame, hurried away to Leopardstown where he had a ride in the bumper.
The maiden race for five and six-year-old mares was next to be divided. The Go Left Ben Syndicate and handler Benny Walsh from Tomhaggard were in celebration mood after Two Fingers West carried Barry Stone, Cleariestown, to a four lengths victory in division one, while the second division was highlighted by an impressive six lengths victory for Lady Mags, running in the colours of owner/handler Pat Doyle from Courtown and ridden by Bertie Finn, Oulart.
Sean Doyle and Jamie Scallan achieved their double for the day with Willitgoahead in the maiden race for six-year-olds. Doyle also saddled the runner-up Soldier Of Rock (Ross Sugrue) and there was only ‘a head’ between them at the finish. This was Sean Doyle’s 140th career winner as a handler.
Sixteen runners gathered in the paddock for the maiden race for seven-year-olds and upwards when it was realised that the race was confined to novice riders. A division ensued with two races of 10 runners each. The first divide was won by Haggard on his tenth outing, in the colours of Piercestown owner, Thomas Coleman, ridden by Eoin Staples from Duncormick and making a double success on the day for handler Colin Bowe. The second division went to Memories Never Die for west Cork rider Finbar Brickley and handled in Co. Meath by Nigel Slevin.
The final race of the day was the Winners Race Unlimited with six runners where Peggy’s Rock went to the front from flag fall under Michael Sweeney, never looked in any danger and was eight lengths clear crossing the finish line. Afterward handler Michael Goff from Clondaw, Ferns, said of his winner; “She is a good mare. She made it a good gallop and she was quick at her fences,” and the stable hopes to have a good future with her.
There was also point-to-point action at Bellharbour, Co. Clare, today where Donncha Doyle saddled his 265th career winner as Jakar Du Moulin was the one and a half lengths winner of the maiden race for five-year-old geldings and ridden by Rob James.
WexfordLocal.com 