Doyle and Byrne winners at Borris House

By Dan Walsh at Borris House

Two Wexford stables were successful at today’s (Sunday) Carlow Farmers Foxhounds point-to-point held in bright sunshine at picturesque Borris House against the backdrop of partially snow-covered Mount Leinster.

Ellen Doyle landed on her 49^th career winner and sixth of the current season when Bride Rovers ridden by Frankie Murphy scored by three lengths in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings. Doyle’s other runner in this race, Jardin D’Ebene (Brian Dunleavy up) was leading to the last where the partnership parted.

John C. Byrne who trains at Ballygangans, Kilmore, saddled Full of Life in the maiden for five-year-old and upwards mares and was delighted with an impressive eight lengths victory. Jack Hendrick was in the saddle and this was a 70^th career victory for the Mayglass rider.

The famous emerald green and orange hoops colours of JP McManus were carried to success by veteran and former champion rider Derek O’Connor by Shuffle The Deck in the maiden race for four-year-olds.

Native Song in the colours of Mark Walsh and handled by Paul Kiely, Dungarvan, took the Winners of Two race confined to mares, ridden by James Murphy, beating Lady Mags handled by Pat Doyle, Courtown, and ridden by Oulart rider Bertie Finn by five lengths.

Johnny Hurley from Cork saddled Can Daddy Dance ridden by Mike Kenneally who scored by ‘half-a-length’ in the gelding’s race confined to novice riders.

John ‘Shark’ Hanlon from Bagenalstown won the final race of the day with Getaway King ridden by Rob James, Killanne. Hanlon had earlier paraded his ‘wonder horse’ Hewick in front of the large crowd ahead of his plans for Cheltenham and Aintree in the coming weeks.

Also point-to-point action today (Sunday) at Ballycahane, Co. Limerick, where Ballycrystal, Kiltealy handler Matthew Flynn O’Connor enjoyed a double success with two newcomers. Pierriot Jaguen by six lengths in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings and The Big Westerner by two lengths in the mare’s maiden race for five-year-olds plus. Both were ridden by Brian Lawless.

No success for Wexford stables at Tyrella in Co. Down yesterday (Saturday) but Cleariestown rider Barry Stone was given the mount on Gone With The Tide by Piltown handler David O’Brien in the maiden race for five and six year old geldings and the partnership celebrated afterwards following a two and a half lengths victory.