By Dan Walsh
Rob James (39) and Barry O’Neill (38) is the latest from the top of the national point-to-point riders’ championship tonight (Saturday) after both riders recorded doubles. There were also doubles for the handler brothers from Ballindaggin, Donnchadh Doyle and Sean Doyle and riders Jack Hendrick and Jamie Scallan.
It was a long day with a 9-race card and three ‘divides’ at Stradbally where Rob James took both divisions of the maiden race for four-year-olds on Klub De Reve by a head for Donnchadh Doyle in the first division and Ultimate Survivor for Sean Doyle in the second division by two and a half lengths. This was the second success of the day for Donnchadh Doyle who also took division one of the maiden race by one length with Golan Loop ridden by Alan Harney.
Jonathan Fogarty from Gaynestown Stud, Cleariestown, marked his best season so far with eight victories and gained his 20th career winner when newcomer Local Derby won division two of the maiden race for four-year-olds ridden by Ross Sugrue.
The five-year-old maiden race also divided; division one was won by Onyerbike, owned and bred by Jimmy Devereux and trained by his son, Vincent at Rostoonstown, Tomhaggard by three and a half lengths for Foulksmills rider Shane O’Rourke and division two was the first leg of a double for rider Jack Hendrick on Denis Moore’s Mr Gower. Hendrick’s double came on Jay Bee Why for Antrim handler Warren Ewing.
A second point-to-point fixture took place today at Taylorstown, Co. Down, and two Wexford stables fought out the finish of the four-year-old geldings maiden. There was only a ‘head’ in the difference as Orderoftheday prevailed for Donnchadh Doyle and rider Jamie Scallan beating Colin Bowe’s newcomer Smokeringinthe dark and Barry O’Neill. Later Jamie Scallan scored a double on Ronnies Rules for Sean Doyle in the maiden race for five-year-old plus geldings, and it was another close finish – a head wins it!
Barry O’Neill and Colin Bowe got back on the winning track in the maiden race for five-year-old mares plus with newcomer Natus Vincere and O’Neill made it a double on Winged Leader for David Christie by two and a half lengths in the Open Race.
Plenty more action on Sunday with a second day at Stradbally and more divides as there is a huge entry and Ballindenisk also races.
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