By Dan Walsh at Fairwood, Tinahely
Ballindaggin handler Sean Doyle and Tomhaggard rider Jamie Scallan had a brilliant day at the Wicklow Foxhounds point-to-point at Fairwood, Tinahely, today (Sunday) where they shared a well-deserved treble success.
Doyle and Scallan got off the mark with Gale Force Jet owned by Henry Chamney who scored by five lengths in the maiden race for five and six-year-old geldings. “He will go for a winners’ race at Punchestown if he is not sold,” said Doyle afterwards.
Willitgoahead for the Monbeg Partnsership brought success number two for Doyle and Scallan by an easy 13.5 lengths in the Open Race beating the red-hot favourite Lifetime Ambition. “He has loads of ability and will go to Limerick for a hunter’s chase at Christmas,” added handler Doyle.
It was a first treble for Tomhaggard rider Jamie Scallan, but Sean Doyle admitted to having one before as the partnership unsaddled Between Waters who took the Winners of One Mares Race by ‘a neck’ in the final race of the day.
Another Ballindaggin handler who sent out his second winner was Jim O’Neill, brother of champion rider Barry O’Neill, who saddled Icare Du Marais to a single length success in the maiden race for six-year-olds and over confined to novice riders and Alan Harney, from Kilmacow, Kilkenny, was in the saddle. “He is a grand horse. He will go for a ‘winners’ now and he will come on for that run,” said O’Neill afterwards.
Denis Murphy’s Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh, enjoyed a tight finish – half a length – success with Gaelic Pride ridden by Jack Hendrick in the maiden race for four-year-olds. “He likes being handy, He is for sale. He will win plenty of races,” said a delighted Murphy afterwards.
Barry O’Neill was in the winner’s enclosure following the one and a half lengths victory on Nanny Betty, running in the colours of Tom Power and Annette Lawlor and handled locally by John Patrick Walsh, Ballyday, Gorey, in the maiden race for mares aged five years or older.
There was also point-to-point action at Thurles, Co. Tipperary today (Sunday) and success for Wexford was on the cards. Ellen Doyle and the Baltimore Stables Syndicate at Coolgarrow Lane, Enniscorthy, took the maiden race for four-year-old mares by20 lengths with newcomer Porte Jaune ridden by Brian Dunleavy.
Cleariestown rider Barry Stone teamed up with Waterford handler Paul Power to win the maiden race for four-year-old geldings on newcomer Alzurs Thunder; and Eoin Staples, Duncormick, rode the John P McManus owned Priory Park to his third success this season in the Open Race confined to novice riders by five lengths and trained by legendary Tipperary trainer Edward O’Grady.
Next Sunday, point-to-point action comes to Lingstown, Tomhaggard and the autumn Killinick Harriers meet. First race at 12.30pm. Entries close on Tuesday at mid-day with p2p.ie.
WexfordLocal.com 