Eight races at sunny Monksgrange today

By Dan Walsh at Monksgrange

Many of the 161 entries for the Bree Hunt point-to-point races at sunny Monksgrange today (Sunday) stood their ground creating two divides and an eight-race card. There was a large attendance.

Champions Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill recorded a double success. Lemmy Caution supplied a six lengths victory in division two of the maiden race for four-year-old geldings. Sound Judgement made it a double with six lengths to spare at the end of the maiden race for five-year-old and upwards mares. Bowe confirmed afterwards that both are off to the sales now.

Sean Doyle saddled a winning pair. Ignore The Door ridden by Darragh Higgins scored by three lengths in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings and Gale Force Jet, a third winner for Cormac Byrne from Anvil Lodge, Ballindaggin, landed the Winners Two Novice Riders race by an impressive 12 lengths. The Bishopscourt Cup at the Punchestown Festival is Gale Force Jet’s next appointment.

Bowe and O’Neill were in with the chance of a treble with Occupational Force in the maiden race for six-year-old and upwards geldings, but victory went to Jetbob in the Monbeg Syndicate colours, handled by Donnchadh and ridden by Rob James. Jetbob wil now be aimed at a Winner of One race.

Ellmarie Holden from Ballyhale, Co. Kilkenny, enjoyed a winner at Balycrystal last Saturday week and she was amongst the winners at Monksgrange today again. She saddled Hernando De Soto ridden by Troy Walsh in division one of the maiden race for four-year-old geldings and won by eight and a half lengths.

Handler Patrick Turley and rider Declan Lavery took the long drive from Downpatrick, Co. Down to the shadow of the Blackstairs and it was worth while as they won both divisions of the maiden race for four-year-old mares. A Chara and She’s A Fair Maid did the business in style.

Point-to-point action today at Liscarroll, Co. Cork, where Jonathan Fogarty, Gaynestown House Stud, Cleariestown, saddled newcomer With Nolimit in division one of the maiden race for four-year-olds and scored by ten lengths under Ross Sugrue.

Lonely Dancer was a winner at the Cork track too, handled by Liam O’Brien and owned by Laurence Murphy, Campile. Ridden by Adam Feeney.

Jamie Scallan rode a winner at Oldcastle in North County Dublin – 20 minutes from Dublin Airport -today; Dora D’Or for Ross O’Sullivan in the Mares Winner of Two race.