By Dan Walsh
Three point-to-point fixtures across the country today and more Wexford winners. Topping the bill were riders Barry O’Neill and Barry Stone who both recorded doubles and handler Colin Bowe also saddled a double.
Barry O’Neill and Colin Bowe headed for the races at Dromahane, Co. Cork, today (Sunday) and were celebrating on the way home following a double success.
Newcomer Fairy Park took the maiden race for four-year-old mares by eight lengths while another newcomer from the Kiltealy stables named Unflinching scored by two and a half lengths in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings.
It was a brilliant weekend for champion O’Neill who rode in the Foxhunters Chase over the ‘National fences’ at Aintree on Thursday and rode three winners yesterday at Newry.
Barry Stone from Cleariestown was in Castletown-Geoghegan today and enjoyed a double at the Westmeath track.
Stone got off to a winning start in the maiden race for four-year-olds handled by Garrett Murphy, Ballymitty, who is having a great run of luck. Murphy has been training for four seasons and this was his 12th career winner and his sixth of the current season.
Stone’s double was achieved aboard Princesse Milania for handler Robert Tector, Coolbawn, Rathnure, in the maiden race for mares’ five-year-old plus. The winning distance was four lengths.
Michael Murphy from the Redbridge Stables, Duncormick, also ticked the scoresheet. He saddled Shining Marble in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings and enjoyed a four lengths victory with Darragh Higgins up. Murphy is in his sixth season as a handler and this was his 20th career success.
There was one Wexford winner at Rathcannon, Co. Limerick when newcomer Crystal Island handled by Eamonn Doyle, Ballindaggin, won the four-year-old geldings race by three and a half lengths with Jamie Scallan in the saddle.
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