By Dan Walsh
Five winners last weekend and another treble success at Tattersalls, Co. Meath, this afternoon takes Barry O’Neill twelve clear of Rob James (41-29) and striding forward towards his ninth National Point-to-Point Riders’ Championship with six weeks of the season left.
O’Neill got the winning sequence rolling with a double for the Colin Bowe stable – newcomer Red Rubio in the maiden race for four-year-old geldings and Mandinka by five lengths in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings.
O’Neill’s treble was aboard David Christie’s Winged Leader, winning for the 31st time in in his career in the Open Race with 12 lengths to spare at the finish.
Garrett Murphy’s brilliant run of success with his four-year-olds this season continued at Tattersalls when Magic Gloves in the Turbine Syndicate colours scored by six lengths under Newry rider Noel McParlan.
And the Wexford winners didn’t stop until the final race where Richard O’Keeffe, Newtown, Taghmon, saddled Turnupdevolume who got home by half a length in the novice riders’ race under AJ ‘Tony’ Doyle from Duncormick who is enjoying his second winner.
Point-to-point action also took place at Stradbaly, Co. Laois, and more Wexford winners. Donnchadh Doyle saddled newcomer Endless Talking in the maiden race for four-year-olds and recorded a twelve lengths victory with Alan Harney in the saddle. Pierce Power from The Hook also saddled a winner – Go To The Moon ridden by Darragh Higgins by three lengths in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings.
Dothejive, in the colours of Jimmy Devereux, Rostoonstown Stud, Tacumshane dead-heated in the maiden race for five-year-old mares plus, ridden by James Cousins, Kilmore.
A third fixture took place at Dromahane and the Wexford cheer continued at the Cork venue. Newcomer Storm Queen scored by five and a half lengths for the Gaynestown Stud Partnership and handler Jonathan Fogarty in the maiden race for four-year-old mares. Finian Maguire was the successful rider.
Jamie Scallan from Tomhaggard rode his 80th career point-to-point winner on Burncourt Boy for Clonmel handler Tom Keating in the maiden race for five-year-old plus geldings.
WexfordLocal.com 