By Dan Walsh
Barry O’Neill achieved a treble success at Ballindenisk, Co. Cork today, marking his 55th win of the season and securing his eighth national point-to-point riders’ championship with two weeks remaining.
Two of O’Neill’s winners today were for champion handler Colin Bowe; Axel Bleue by eight lengths in division one of the maiden race for five-and six-year-old geldings and a seven lengths victory with Practice Run in the Winner of One Race.
O’Neill’s third success came in the maiden race for four-year-old geldings on Time To Give handled at Gaynestown Stud, Cleariestown by Jonathan Fogarty. The winning margin was two and a half lengths.
Duncormick rider Sean Staples scored his 35th career winner for Cormac Doyle with Jewel Hope scoring by twenty-five lengths in division one of the maiden race for four-year-old geldings. Division two went to Cormac’s brother, Sean Doyle, Ballindaggin, who saddled newcomer Royale Rocker who scored by three lengths with Jamie Scallan in the saddle.
Darragh Berry and the Run For Fun Syndicate were celebrating following division two of the five-and-six-year-old geldings maiden race after Anyoneforsnacks took the spoils with Brian Dunleavy up.
Jim O’Neill, brother of top rider Barry O’Neill also enjoyed victory at the Cork track. Connies Hill won for him in the five-year-old plus mares maiden race with Jack Hendrick up. Verdict was three parts of a length.
There was also point-to-point action at Tattersalls, Co. Meath today where newcomer Moonlight Paradise won the maiden race for four-year-old mares’ contest for Denis Murphy, Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh. Shane Cotter took the mount. One length the verdict.
Cormac Doyle secured an across the card double when newcomer Timmys Jetaway (Darragh Higgins up) come off best by a length in the second division of the maiden race for four-year-old geldings.
Josh Berry bounced back from recent injury to join forces with his parents, Shirley and Johnny Berry, Tomhaggard, in celebrating the success of Five Star Getaway in the Open Race confined to novice riders.
Rob James saddled Coral Sunset for Benjamin Hill and took the ride himself, and the newcomer galloped to a 22 lengths victory in the five-year-old mares plus maiden race.
James and Barry Stone levelled on 21 winners each in the Eastern Region Riders’ Championship following this race, and sportingly Stone opted not to take his ride in the last race of the day. Both agreed to share the title.
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