By Dan Walsh at Fairwood Park, Tinahely
Today’s point-to-point at Fairwood, Tinahely, was held in pleasant autumnal conditions where the highlights were doubles for Denis Murphy, Shane Cotter and Barry O’Neill, while Jessica Grant (19) from Kilmacow, Mullinavat rode her first winner.
Denis Murphy saddled a pair of winners – Finisk Pride by seven lengths in the maiden race for four-year-olds and Empire Soldier by five and a half lengths in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings. Both were ridden by Shane Cotter.
Empire Soldier gave handler Murphy is 300th point-to-point success. In his 19th year as a handler Murphy trains at Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh, and has made a fantastic start to the new season with four winners in the first three weeks!
Champion Barry O’Neill also scored a double. He was aboard Ersudaly for Colin Bowe in the maiden race for five-year-old mares and added the Open Lightweight Race on the Gordon Elliott trained Chemical Energy by six lengths.
Tipperary raider Iorens won the Mares Winner of One race for handler Sam Curling and rider David Doyle.
Kilkenny rider Jessica Grant enjoyed her first win from six point-to-point rides with an easy 15 lengths victory on Roman Parish handled by David O’Brien from Piltown. Jessica rides out for O’Brien and at Colin Bowe’s stables in Kiltealy.
There was also point-to-point action at Umma House, Co. Westmeath where Adamstown handler Kieran Roche saddle a double and both were newcomers.
Taranis in the Michael Kenny colours won by half a length in the maiden race for four-year-old geldings and the same combination clinched the double with Arklow by 12 lengths in the maiden race for five-year-old plus mares. Both were ridden by Donal O’Connor from Mallow.
Dutton Law in the Aidan Byrne colours scored for handler Robert Tector, Coolbawn, Rathnure, and rider Brian Lawless by an impressive 32 lengths in the maiden race for four-year-old mares.
Rob James and Eamonn Doyle shared winning ways with Kenzo DesBruyeres who beat the field by 22 lengths in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings.
The Island Hunt point-to-point takes place at Peppardscastle, Kilmuckridge on Saturday, October 25th. First race at 1pm. Entries close on Wednesday.
WexfordLocal.com 