Five wins for Denis and four for Jack

By Dan Walsh

What a remarkable weekend for handler Denis Murphy and rider Jack Hendrick who triumphed five and four times, respectively. Add a treble for Sean Doyle and doubles for Benny Walsh, Jamie Scallan and Barry Stone… it doesn’t get much better on the point-to-point season.

Murphy and Hendrick were in Lisronagh today (Sunday) and shared a double at the Tipperary track; newcomer Ilians Way winning division one of the maiden race for four-year-olds by six lengths followed by a four lengths success with another newcomer Walkonseas in division two of the gelding’s four-year-old maiden race.

Hendrick’s treble at Lisronagh came on Lastbutnotleased for Robert Tector’s Coolbawn, Rathnure stables in division two of the maiden race for five-year-old geldings by 10 lengths.

On Saturday at Ballysteen, Co. Cork, Murphy and Hendrick combined to win the Winner of Two race with Kiwi De Cotte beating Theatrical Getaway (Colin Bowe/Bertie Finn) by a head.

Also at Lisronagh Benny Walsh and Barry Stone shared double success winning division two of the maiden race for four-year-olds with Sarahs Lawn by four lengths and Northern Singer  scored by 16 lengths in the five- and six-year-olds mares maiden race.

Denis Murphy saddled a double at Fairyhouse on Sunday with Molten Blue by two lengths in the second division of the maiden race for four-year-old geldings and Johnjoes Lad by five lengths in division one of the maiden race for five-year-old geldings. Both were ridden by Shane Cotter.

Sean Doyle recorded a Sunday afternoon treble beginning with Beatonthestreet under Darragh Higgins by four lengths in the first division of the maiden race for four-year-old geldings.

Two more followed at Dromahane, Co. Cork. Prime Contender scored by two and a half lengths in division two of the maiden race for four-year-olds and Lines Crossed won division one of the five-and six-year-old geldings maiden race. Both were ridden by Jamie Scallan.

Rob James trained and rode newcomer Star Affinity who was a four and a half lengths winner in division one of the maiden race for four-year-olds.

Also at Dromahane, Anthony John Black from Ballinapark, Bunclody, saddled Scintillo who had a ten lengths victory under John Barry in the mares’ maiden race for five-year-olds plus.

Eamonn Doyle saddled Santa Wave (Aidan Harney) who had a five lengths victory in division one of the maiden race for five-year-old geldings at Ballysteen on Saturday.

20 years old James Murray from Ferns enjoyed his first victory on British soil when winning on Tenthousandreasons in the opening maiden at the Wales Area Club point-to-point meeting at Lower Machen last Sunday.

Murray had three rides on the card and said the opportunity to ride in Britain came about through fellow Irishman Peter Croke, head lad to Mickey Bowen, with Murray travelling over to the Pembrokeshire yard for a short spell which quickly led to race opportunities.

“I just went over for a few days after Peter suggested that I come over to ride out for a few days. I got the ride through them, and it worked out well,” said James who rides out for Sue O’Gorman at Adamstown and Mick Goff at Clondaw, Ferns, and has enjoyed success between the flags, with six career point-to-point winners to his name on the home circuit.