THE Ormond Foxhounds held the final point-to-point of season on Monday which saw the welcome return of Derek O’Connor to the winner’s enclosure.
Roi De Dubai (1/1 favourite) supplied O’Connor with his first winner since breaking his leg at Quakerstown earlier in the season when landing the opening Goffs Bloodstock Sales four-year-old gelding’s maiden for handler Ken Budds. The son of Dubai Destination showed good battling qualities when staying on well in the closing stages to deny Carlos Du Fruitier by a short-head.
The gelding is owned by Kevin Galvin who is heavily involved with Inch point-to-point. The delighted owner remarked afterwards: “He is a hell of a horse. He lost his confidence running on bottomless ground but he appeared to really enjoy it out there today. I was delighted to see Derek on him as he has done most of the schooling on him.”
Jamie Codd secured his second The Irish Field Riders title when Doitforjoe (9/4 favourite) took the Jimmy Neville Memorial six-year-old geldings maiden for Kilkenny handler Michael Butler.
The son of Vinnie Roe who was only having his second outing, appeared to love conditions and battled well to keep Golander and Barry O’Neill at bay.
The winning handler Butler remarked afterwards: “He handled the ground very well and looks a real summer horse. We will consider taking him to the track now. He is nicely-bred type who we bought privately from the breeder Tom Ryan.”
The Liffey Mills mares’ open provided spectators with the most exciting finish of the day with Liz Lalor and Pops Well (1/3 favourite) getting up in the closing stages to deny Chriss Bomb and Aine Dagg by a head.
Liz Lalor joined Sheila Ahern and Aileen O’Sullivan at the top of the ladies table and all three will now share the title.
The mare is owned by Thomas O’Flynn and is trained by his son Paul. An elated Paul O’Flynn remarked afterwards: “She is as tough as nails and has been a great servant to the yard. She has now won seven races for us. Liz was brilliant on her and her experience really showed through when not panicking and riding the final bend so well. I am delighted that she is now sharing the title with Sheila and Aileen. We have her (Pops Well) in Clonmel Friday and Limerick Saturday so will she how she comes out of this.”
Wexford handler Sean Doyle recorded his 10th winner of the season when Times Are Grey (3-7/2) took the Seamus Malone & GLB Syndicate six-year-old mares’ maiden in the hands of Barry O’Neill. The daughter of Olden Times has being running well this season and proved her worth today with a solid victory.
A delighted Doyle remarked afterwards: “She deserved to win today, she has been unlucky coming up against some pretty decent individuals.
“Jay Tobin should get a lot of recognition as he has done a brilliant job with her and has done all the schooling and it showed out there today. She will now go to the Ascot Sale in July.”
Father and son Christopher and Joseph Daniels combined to land the Bike Park Ireland & Fairymount Stud Winners Of Three contest with Follow The Moon (7/4-2/1).
The 11-year-old really impressed spectators when winning with any amount in hand. The winning rider Christopher Daniels is a full-time mechanic in Loughrea and just rides his father’s horses in point-to-points.
“Chris was very good on him, he just leaves him alone and lets him do his own thing. He is a brilliant jumper and did it well today. We bred him ourselves and will leave him now until the autumn,” stated a delight Joseph Daniels.
Raymond Barron landed the concluding Ellen & James Feehily Memorial Race eight-year-old and upwards maiden for novice riders aboard Fiord Cottage (4-3/1 favourite) for handler Bernard Crowley. The daughter of Beneficial has been knocking on the door on her last two outings and put her experience to good use when running out a two-length winner.
It was also a special day for her owner Geraldine Fitzgerald from Kilbrien, Dungarvan who recorded her first winner. Cork handler Bernard Crowley reported afterwards: “She was entitled to win here today. Ray gave her a brilliant ride, I don’t know how he is still a novice rider as he is a very talented rider. I am delighted for the owners too as it’s their first winner. We might go to the track now”.
Codd first again
THE newly crowned The Irish Field Riders Champion Jamie Codd, also received the award for the leading rider at the two day Ormond meeting held at Ballingarry. Codd recorded three winners and two seconds over two days.
Ahern recovers
SHEILA Ahern was present at the final meeting, but not as a rider as she had taken a heavy fall the previous day in Kinsale. Ahern was taken to hospital but had been given the all clear. The rider was on hand at Ballingarry to keep a close eye on the ladies’ title.
Going into the final meeting both she and Aileen O’Sullivan were at the head of affairs on six winners a piece, but following the success of Pops Well, Liz Lalor joined the pair for a three-way tie.