CURRENT champion point-to-point rider Barry O’Neill enjoyed a double at the North Down Hunt meeting at Kirkistown last Saturday. His brace began with Hell’s Canyon (1/1 – 6/4f) in the opening four-year-old maiden. Purchased by Noel Meade at the Goffs Land Rover Sale last year for €85,000, the son of Martaline was sporting the maroon Gigginstown House Stud silks.

With many holding chances approaching the penultimate fence, the Colin Bowe-trained gelding hit the front under O’Neill and quickened clear turning for home to record a comprehensive 10-length success from Warren Ewing’s Favori De Champdou.

The grey gelding is out of flat winner Snake River and is a half-brother to four-time flat scorer Man Of Letters. The successful handler Bowe, who was training his first winner for Gigginstown House, remarked: “He is a lovely relaxed horse and has taken to racing very well. The ground suited him and he might even like it a bit softer. He will probably head to the track now and he should make into a good staying chaser.”

O’Neill and Bowe teamed up again later in the day to record a double in the mares’ winner of two as the Leo McArdle-owned Fort Worth Texas (5/4 – 1/1f) won impressively. Held up in the early stages, the five-year-old eased to lead at the penultimate fence. Soon the contest was over as the daughter of Gold Well showed a turn of foot her rivals couldn’t match and returned with eight lengths to spare over Boulta maiden winner Gold Time.

McArdle, who is a business man from Castleblaney, County Monaghan heaped praise on the trainer saying: “He’s a great trainer and knows his horses. He had her spot on today.”

Later Bowe commented: “She’s a lovely mare and Barry was saying she is very quick through the air. We decided to give her some more experience before she goes to the track. She likes better ground so maybe a summer bumper would suit.”

IMPROVED

Lough Derg Lyric (3/1 – 7/2) improved from his second-place effort in what looked like a decent contest at Dungarvan, to record an impressive success in the six-year-old and upwards maiden. Brian Lawless dictated much of the race on the Court Cave gelding, gave his mount the office after the penultimate fence, and the seven-year-old bounded to a five-length victory from the Colin Bowe-trained newcomer Goldazar.

Trained by Brian’s father Gerard, the winner is out of a half-sister to the former Nicky Henderson-trained Boomshakalaka. The handler indicated that Lough Derg Lyric will run in a winners’ race next.

The Peter Fahey-trained Gold Des Bois (6/4 – 4/5f) held every chance when falling at Templenacarriga in January but the Full Of Gold-sired gelding produced a clear round to take a five-year-old geldings’ maiden. Owned by Nigel Baring from Oxfordshire in England, the familiar orange colours were carried to success by Bi Quini Tiep at the same venue two years ago.

Initiating a double for Jamie Codd, the athletic-looking chesnut went to the front before the last fence and held off the late challenge of newcomer Lowtown Charlie and Ben Crawford. The French-bred Gold Des Bois is out of flat winner Equatoriale and is from the same family as Grand National hero Tiger Roll.

“We were delighted with his first run and it is just a pity he tipped up but he is a nice horse. Coming here today we were a little worried about the ground but it was lovely and safe for him. He seems to do everything easy and I think he could be better on really soft ground. He will mostly likely head to the sales but I would love to hold on to him as I think an awful lot of him,” said Fahey.

Codd followed up again half an hour later with Kruzhlinin (4/5 – 1/1f) for Gordon Elliott in the open. Securing his sixth point-to-point success of the season, the former Philip Hobbs-trained runner went clear on the better ground in the home straight and recorded an eight-length success from Winged Leader.

Simon McGonagle represented the absent Elliott and stated: “There was some tacky ground around the bottom bend so Jamie took his time with him and once he hit the better ground in the straight, he went on and won snug at the end. He will continue pointing and possibly go for a hunter chase later in the spring.”

Only six runners went to post in the five and six-year-old mares’ maiden as the Sarah Dawson-trained Rubiana (4/1 – 5/1) made all to score under Declan Lavery. Having shown promise at this venue when third on her penultimate start behind Brophies Doll, a change of tactics proved the right formula as the Scorpion mare recorded a two-length success from the David Christie-trained Cream Sparkles.

The race wasn’t short of incident with Farther Along coming to grief at the second fence and both Fyfin Patsy and Lady Maureen falling independently four from home.

Rubiana is out of a half-sister to Kicks For Free, a six-time winner on the track for Paul Nicholls. The elated handler Dawson remarked: “She has a big long stride and is a fantastic jumper. She got into a great rhythm and made ground at every fence.

“I am delighted for the owners Anne and Andy Wishart who also bred her. The plan was to win a point-to-point and she could head to the track now.”

Horse to Follow

WINGED LEADER (D Christie): Stepped up to open company, finishing second behind leading pointer Kruzhlinin. The five-year-old has been improving since taking his maiden at Loughbrickland in the autumn and can add to his tally this season.

Family win

HANDLER Gerard Lawless was quick to praise his children following the success of Lough Derg Lyric in the older maiden at Kirkistown. The winner is owned by the Ballydonagh syndicate which is made up of members of the Lawless family who are based in Delgany, County Wicklow.

The winning handler said: “Brian gave him an excellent ride judging the race from the front.” He then remarked: “A lot of the credit should go to my daughter Katie as she rides him out and schools him at home.”

First outing

ORAN McGill had his first ride at Kirkistown last Saturday on Milan Flyer in the open lightweight race. The 18-year-old obtained his licence before Christmas and hopes to get a few more rides during the season. From Maghera in County Derry, Oran rides out for Noel Kelly and his dad Gary McGill who also trains Milan Flyer.

Storm Erik

STORM Erik played havoc across the country last week, and following heavy rain on Friday night, water lay on part of the track which meant the fourth fence was omitted for the day.

Blustery conditions also delayed the tents being erected earlier in the week but things ran smoothly on the day.