THE Ward Union Hunt’s decision to return to The Folly outside Oldtown in 2012 for their annual point-to-point has proven a wise move with landowner William Duffy taking huge pride in providing a top-class racing surface each year.

Duffy’s commitment, backed up by that of the point-to-point committee, has seen The Folly develop a lofty reputation among the country’s leading owners and trainers who target the north Co Dublin venue with their best young horses.

Winners of the four and five-year-old maidens since 2012 have gone on to make big money at the sales and/or land some of the top National Hunt races in Britain and Ireland. Sadly, Flemenshill, impressive winner of the four-year-old race last year, died before ever running for the late Alan and Ann Potts who gave £480,000 for the Flemensfirth bay at Cheltenham last February.

The second-placed Defi Bleu, a €255,000 Derby Sale graduate as a three-year-old, won a Navan bumper on his sole start since; third-placed Palmers Hill, winner of a Tyrella maiden on his next start between the flags, was knocked down for £310,000 at Cheltenham in March and won a hurdle at Uttoxeter in October; and the fourth home, Kildorrery, won a bumper at Tramore in December.

Carefully Selected won his maiden and, having changed hands for £100,000 in the interim, claimed a bumper at Leopardstown over Christmas. Third at the Foxrock track that day was Captain CJ who initiated a hat trick of point-to-point successes when winning his maiden at The Folly last year.

WINNERS

Other winners at the Ward meeting who have gone on to score on the racecourse include Gunnery Sergeant (2015), Stone Hard (2014), Very Wood (2013) and The Nephew and Forever Gold who were maiden winners in 2012.

Second to The Nephew in the four-year-old maiden that afternoon was Thunder And Roses whose five wins under rules included victory in the 2015 BoyleSports Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.

This year’s renewal takes place on Sunday, February 11th when the day’s action will be rounded off by two races for members and subscribers of both the Ward Union Hunt and the neighbouring Fingal Harriers.