Husband and wife team, Michael and Ashleigh Murphy, Duncormick, had a double in the first two races at Ballinaboola today, while their jockey, Garry Murphy, Ballycullane, shared in both successes after a spell on the sidelines.
First up was Fearless Fracas who had six lengths to spare at the end of the maiden race for four year olds whose trainer said his horses were running well, but he described Fearless Fracas as “a special horse” although it is likely that son of Fracas will be heading for the sales.
“We had a double here before,” Michael Murphy recalled after Cool Destination came home two lengths to the good in the maiden race for five year olds and took home the James G.B. Boyd Memorial Cup.
Benny Walsh from Cleariestown had a pillar to post success on Tuff Nano who enjoyed herself at the head of the field and still had an eight lengths advantage at the winning post.
Walsh also trains Tuff Nano who is owned by her breeder, Peter Aspel of Newbawn, who is unsure where the five year old goes next! “I’ll have to discuss it with Benny,” said Mr Aspel afterwards.
Monbeg Syndicate and Donnchadh Doyle supplied the winner of the Winners of One race in Winged Leader who won at Knockbrickland a fortnight earlier.
This was the first leg of a double for Rob James who went on to score on My Forever Friend for John ‘Shark’ Hanlon in the maiden race fror six year olds and upwards. The winning distance was just half a length in a pulsating uphill finish.
The Open Lightweight Race was confined to novice riders and Gerry Spain took the honours rather convincingly on Some Are Lucky by ten lengths.
It was a good day’s racing although the weather deteriorated seriously after the third race, however, Wexford Hunt Club and its efficient team persevered with the card and ended the six-race card on time.
There was also a fixture at Dromahane where Jamie Codd won his 901st point-to-point winner on Take It Away for Denis Murphy, Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh, in the maiden race for four year olds.
Codd became only the second rider to pass the 900-mark (Derek O’Connor is the other) and it came aboard Pegase Amour at Loughanmore, East Antrim, the second leg of a double on Saturday.
For the record, Jamie Codd has ridden 901 winners (23.2% strike rate) from 3,892 mounts and has had 317 falls.
The Bray Harriers point-to-point takes place next Sunday, November 18th, at Fairwood, Tinahely. The first race is off at 12.30 pm.