The going was tough at Knockmullen House, New Ross, today with ‘glue-like’ conditions underfoot and many of the 53 runners failing to complete the track, in fact, only one in eleven finished in one race and only two from ten completed in another stamina sucking contest.
It was, however, a successful point-to-point for the hosting Wexford Hunt Club, the weather held fine and there was a fine attendance who had the added benefit of watching the traffic on the new N25 New Ross Bypass on the far side of the track.
The first four-year-old maiden race in the south east attracted 10 runners but only two finished. Jamie Codd drove home the Denis Murphy trained Brooksway Fair by ‘a distance’ with Harley Dunne on the Liam Kenny trained Orby’s Legend filling the runner-up spot. Afterwards the master of Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh, spoke well of the Mahler gelding and indicated he will be heading for the sales.
Shane O’Rourke, Foulksmills, was aboard Walking The Walk, winner of the maiden race for five-year-old geldings for Philip and Orla Hore, Mount Eaton Stud, Ballycogley, and handler Johnny Berry from Lingstown.
Home Farm House was a first point-to-point success for Kieran Roche, who has six horses in training at Adamstown, in the maiden race for mares. The verdict was three lengths and James Walsh, Shillelagh, was in the saddle.
Colm Murphy, Killena, Gorey, has returned to the training ranks after a break of a few years and he saddled Glendruid, the ten lengths winner of the maiden race for geldings. The winning rider was Jimmy O’Rourke, Clonard, Wexford.
When the first races were run at Knockmullen House last November rider Moira McElligott had a memorable eight lengths victory for William Murphy, Ballycurragh Stud, Rathoe. The combination returned today for the Winners of Three race and the Patrick Kennedy owned and bred gelding repeated his liking for the course and distance and came home 20 lengths clear for a popular victory.
The maiden race for novice riders started out with a field of eleven, by this time the track had taken a pounding and the ground had deteriorated, fatigue reduced the field with a very tired Mr Cosmos coaxed to the line by Wicklow rider Brian Lawless for Meath handler William McLernon.
Rob James travelled to Bellharbour today and was rewarded with a double success. He was aboard the Colin Bowe trained Star Gate, who is for sale following a three lengths victory in the maiden race for four-year olds. And later James teamed up with Donnchadh Doyle on Fashion Nova who dead-heated in the mares’ maiden race. Nice double success for the neighbouring Wexford stables at the Clare track.
Racing also took place today at Ballyvoodock, Co. Cork, and a Wexford one-two in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings. Stellar Magic won by half a length to give Cleariestown handler Jonathan Fogarty his first success of the season, with Barry Stone, (20), enjoying his fifth winner, getting the better of Colin Bowe’s Pay The Piper ridden by Jimmy Kenny, Craanford.