By Dan Walsh at Courtown

Rob James was the star of the show at sunny Courtown this afternoon where he won the first three races on the card to record a memorable treble and all were trained locally.

Needhams Gap justified favouritism in the maiden race for four year olds and won impressivily by three lengths for Ballindaggin handler Donnchadh Doyle, who said afterwards; “He is a fine horse and he jumped well. He is half-owned by David ‘Corky’ O’Connell the farrier and cost €68,000 at the Derby Sales.”

James was aboard another favourite in the maiden race for five and six year old mares and he brought Emmas Joy home in front by eight lengths.
A five year old mare by Gold Well out of Emma Jane, Emmas Joy was bred by the owner, Paddy Molloy’s sons, Ned and Shane, from Ballycullane, and was the fourth success of the season for Bunclody handler, Richard Black.
James was lucky in getting his third victory on Rushour Ryan for Colin Bowe in the maiden race for five year old geldings race by four lengths.

JP Brennan’s No Hidden Charges and jockey Simon Cavanagh were in command at the head of affairs when coming down at the last fence and Rushour Ryan, owned and bred in Carlow by Richard Frayne, gained the initiative and is likely to head for the sales ring.
Luke Murphy from Inch had a victory at his local track when guiding Pacte In The Park to a five lengths success in the Winner of One for owner/trainer Simon Kenny from Mileshea, on the Wicklow, Carlow, Wexford border.
“I’m very happy with him. He needs soft ground.” said the handler, who explained that Luke Murphy was an able substitute for James Walsh, who was present on the track sporting a broken collarbobe from a fall last week.

Shane Staples, (18), Duncormick, enjoyed his second victory on Colonel Sam, owned by his uncle, Michael Staples, and trained by Benny Walsh, who had 10 lengths to spare in the maiden race for six year olds and upwards.

SEAN STAPLES after winning at Courtown today.

The only winner with no Wexford connections was the well-backed Ask Mary, ridden by Liz Lalor, who had three lengths to spare at the end of the 5-runner Mares Open Lightweight Race.
It was a very successful day’s racing for The Island Hunt, the fixture was run off safely, and ‘a family holiday’ atmosphere amongst the large attendance.
Friday evening racing took place at Largy, Co. Antrim, where Wild Polly, trained at Duncormick by Ashleigh Murphy got off to a winning start in the maiden race for four year old mares with Sean O’Keeffe from Taghmon in the saddle. The verdict was one and a half lengths.
Colin Bowe saddled the five lengths winner of the maiden race for five year old mares, Inisbel, ridden by Rob James.
Jamie Codd recorded a double on Some Response for Brian Hamilton in the Winners of One race by 12 lengths and on Sam Curling’s Uluroo by 10 lengths in the maiden race for six year old geldings.
Saturday racing completed a two-day event at Largy where the solitary Wexford winner was Barry O’Neill on Corella Creek for David Christie in the Winners of Three.
Next Sunday’s point-to-point is at Monksgrange under the auspices of the Bree Hunt Club and the first race is at 2 pm. Entries close on Tuesday.