The going at Monksgrange, near Rathnure, point-to-point tomorrow (Sunday) has been described as ‘soft’ as the first of six races get under way at 2 pm and the hosts, Bree Hunt Club is anticipating a large attendance in favourable weather conditions.

Two fixtures went ahead today with Killanne rider, Rob James, clocking up a double at Lisronagh, beginning with the Donnchadh Doyle trained Espoir De Loire, first time out, taking the maiden race for four year olds by one and a half lengths.

ROB JAMES had a Saturday double at Lisronagh.

James’ second winner was for Donnchadh’s brother, Sean Doyle, on first timer Shotgun Sally by one length in the mares maiden race for five or six year olds.

A week earlier and Doyle saddled Crosshue Boy, owned by Niall Heffernan, Blackwater, and ridden by Harley Dunne, won a £100,000 Class 2 novice handicap chase on the Scottish Grand National card at Ayr. His biggest success to date and well deserved.

Harley Dunne was also among the winners today at Taylorstown, near Newry, winning a mares maiden contest on Drumconnor Girl for trainer James Lambe by three lengths

Barry O’Neill also had a winner at the Co. Down venue. Vinnie Luck for David Christie had 15 lengths to spare in the Open Lightweight Race. It has been a good week for O’Neill at the Punchestown Festival with two victories – Commander Of Fleet in the Goffs Land Rover Bumper on Tuesday and Friday’s Bishopscourt Cup on Alpha Male for Kildare trainer Peter Maher.

There was a Wexford 1,2,3 in the maiden race for four year olds. Donnchadh Doyle made it a two meeting double on the day when Court Jurado scored for the Monbeg Syndicate under James O’Rourke, Silversprings, Bridgetown, by one and a half lengths and followed home by One More Fleurie (Harley Dunne for James Doyle) with Our Bubba (Simon Cavanagh for Denis Murphy) filling the third spot.