The Pigeons is a famous point-to-point venue in south Westmeath and they hosted a successful fixture today in which many Wexford stables had runners, they had winners too, and Killanne jockey Rob James scored twice.
James got off the mark on the Monbeg Syndicate Donnachadh Doyle trained Onthefrontfoot in the maiden race for four year old geldings, coming home one and a half lengths ahead of Fancy Pance, trained by Mary Doyle, and ridden by Barry Stone, (19), from Cleariestown, who had his first ever winner last week on Unexpected Depth at Loughrea.
Rob James’ second winner was for Cleariestown handler Benny Walsh, who incidentally is uncle of the aforementioned Barry Stone, on Mil Race King for the A.T.M. Syndicate, by five lengths in the maiden race for five and six year old geldings.
That was James sixth winner of the season and brought him level in the national championship with reigning champion Barry O’Neill, but O’Neill won the final race on Didarro for local handler Brian Dillon, so the Balindaggin rider holds onto the lead at the close of this week’s point-to-pointing.
Denis Murphy, Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh, who saddled Lough Derg Rose to win at Tinahely at 3 pm, simultaneously won the 3 pm at The Pidgeons with Maliboo owned by Richard Cavangh and ridden by Simon Cavanagh. The winning verdict was tight – only half a lengthy in it!