The last point-to-point of 2018 took place today at Dromahane, near the Cork town of Mallow, and the Kiltealy-based team of Barry O’Neill and Colin Bowe enjoyed a double success.
Fort Worth Texas, having her first race and running in the colours of Leo McArdle got the lads off to a winning start by a neck in the maiden race for four year old mares.
The double came together when Bourbon Borderline in the Milestone Partnership colours sailed to a ten lenths victory in the second division of the maiden race for four year old geldings.
The runner-up was Oscarman, trained at Monageer by Michael Goff for James Nolan and ridden by Rob James.
Reigning champion Barry O’Neill leads the championship turning into 2019 with 20 winners, followed by Rob James on the 16-winner mark; Derek O’Connor who created history today by riding his 1,200th point-top-point winner is also on the 16-winner mark, and Jamie Codd is on 13.
However, Codd is expected to be out of action for a month after suffering a partially collapsed lung in a bad fall at the third flight in a handicap hurdle aboard Triumph Hurdle winner Farclas at Limerick on Friday.
Waterford handler Declan Queally leads the trainers’ table with 10 winners, but closely followed by Donnchadh Doyle (9) and Colin Bowe (8).