Plenty of racing and plenty of success for Wexford connections at the Easter Sunday point-to-points held across the country in glorious weather conditions.
The team of jockey Jamie Codd and The Ballagh handler Denis Murphy struck twice in the first two races at Curraghmore, near Portlaw.
First time on the track, Grangeclare Native, had two and a half lengths to spare in the maiden race for four year old geldings, while Writteninthesand, who was third on his first outing, put the record straight with a three lengths victory in the maiden race for five year old geldings.
Rob James, Donnchadh Doyle and the Monbeg Syndicate team travelled to Quakerstown in Co. Clare and enjoyed a ten lengths success with The Big Breakaway, first time out, in the maiden test for four year olds.
Luke Murphy joined forces with Peter Flood’s Kildare stable to win the maiden race for five year old geldings with Kid Commando by ten lengths.
Jordan Gainford, (18), from Caim, Enniscorthy, enjoyed his first success in the saddle on Airgead Suas for owner Jim Whelan and handler, Paul Pierce, Blackhall Stud, Glynn, in the ‘older maiden’ race confined to novice riders at Oldcastle, Co. Meath.
Ballinesker, in the colours of Derek Tobin, and trained by Michael Goff, Monageer, was also successful at the Meath track. Ridden by Shane Fitzgerald, and running for the first time, Ballinesker finished strongly with eight lengths to the good in the maiden race for four years olds.
Shane Byrne, owner and handler from Blackwater, sent out Achy Breaky Heart in the Mares Winner of One, and with Simon Cavanagh up, won the second of her three races by three and a half lengths.
Barry O’Neill also chalked up a winner; Kruzhlinn for Gordon Elliott in the Open Race by 15 lengths.
It was a good week for the champion. They raced at Inch on the east Cork-west Waterford border last Wednesday and O’Neill shared a first two races double with Colin Bowe.
They won the four years old mares maiden race with Emtara owned by Kieran Cotter by two lengths and Broken Halo had six lengths to spare in the miaden race for four year old geldings.
Bree Hunt Club runs its second fixture of the season at Monksgrange, Rathnure, next Sunday with the first race off at 2 pm.
An auction race for four year olds, a Winner of Three, an Open Lightweight Race and three maiden races make up the card. Entries close at 12 noon on Tuesday.