For the second successive weekend Rob James has ridden a double and he goes to Tinahely tomorrow with the slightest advantage over the reigning champion, Barry O’Neill. James has a 50% strike rate, O’Neill is marginally behind on 36%. Both have ridden four winners as we reach the third weekend of the 20190’20 point-to-point season.

Saturday’s action was at Portrush, Co. Antrim where the maiden race for four year olds was run in two divisions due to a large entry. Press Your Luck in the Monbeg Syndicate colours  scored by two lengths in the first division for trainer Donnchadh Doyle, Ballindaggin, and the first leg of a dpuble on teh day for Rob James.  Caim rider Jordan Gainford rode two horses for northern handler, Warren Ewing, – Bold Soldier and Bold Enough – and both finished runners-up in division one and division two.

The maiden race for five year olds was won by Hard Ground, trained at Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh, by Denis Murphy for owner Alan Harte, ridden by Jamie Codd beating Whitechurch (Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill) by two and a half lengths.

Fermanagh handler David Christie trained a brace of winners, both ridden by Wexford jockeys. Barry O’Neill was aboard Eddies Miracle who won the Open Race by four lengths, and Rob James’ double was completed when Some Man ran out the five lengths winner of the Winner of Three race.