While the local point-to-point focus was firmly on Lingstown this weekend there was other Wexford winning connections with three winners for Barry O’Neill at Kirkistown in Co. Down yesterday, another for Jamie Codd at the same track, and at Boulta, Co. Waterford this afternoon, Ellen Doyle from Coolgarrow, Enniscorthy, saddled a winner at the Waterford venue.

While Ellen Doyle was leading in her winner at Lingstown – Acceptable Risk in the maiden race for six year olds and upwards – she was aware that she had an across the country double as French Light, in the colours of Jason Higgins, with Kilkenny rider John O’Neill, up, scored by one length in division two of the maiden race for four year olds on the Deise turf.

Up north yesterday, Barry O’Neill and Colin Bowe got off to a winning start with Askinvillar, in the Milestone Racing Partnership colours, winning the second division of the four year old maiden race by six lengths. “The ‘for sale’ sign is up,” quipped Bowe afterwards.

Then O’Neill teamed up with David Christie, the Fermanagh handler that he has ridden so many winners for over a number of years, and they won successive races; the Winner of One with On The Sod by a short-head (that was tight and a photo was required to sort it all out!), but it was easier in the Open Lightweight Race when Dylrow completed the double with four lengths to spare.

The final race at the North Down track went to Jim Dreaper’s Trimmers Lane by two lengths and a victorious opportunity for Jamie Codd.

Reigning champion Barry O’Neill heads the national riders’ championship with 15 winners followed by fellow Wexfordian Jamie Codd, while in the handlers’ title Colin Bowe and Denis Murphy are leading the field.