Two divides, an eight-race card with 99 horses facing the starter, an 11 o’clock start and doubles for handlers Ellen Doyle of Baltimore Stables, Coolgarrow, Enniscorthy, and Donnchadh Doyle, Ballindaggin were the highlights at cold and showery Borris House point-to-point today.

Askthebosslady was a six lengths winner for Ellen Doyle in the second division of the maiden race for four-year-old mares. “a big run was expected from the daughter of Ask and I will consult the winning owner Billy Yorke (from Wicklow) before setting her a plan for the future,” said the victorious handler afterwards.

Half an hour later and Ellen Doyle had another reason to celebrate. Do The Floss, fourth in his two previous outings won by ‘a distance’ in the first division of the maiden race for four-year-old geldings. Jockey John O’Neill shared Doyles’ double on his home track.

Donnchadh Doyle won the first division of the maiden race for four-year-old mares with Paradise Run, by two lengths with Brian Lawless up, and the handlers’ brother, Eamon Doyle said the mare is for sale.

Donnchadh’s double was achieved in the second division of the maiden race for four-year-old geldings and an eight lengths victory for Hometown Hero ridden by James Walsh, Shillelagh, who handled the ground with ease and ran out a promising winner. Colin Bowe’s Getaway Milani (Barry O’Neill) was disputing the lead when coming down at the final obstacle.

Sean Doyle also saddled a winner. What About Time ridden by Jamie Scallan, Tomhaggard, had five lengths to spare in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings.

Seventeen runners faced the starter in the Open Lightweight Race confined to novice riders, there were no fallers, and 15 came home with a clear round. Eddies Miracle (Ben Harvey) who made the long journey from David Christie’s stables in Fermanagh took the prize by a neck in one of the closest finishes seen at a point-to-point all season. Christie saddled three in this competitive race and they finished first, second and fourth!

The local team of Aidan Fitzgerald and Richie Deegan were successful with Katoune Tara, owned by Joanne Morrissey, by five lengths in the maiden race for five-year-old mares.

The final race of the day went to Tipperary and Added Time who was a first winner for David Loughnane, (19), for his father Ray Loughnane.

Carlow Farmers’ Hunt introduced an ‘almost new’ group to ensure the smooth running of today’s fixture, and while the entries were up and divides were called for, everybody worked well, and it was a very successful day’s action and a fine attendance.

WEXFORD STABLES WERE ALSO SUCCESSFUL ELSEWHERE TODAY

While Ellen Doyle and Donnchadh Doyle were doubling up at Borris House both had a winner apiece at the Tattersalls Farm fixture with Donnchadh saddling Jerminnie Green to win the mares five-year-old maiden race by a dozen lengths and the first leg of a double for Kiltealy rider Rob James.

James was aboard Crossing Lines for Ellen Doyle in the Winner of One race, coming home comfortably, to give the Baltimore Stables handler her seventh success of the season with an impressive 47% strike rate.

Colm Murphy from Ballindrummin, Killena, was back in the winner’s enclosure when Es Perfecto, ridden by Jimmy O’Rourke, scored by twelve lengths in second division of the four year old geldings race. Afterwards Murphy said he would like to hold on to Es Perfecto, but the owner (Paul McKeon) is sending him to the sales.

Division one of this contest also came Wexford way. Crossabeg handler Liz Doyle saddled Valleres with Finian Maguire up and they held on by half-a-length in an exciting finish.

And to make it a memorable day for Wexford, Daryl Deacon saddled Call It Time, owned and bred by his father, Willie Deacon, Belmont House, Clonroche, the 10 lengths victor in the maiden race for six-year-old and over confined to novice riders. Marian McElliogott was the successful rider. Afterwards, Daryl Deacon indicated that he will take Call It Time to Limerick for a hunter’s chase over the Christmas.

There was also racing at Dungourney, Co. Cork, today where the husband and wife team, owner and handler, Caitriona and Michael Goff, Clondaw, Monageer, won the first division of the maiden race for four year old geldings with newcomer Clondaw Secret, by two lengths, and ridden by Shane Fitzgerald.