The weekend point-to-point fixtures got off to a flying start at Kirkistown in North Down today where Barry O’Neill extended his lead at the top of the riders’ table with a double and the first three home in the maiden race for four year olds were all from Wexford stables.

All runners in the four-year-old maiden race were competing for the first time and the result was a seven lengths victory for Holymacapony in the colours of George Williams and trained at Ballypreacus, Bunclody, by Cormac Farrell. Simon Cavanagh was in the saddle. Runner-up was Grady Hollow (Barry O’Neill) for Colin Bowe and third was Barchello (Jamie Codd) trained by Denis Murphy at Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh.

Barry O’Neill’s double began aboard David Christie’s Winged Leader by seven and a half lengths in the Open Lightweight Race and half an hour later in the Winners of Two the Ballindaggin rider made it a double on the Colin Bowe trained Mt Leinster Gold, owned by international opera performer Anthony Kearns from Kiltealy, who has now won three of his four races, The verdict was three and a half lengths.

Jordan Gainford from Caim was also amongst today’s winners. The 18-year-old was aboard Will Carver for Antrim handler Warren Ewing who came home six lengths to the good in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings.

POINT-TO-POINT FIXTURE LIST 2020.

March 1^st, Carlow Farmers Hunt at Borris House.

March 8^th; Killinick Harriers at Lingstown, Tomhaggard.

March 29^th; Bree Hunt at Monksgrange, Rathnure.

April 5^th; The Island Hunt at Ounavarra, Courtown.

April 19^th; Bree Hunt at Monksgrange, Rathnure.