All the colour and results from Fairwood
A big crowd turned out for the first point to point meeting of 2018 last Sunday morning.
Weather conditions were favourable and a great day’s racing was enjoyed by many.
The first race, for five and sixyear-old maiden mares, kindly sponsored by Weatherbys Ireland, was won by ‘Bold Sky’ which is bred and owned by William Devereux, owner of The Farmers Kitchen Hotel in Wexford and trained by William Codd.
It was ridden by William’s brother, Jamie Codd, and made all the running.
The runner-up was ‘She’s All Vintage’ ridden by Fergal Harford with Barry O’Neill in third on board the Colin Bowe trained ‘Its All A Lark’.
The second race, for five and six-year-old maiden geldings, kindly sponsored by Tattersalls Ireland, was won by the Colin McKeever trained ‘Kapgarry’ as he gamely kept going to hold off the Donnchadh Doyle trained ‘Donitedabait’ ridden by Barry O’Neill with James Walsh in third place on ‘Tricks and Trails’ trained by Sean Doyle.
The feature race, the Open sponsored by Slaney Foods was won by ‘Marinero’ making a winning debut for trainer David Christie and was ridden by Barry O’Neill.
In second place, just a half length back, was the Ballindenisk recent winner, ‘Carrignagapple’, owned and trained by Cathy Hamilton.
The fourth race, the Winners of One, very kindly sponsored by John Kenny, Central House Shillelagh, saw ‘John’Choice’ a very popular winner for Joe Kenny from Moylisha, Tullow, and ridden by James Walsh.
He was very patiently ridden by James and took up the running on the approach to the straight and held off the well-supported favourite ‘Well Bill’ ridden by Jamie Codd in a thrilling finish.
The fifth race, for seven-year-old upwards maiden mares, sponsored by Germaine’s Hotel, Baltinglass, and Gain Feeds, was won by another Wexford owner/trainer, Pat Doyle from Courtown. ‘Lady Mangan’ run out a convincing winner for Conor Murphy with ‘Vivalino’ in the runners-up place in the hands of Richie Deegan.
The final race of the day, for seven-year-old and upwards maiden geldings, was sponsored by AgriMaster Farm Insurance & Casey Enterprises was won by ‘Lighting Tunes’ trained by Peter Maher and ridden by Nile O’Rourke following up his second place here in October last. ‘Arch Chancelor’, ridden by C M Healy, was in second place.