LISCARROLL, Mallow amateur Michael O'Connor, was the toast of the annual Carbury hunt Point to Point races, which took place before a hugh attendance, at Kilpatrick Bandon on Sunday last, where he scored a magnificent treble, with Lord Edenvale at 10/1, Lady Perspex 3/1, and Aughnacurraveel 1/1f. On the former in the 5 year old maiden, he was produced between runners, on the stiff uphill stretch to the finish, two from home, and getting a superb jump at the last, which sealed the issue, for a one length win from Timmies Gone.

Trained at Clonakilty by Ray Hurley who enthused: "He needed a copybook ride to win that, and Michael O'Connor did just that, he will go for a winners race next." He is owned by the Islanders syndicate, whose members include Pat Coakley, and Noreen Mc Carthy, from Clonakilty and spokesperson, Imelda Walsh, who purchased him as a three-year old at Goffs, and who currently is enjoying a marvelous run of success with her high class Island Peak, which has won its last three point-to-point races in style.

O'Connor completed a splendid double on Lady Perspex, which he produced with impeccable timing, two from home, and stayed on well, to win the 5/6 year old maiden, for Dungourney trainer James Sheehan, who nominated the Gain Final at Ballynoe next month, as the next target. The winning syndicate is headed by Jim Condon from Fermoy with the winner being bred by Michael O'Donovan from Waterpark Fermoy.

To complete a memorable afternoon, the current dual southern region champion, was seen at his brilliant best, in getting the heavily supported, ex track performer Aughna curraveel, to stay on with great resolution, from the last, to win a thriller by half a length, from Quarryvale, in the concluding winners of one event, bringing his seasonal total to 22 winners, with a career total of 220 winners, in addition to 60 track wins in a tremendous career to date.

Local Upton trainer Paul Moloney was on the mark with Iron Chancellor, on which rider James Hannon, from Tallow, was seen at his his most confident best in The Pegus qualifier. The well schooled sweetjumping winner went to the front three from home, and Hannon was able to survey the scene behind him with ease, before sprinting clear for a hughly impressive 10 length win for owners Garryhankard Stud, Upton. This was the talented rider's 26th win of his most successful career, in addition to one track win.

Castletownroche rider Richard Harding teamed up with trainer Liam Burke to win the 6 year old geldings maiden, by a most impressive sixlength margin on Witness Hill, which landed a touch from 7/2 to 2/1f.

Harding, who is race riding at his very best at present, was also on the mark at Bennettsbridge, Co Kilkenny the previous day with Royal Dellatinte, which was hugely impressive in winning by a distance for trainer Jim Dreaper and owner Alan Potts, owner of Sizing Europe, which provided him with his 14th win of the season, and his 133rd career win.

Division 2 of this contest saw a hugely impressive eight-length win for Merry in Moscow, which was given a splendid confident drive by Ciaran Fennessy, from Fermoy, who was gaining his 10th success of the season. The winner was well turned out by Eugene O'Sullivan from Lombardstown, who nominated a winner's event next if not sold in the meantime. The lucky owners are Connie Maune from Newcastlewest and Joe Buckley from Mallow.

Richard Good is the long-serving chairman of the organising committee, and spoke to The Corkman afterwards. "We are very happy with today's racing, with the weather being very kind to us. We had excellent entries, and everything went off smoothly. We are very grateful and thankful to our outstanding sponsors, whose support we greatly appreciate."

- Pat Griffin