KILWORTH and Araglin point-to-point, which took place at Ballynalacken, Kilworth on Saturday, saw jockey Colman Sweeney record a superb double.

The Castlelyons amateur won the opening 4-year old maiden by half a length under a fine drive, on Global Power, which prevailed in a thrilling finish with Minella Break for Wexford trainer JP Brennan.

He completed a fine double on Turtle Gale on which he was seen at his very best, in the winners of two, winning impressively by 4 lengths, having been prominent all through, for Ballyduff trainer Pat O'Connor, bringing his seasons total to 10 winners, with a career total of 171 in addition to 42 track successes.

In the Pegus qualifier Blarney Highwayman trained by in-form Mallow trainer Adrian Maguire was a most impressive 5length winner under a fine drive by Tipperaey rider John Ryan. Maguire was most impressed explaining to The Corkman: "I think this is a very exciting horse, he could be a bit special, and he will contest a bumper next."

He is owned by Caroline and Charles Myers from Fermoy, who were enjoying their very first winner, and related that they got him as a present from Hugo Merry from Kilshanig Stud, Rathcormac.

Nineteen-year old Larry Murphy from Fermoy produced an outstanding riding performance on Cloudy Dawn in the second division of the Pegus qualifier, making every yard of the running to score by two lengths for Rathbarry, Fermoy trainer Paul Cashman and his father owner Liam.

A winner's race is planned, if not sold in the meantime. This was the excellent riders 8th career success.

The appropriately and aptly named Health Is Wealth, trained by Jimmy Mangan at Conna, and ridden by Jamie Codd, were most impressive 8-length winners of the confined, having given a smart jumping and staying performance. The winner is owned and bred by Barry Fenton from Fermoy, and may next contest a winner's event.

Cork football manager Conor Counihan celebrated his first racing success with Farrell's Fancy, which was a most impressive 3length winner of the 6-year old geldings maiden, under Derek O'Connor, and the Ber Bua syndicate.

The riding performance of the day was given by 18year old Francis McCurtin from Coolroe, Fermoy in the novice riders maiden, on Bleudawn.

Travelling well throughout, he made a bad mistake at the second last, on which the rider performed heroics to keep the partnership intact. Showing a maturity far beyond his years, he quickly got his mount on an even keel, and went in pursuit of the 6 length leader, which he overtook after the last to get up for a thrilling half length win for his mentor trainer John Joe Walshe from Doneraile, and owner Celeste Walsh.

The concluding division of the novice rides race saw a hughly impressive all the way win for Drain Hopper, which was given a most confident drive by John M O'Connor from Rathkeale, who is attached to the Charles Byrnes stable at Ballingarry Co Limerick. The winner is trained by former accomplished amateur John Rice at nearby Billeragh Araglin, who had the pleasure of riding his own Quarryfield Lass to victory in a Killdorrery point-to-point in 2002, and at Navan in 2004, for his partner Winnie Shanahan.

Their were scenes of great joy in the winners enclosure as John was showered with good wishes, from all quarters. He purchased the winner at Goresbridge as a 4-year old, and had been placed at Necarne in the north last May.

- Pat Griffin