THE highlight of the annual Tallow point-to-point races was a splendid treble by current southern region champion jockey Michael O'Connor, from Liscarroll, Mallow. Taking place on the lands of Grand National winning trainer Jimmy Mangan, at Shanakill Cross, Tallow, on Sunday, large fields, a huge attendance, thrilling finishes and perfect jumping ground all contributed to a terrific afternoon of sport.

O'Connor started his treble aboard the 1/1f Four Commanders in the opening 4-year old maiden, and jumping well throughout, went clear at the last to win by 8 lengths for tipperary trainer Pat Doyle and Gigginstown Stud.

This was the first time that O'Connor has ridden for the trainer and donned the owner's colours. This was his 215th career win, and his 12th win of the current season, in addition to 60 track winners.

He completed his double on Lomond Hall in a division of the 6/7-year old geldings maiden for trainer James Dullea, timing his effort to perfection at the second last to win readily by 4 lengths for owner Celia O'Driscoll.

Trainer Margaret O'Sullivan from Liscarroll, Mallow, who currently has the unique distinction of being the leading lady trainer in the southern circuit where she has her runners in top form, provided O'Connor with his hat trick with the generously priced 4/1 chance Alison's Choice.

He produced a power packed finish to get on top in the final 100 yards to win going away by two lengths for Durrow, Co Laois owner/ breeder Albert Baily. This was, in fact, Miss O'Sullivan's fourth Sunday in a row to visit the winners enclosure.

The open lightweight was ultra competitive, and was won in some style by On The Net, on which rider Con McSweeney was outstanding. Confidently ridden, the well-schooled sweet jumping winner was produced at the second last and went right away to score impressively by 4 lengths, providing the excellent Ballincollig amateur with his fourth career success.

The winner is trained at Ballyclough, Mallow, by Eoghan O'Grady, for his father Arthur, and will now be entered for the Christies Foxhunters chase at Cheltenham next month, and may appear at Killdorrery in two weeks time.

The concluding mares maiden division one, was a thriller, where That Wont Do, powerfully ridden by Damien Murphy, from Dromtariffe Mallow, battled back in splendid style after the last to get back up and win by a neck from Avondhu Lady, for local trainer Jimmy Mangan and Galway owner Frank O'Meara.

Trainer Mangan, had earlier won the confined, with Power Man, on which 21-year old amateur Eoin O'Brien from Mitchelstown excelled. Always traveling well, he held the challenge of Bob Almighty by two lengths for the fourth win of a most promising career.

Castletownroche Mallow rider, Richard Harding, produced a delightful front running drive, on the well supported 7/4 fav Ballyadam Approach, which went clear two out, to win impressively by 4 lengths for absent trainer Terence O'Brien, from Carrigtwohill, and owner Billy Horgan, from Carrigtwohill.

- Pat Griffin