DROMTARIFFE amateur jockey Damien Murphy, who recently celebrated his 250th point to point win, was seen at his brilliant best on Rudi Trucker, which was a game winner of the 3ml hunters chase at Thurles races on Thursday last for Conna (Fermoy) trainer Jimmy Mangan.

Well placed from the outset in second, he committed and went for home, over seven fences from home and despite jumping to his left, at the sixth and fifth last, still had the call.

Racing to the second last, he was strongly pressed by Cloughmile, but in a thrilling last fence set to Murphy showed his strength and vast experience, as he powerfully drove for the line, which he reached, with a hard earned half a length to spare to the relief of The Conna Syndicate which own him and who availed of the 9/4 morning price which was available. Trainer Mangan said post race that going left handed in future should him better, where he will contest some more hunter chases.

TREBLE FOR RUSSELL AT

THURLES RACES

YOUGHAL jockey Davy Russell, is in unstoppable form at present, and landed a splendid treble, at Thurles races on Thursday last, on Tally Em Up, in the Grade 3 mares novice chase, to add to her success in a similar grade at this venue 10 days earlier. He completed a double on Politeo, which won the four year old hurdle, and completed a great day with Cool Dude Luke, which gained a most impressive win in the 2ml 6f Novice hurdle.

DOUBLE FOR TOWNEND AT

LIMERICK RACES

LISGOOLD Midleton Jockey Paul Townend , scored a splendid double at Limerick races on Sunday last, with Sounds of Jupiter, which won the opening maiden hurdle, for Ballingarry Co Limerick trainer Charles Byrnes, and The Kings Sword, which was a hughly impressive 12 length winner of the 2ml 6 f maiden hurdle for Kilkenny trainer Kieran Purcell.

TREBLE FOR HARDING AT

CARRIGTWOHILL

CASTLETOWNROCHE Mallow amateur Richard Harding, was in brilliant winning form, at Carrigtwohill point to point races on Sunday last, where he scored a splendid treble victory.

He won the opening confined, on 6/1 chance Saigheada Beaga, for local trainer Terence O Brien, and the local Little Arrows Syndicate, by a head , in a thrilling finish with Flatley. He completed a superb double, with the hughly impressive Rangittoto, the five lengths winner of five year old geldings maiden for trainer Liam Burke and completed his treble, aboard 6/1 chance, Karen Mag, in the five to six year old mares maiden for in form trainer Margaret O'Sullivan from Liscarroll Mallow and owner PJ O'Driscoll.

Conna trainer former top amateur Paul Tobin sent out Galway Jack under Derek O Connor who scored a treble, to win a division, of the 5 y o geldings maiden, by over two lengths, from Join Together.

My Boy Paddy trained at Dungourney by Denis Aherne, was a most impressive three length winner, of the six year old Pegus qualifier.

Liscarroll amateur Michael O'Connor, from Liscarroll Mallow, scored a most impressive two length win in the winners of one event on Island Peak for Cork Waterford PRO Imelda Walsh and also had the distinction of training the winner, which is expected to contest another point, followed by a hunters chase. Ballinclasha Midleton owner trainer Dan Rohan was on the mark, with Be My All Star, which won the winners of two by three lengths under Derek O'Connor.

At Askeaton Point to Point races on Saturday Conna amateur John Barry was seen at his brilliant best, on Kilcolman , which battled on well, under a most determined drive, from the saddle to win a most competitive Open Lightweight , for local owner / breeder / trainer Lisa McCormac.

Point to Point racing, continues on Sunday at Shanakill Cross Conna Fermoy on the lands of trainer Jimmy Mangan at 12.30pm.

- Pat Griffin