THE 2012 point-to-point season opened at the superb flagship course at Dromore Dromahane on Saturday last, owned by the O Brien family, where Kanturk Duhallow Hunt promoted a most successful well attended meeting, in ideal weather conditions.

Star of the show, on an exciting eight-race card, was the performance of Lady Milano, 5/4 to 1/1f, in the 4-year old mares maiden, which was hugely impressive in winning by two lengths from More Talk. Trained at nearby Lombardstown by Eugene O'sullivan, she was confidently ridden by champion point-to-point rider Derek O'connor, from Gort.

This was a memorable family success, as Eugene explained: "She is a real good mare, and is owned by my brother William, and my two sisters, Maeve Mccartan, and Ann. She was purchased as a foal in Tattersalls. All the credit for this win must go to my 19year old daughter Maxine, who did all the hard work and schooling in preparation for today. She would have been on board today, but she unfortunately broke her leg and is currently recuperating.

"She is now full time with me, and is a major asset to the yard. She will commence her course in the national stud next month. I expect to run the mare in a mares bumper early in the new year."

The opening 4-year old division went to the James Sheehan Dungourney trained, Ballybough Pat, under a strong drive from Declan Queally. Sheehan described his highly rated winner as "not yet the finished article. The softer the ground the better for him, I think he can win a big chase in the future."

Division two saw Ballincollig amateur Con Mcsweeney, at his very best, on 10/1 chance Boss Croaker, prevailing by a neck from War Correspondent, for Innishannon trainer Robert Tyner, and the Clonakilty syndicate, headed by former Minister for Agriculture Joe Walsh. The clearly useful 4 year old, was purchased last spring from John Costelloe in Clare.

The 5-year old Pegus qualifier saw Mallow jockey Richard Harding at his outstanding best on Ruapehu, a 5/1 chance, which outstayed Flan the Man by a neck in a thrilling finish for Glengoura trainer Liam Burke, and English owners Paul Barber and Charles Whitaker.

Division 2 went to Ballincurrig, which was a hugely impressive five-length winner, under a fine drive by Charleville amateur James Carroll, for Charleville trainer Denis Leahy.

In the confined event Mountain Lough, produced with precision timing, by Charleville amateur Barry John Foley at the last, went right away to score impressively by eight lengths, for Gortmore Banteer trainer Louis Archdeacon, and Ballingarry owners Pat and Marie Byrnes, and will contest a winners of one shortly.

In the open lightweight Footy Facts under a vintage Derek O'connor drive, prevailed by a neck from Salsify, for Robert Tyner, and Riverstick owner Maurice Kelliher.

The concluding mares Gain Qualifier, saw former champion points rider John Thomas Mcnamara, at his brilliant best on Umbrella, which strayed on well from the last, to win by less than a length from Fade in, for Charleville trainer Denis Leahy, who was completing a double.

The heavily supported 9/2 to 2/1 favourite is owned by Michael O'riordan from Twopothouse, Mallow, who said: "She was purchased at Doncaster sales twelve months ago. I have maintained my 100 per cent record here as I owned Handsome Dan, which was a previous winner here, with my first runner.

"She had run very well at Lingstown earlier this month and was entitled to win this."

- Pat Griffin