With both Tralee and Dungarvan Point-to-Points postponed at the weekend due to waterlogged tracks, it was a case of all roads leading to Ballinaboola, New Ross where the local Wexford hunt staged their meet.

The track itself is a decent one, its left handed and is a full three miles where there are no hiding places, with the three fences up the straight keeping everyone honest.

We were treated to eight races with riding honours going to Jamie Codd who booted home a treble to move onto 26 winners for the season, just two clear of Derek O’Connor who was also on the score sheet here with one winner.

Codd opened his account in the thirteen runner winners of three contest on board 5/1 shot (from 7/4) Top Four from the Tony Martin yard.

However even Codd would agree that lady luck played a huge part in his victory.

Racing away from four out and Gerry Mangan kicked on with the hat trick seeking Lord Heathfield (7/2-6/4), within a matter of strides Lord Heathfield had put this contest to bed going on by 12L with the rest nowhere.

Three out and Lord Heathfield threw a big leap pecked slightly and sent Mangan out the side door, his demise left the well touted Schindlers Rock (4-10-7) David Byrne in front however at the last he was joined by Top Four and on the long run in Codd pushed out the 8 year old progeny of Karinga Bay to go on to score by 2½L from Schindler’s Rock.

Half an hour later Codd was back in the winners enclosure as seasonal debutante Warne (5/4-11/4) ran out a very impressive 7L victor of the nine runner open lightweight.

Best for money was the Jim Dreaper trained Royal De La Thinte (7/4-EV), however that money stayed in the satchels as this fellow under Jamie Flynn pulled himself up after two miles when dropping from first to last in a matter of strides.

Like Royal De La Thinte another market principal Fort George (5/2-7/2) was also sporting the Alan Potts colours however this fellow was partnered by Paul Power and trained by Henry De Bromhead.

Well up front Fort George was making the best of his way home along with Mandy Carroll (4-6) G Murphy whilst Warne gave chase some 4L back in third.

At the third last and Codd produced Warne with perfect timing to hit the front and after a brief battle got the upperhand of Mandy Carroll and once safely over the last the 9 year old progeny of Bob Back asserted to pull away and score by 7L from Mandy Carroll with Fort George some 8L further back in third.

The winner is trained by Brian Hamilton for Northern owners the Magill family and “this fellow will tip away in points and will tackle a hunter chase” commented Hamilton.

The Codd treble was completed by 4/6 shot (from 2/1) Liberty One who landed a split of the concluding older maiden.

Always handy Codd went for his race two out and subsequently quickened away from the remainder and once safely over the fifteenth and final obstacle the jolly pulled away to score by 8L from Dranagh’s Dream (5-10) the mount of Paul O’Neill.

The progeny of Milan is trained by Liam Kenny for long standing Gorey hotelier Tom Redmond and may contest a winners race next.

The first split of this contest went the way of the Michael McCullagh trained Candle Island (4-7) partnered by Shane McCullagh.

Produced to lead two out by McCullagh the 7 year old progeny of Heron Island was locked in battle with 6/4 shot (from 7/2) Scenic Route and Benny Walsh, there was little to choose between the pair over the last but on the level it was Candle Island who found the greater resolve to forge on to score by 2L from Scenic Route.

Racing got underway with the 5 year old Artic Tack sponsored 5 year old Geldings Maiden for which sixteen went to post.

This contest was run at a good old gallop throughout and with three to jump the Paul Power partnered Tis A Mystery (5/2-5) made the best of their way home and to his credit he battled gamely but he could not repel the late challenge of the Andrew Latta partnered Bendanella (6/4-7/2) who forged clear after the last and the recent Ballydarragh runner up went on to score by 2L from Tis A Mystery.

The winner is by Heron Island and is trained by the inform Donnchadh Doyle (also had a Killeagh winner), he (Bendanella) is now sales bound.

Thirty minutes later both Latta/Doyle were back in the winners enclosure as Maxis Lady (4-8) sluiced up in what looked on paper a weak contest.

With one to jump there was little to chose between both Maxis Lady and Simple Sums (4-10) Mikey Fogarty, at this and Maxis Lady looked to have the upperhand as Simple Sums crashed out, her demise allowed Maxis Lady to come home 3L to the good over Call Mrs Jones (5/2-4) and Jamie Codd.

The winner a progeny of Gold Well was completing a double for Andrew Latta and trainer Donnchadh Doyle continuing their good run.

Derek O’Connor moved onto the 24 winner mark by virtue of victory on board Down Ace (5/2-4) who went in by 8L for trainer Ross O’Sullivan.

Going down to the last the Jamie Codd partnered Just A Tick (4-5/4) and eventual winner Down Ace were locked together, but at this Just A Tick put down with Codd doing well to stay up now her chance was gone it simplified the task of Down Ace and the progeny of Generous went on to score by 8L.

One To Follow!!!

Kyle Boru (Edward Keating)

This lightly raced 6 year old Brian Boru mare looked heavy in the ring but ran a cracker only to slip up on the flat before the third last and if none the worse for this looks capable of landing a similar contest.

Winners of Three

1 Top Four (J J Codd), 2 Schindlers Rock (D J Byrne), 3 Indigo Rock (B O’Neill), 4 Survival (P J O’Neill). Dist: 2½L 2½ 2½L (13 ran) (Tony Martin).

Open Lightweight

1 Warne (J J Codd), 2 Mandy Carroll (G Murphy) (11.4), 3 Fort George (P Power), 4 Big Shu (M J Byrne). Dist: 7L 8L 7½L (9 ran) (Brian Hamilton).

7 year old and up Maiden Div 1

1 Candle Island (S McCullagh) (11.9), 2 Scenic Route (B Walsh), 3 Prince of Ivagh (J J King), 4 Out Of The Way (J P Kelly) (11.9). Dist: 2L 7L 4L (14 ran) (Michael McCullagh).

7 year old and up Maiden Div 2

1 Liberty One (J J Codd), 2 Dranaghs Dream (P J O’Neill) (11.9), 3 Master Marine (S McCullagh) (11.9), 4 Perky Bob (D J Byrne). Dist: 8L 6L 4L (13 ran) (Liam Kenny).

5 year old Gelding Maiden

1 Bendanella (R A Latta) (11.9), 2 Tis A Mystery (P Power), 3 Cross Avenue (K Sheehan) (11.9), 4 Supreme Danehill (C J Sweeney). Dist: 2L 5L ½L (16 ran).

5 and 6 year old Mares Maiden Div 1

1 Maxis Lady (R A Latta) (11.9), 2 Call Mrs Jones (J J Codd), 3 Lily or Killarney (B O’Neill). Dist: 3L 15L (10 ran, only 3 fin) (Donnchadh Doyle).

5 and 6 year old Mares Maiden Div 2

1 Down Ace (D O’Connor), 2 Just A Tick (J J Codd), 3 Who What Where When (R A Latta) (11.9), 4 Little King Robin (B O’Neill). Dist: 8L 8L 1L (10 ran) (Ross O’Sullivan).

6 year old Gelding Maiden

1 Lisclogher Lad (J P O’Rourke) (11.9), 2 Jamrham (J J Walsh) (11.9), 3 Am I There Yet (J J Slevin) (11.9), 4 Two Pounds of Butter (S Carey). Dist: 3L 3L ½L (14 ran) (S Walsh).