LOCAL rider Conor Walsh was the star of the show at Taghmon races in Wexford as the 11-year-old copper-fastened his grip on the national award for riders in the 12.2-14hh class with a treble.

Walsh’s first two winners were for the Listowel-based Curly Syndicate with Another Tiger foiling a brave front-running effort from the Luke Burke Ott-ridden veteran Tail To Tail.

Hello Star had her colours lowered in Glenbeigh but she resumed winning ways with a comprehensive victory as Walsh took over the ride for the first time in over two months.

The rider completed his treble in the 14hh race as Raynuso saw off her solitary rival, Tell The Story. Walsh then went on the win the local race for good measure as Pierces Cross won from the Eddie Codd-ridden Little Dolly.

Joey Sheridan helped himself to a double on the day, starting with One of The Boys in the 14.2hh race. They sat in third until the turn-in where he eased his way to the front to win from The Green Monkey.

Red Handed lost her Glenbeigh win following an appeal against the judges placings but she gained a quick consolation by landing the 15hh race for the Soft Touch Syndicate headed by Kevin McGillicuddy.

Sheridan tracked the front-running Amy’s Magic until taking control from over a furlong out to win snugly.

There was a number of false starts to the mile race and, when they finally got away, supporters of Four Penny Road would have feared that their hopes were gone as Shane Crosse’s mount lost about 10 lengths. However, Crosse didn’t panic and, making steady progress from half-way, he delivered him to lead in the last few strides for owner Des O’Sullivan.

Dylan Browne-McMonagle made the long journey from Donegal and he was rewarded with victory in the 10-furlong race. He sat out the back of the field early, on Athea Jade, before coming through to lead and stretch clear over the final furlong.

Martin McGuane’s recent buy Sleepy Lady repaid some of her purchase price as she landed the 12-furlong race in the hands of the owner’s son Mikey.

McGuane settled her at the back of the field early, before making progress from four furlongs out, and once he hit the front with two furlongs to travel, the result was never in doubt.

TAGHMON DERBY

The feature event of the day, the Taghmon Derby run over two miles, went to the Philip Byrnes-ridden Make Me. Having being prominent from flag-fall, Byrnes decided to force the pace from before half-way and he judged it to perfection from thereon, keeping enough in reserve to hold off the late challenge of The Poacher.

The concluding race on the card, a maiden over 10 furlongs went to the Innishannon, Co. Cork-based Tyner stable. Something I Need led from just over half-way in the hands of Ross Sugrue, with Let’s Go Kiddo staying on well to take second under Michael O’Connor.

North-West: The Finn Valley Races, postponed from last week, will be run at Russells Farm Killygordon, Co. Donegal, tomorrow, Sunday Sept 17th, with a 2.30pm start.

SOUTH: The region race at Ballyferriter Races on Beal Ban Strand near Dingle, on Sunday September 24th with a 12pm start. Athea races, scheduled for Sunday October 1st, will close the season and will have a 1pm start.

RESULTS

Sunday, September 10th

12.2HH Race (7F): 1, Curly Syndicate’s ANOTHER TIGER (Conor Walsh); 2, Three County Syndicate’s TAIL TO TAIL (Luke Burke Ott); 3, C. Verling’s HERE COMES THE PAIN (Patrick Verling).

13.2HH Race (9F): 1, Curly Syndicate’s HELLO STAR (Conor Walsh); 2, O’Sullivan/King’s CARRIG AVA (Mikey Sheehy); 3, J. Doyle’s MYSTERIOUS LADY (Michael Doyle).

14HH Race (9F): 1, Five County Syndicate’s RAYNUSO (Conor Walsh); 2, B. Sexton’s TELL THE STORY (Daniel King).

14.2HH Race (12F): 1, Five County Syndicate’s ONE OF THE BOYS (Joey Sheridan); 2, R. McMahon’s THE GREEN MONKEY (Dylan Browne McMonagle); 3, R. King’s OOPSY DAISY (Daniel King).

15HH Race (12F): 1, Soft Touch Syndicate’s RED HANDED (Joey Sheridan); 2, E. Hayes AMY’S MAGIC (Daniel King); 3, A. Browne’s DODGE THE BULLET (Dylan Browne McMonagle).

Open Horse Race (1M): 1, D. O’Sullivan’s FOUR PENNY ROAD (Shane Crosse); 2, B. Maher’s MAN OF STEEL (Mikey Sheehy): 3, P.J. Moloney’s RAZZLE DAZZLE (Ross Sugrue).

Open Horse Race (10F): 1, A. Browne’s ATHEA JADE (Dylan Browne McMonagle); 2, Three County Syndicate’s GOOD TIMES AHEAD (Michael O’Connor); 3, R. Sugrue’s TOP OF THE HILL (Ross Sugrue).

Open Horse Race (12F): 1, C. Byrnes SLEEPY LADY (Michael McGuane); 2, C. Byrnes BASH IT ON (Philip Byrnes); 3, A. Browne’s LET IT GO (Michael O’Connor).

Taghmon Derby (2M): 1, C. Byrnes MAKE ME (Philip Byrnes); 2, J. Collins’s THE POACHER (Shane Crosse); 3, R. Sugrue’s FORGIVE AND FORGET (Ross Sugrue).

Maiden Horse (10F): 1, Tyner Syndicate’s SOMETHING I NEED (Ross Sugrue); 2, Three County Syndicate’s LET’S GO KIDDO (Michael O’Connor); 3, DHOK Syndicate’s DARRAGH’S MAGIC (Rory King).

Local Pony Race (7F): 1, Curly Syndicate’s PIERCES CROSS (Conor Walsh); 2, E. Codd’s LITTLE DOLLY (Eddie Codd); 3, T/A Barry’s LISTOWEL LADY (Brian Barry).