THE 2014/15 point-to-point season drew to a close on a very cold and wet June day which was more like the middle of winter. Jamie Codd was awarded the leading rider for the meeting, but due to his engagement in both the hunters chase and bumper at Listowel was not able to collect the award.

Codd left the track after he took the Goffs maiden race for four-year-olds aboard the Philip Dempsey trained Tara Gig. The chesnut son of Marienbard is out of an unraced half-sister to Tropical Lady, an eight time flat winner for Jim Bolger, he is also a half-brother to bumper winner Kilbarry Classic. Winning handler Dempsey commented: “He is a big racy sort, who will now be offered for sale.’’

On the run to the final fence, Woodfleet was sent for home under Pa King but he soon weakened and Codd had challenged him at the last with the Richie Deegan-partnered Blackmill also a danger. Tara Gig found most on the run to the line. This was the winner’s third start but he fell at the first on his debut so effectively he has only two runs to his credit. He had pulled up at Laurencetown previously.

MARES’ MAIDEN

The Seamus Malone & GLB Syndicate six-year-old mares’ maiden went to Twiss’s Hill. The improving daughter of Acambaro was ridden to an easy 16-length win over Secret Serenade by Pa King who had come close in the opening four-year-old maiden.

The winning handler Harry Kelly commented: “She is a very nice type, I thought she would win today, she will be offered for sale now.’’ Twiss’s Hill is owned jointly by her breeder Eamon Durack and Kieron Ryan both from Birdhill, Nenagh.

A field of 16 went to post for the Jimmy Neville Memorial race for six-year-old maiden geldings. Double Island, a son of Turtle Island, who led from three out, stayed on well from the last to score by three lengths from So Influential. An unexposed sort for this type of contest he was making just his third start here and had been a very promising second at Athlacca on his previous outing.

So Influential stayed on strongly in the closing stages but couldn’t get on terms and this pair were a distance clear of the remainder. The winner was ridden by James Walsh for his father John who also owns the gelding in partnership with his brother Eddie. Eddie commented: “He belonged to our father Jim who died last year so we decided to keep him on between us.’’

FIRST WINNER

The Liffey Mills mares’ open race saw 19-year-old Tommy Brett record his initial points’ winner aboard the John Ryan-owned and trained Ballyadam Dancer. The eight-year-old daughter of Revoque made most under Brett, who is from Templemore, to score by a distance.

Ballyadam Dancer is now a four-time points’ winner and having originally considered covering the mare, Ryan was more inclined to let her continue to race over the summer. He confirmed he had not had her right for much of the season but she seemed to be back to her best now and she could be capable of winning under rules in the coming weeks based on this performance.

GOOD BATTLE

A good battle was witnessed in the Bike Park Ireland and Fairymount Farm winners of two race between Rosc Catha and Done En Dusted. The 10-year-old son of Saddlers’ Hall, Rosc Catha held a narrow advantage from the second last but Done En Dusted battled on well without managing to head the winner.

The winner is trained by Eoin Larkin and was ridden by his cousin Shauna, who was recording her second career winner, and is often seen partnering the Enniskillen College runners throughout the season as she is based at the CAFRE campus.

Nineteen years old, Aaron Sinnott from Enniscorthy in Co Wexford took the concluding race of the season, the eight-year-old and upwards maiden for novice riders aboard Gem And I. This was Sinnott’s first points’ success on only his third ride.

The winning mare is trained by Michael Rice for his wife Siobhan, who incidentally did not see her mare win as she decided not to venture out from the car in the extreme conditions. The winning handler commented: “She will get a nice break now and when we bring her back in she will either go back for a winners’ race or for a mares’ beginners’ chase.”

Tradman was sent for home four out and opened up a clear lead but Sinnott remained patient and gradually reeled the leader in to hit the front in the closing stage and win comfortably.