CASEY Jem (4/6 favourite) was the first of four winning favourites to score on the day when taking the winners of one for Wexford handler Richard Black.

Having just his third start, the son of Jeremy was reappearing between the flags having been led out unsold for £65,000 at the Cheltenham February Sale after taking his maiden by a distance at Tallow.

Ridden once again by Luke Murphy here, the five-year-old was never far from the pace before staying-on gamely in the closing stages to see off Clutch by two lengths.

“We took him to the sales but when he didn’t sell the owners were happy to have a bit of fun with him. He is improving and getting stronger all the time, I might aim him at a hunter chase at Mallow over Easter. I have around 15 in, mostly four-year-olds,” stated the handler of the James Casey-owned gelding.

THIRD WINNER

Up and coming rider Paul Bannon is enjoying his best season to date and partnered his third winner this term aboard Trickey Trix (2/1 favourite) who took the older mares’ maiden on what was her fifth start.

Sporting the colours of Patrick Mackan, the seven-year-old was certainly not winning out of turn here, having filled the runner-up berth on her previous two starts.

Sent about her business before the penultimate obstacle, the daughter of Mahler soon opened up a commanding advantage, seeing off Awesome Lady by eight lengths at the line.

“She was due a twist as she is a tough genuine mare who stays and jumps well. She might go to the track now, although I might see if I can find a winners’ race for her first,” commented successful handler Dermot Mcloughlin.

Johnny Barry enjoyed a winner on both days of the two-day meeting and teamed up with handler Aidan Howard to take the adjacent maiden on Sunday with Walshestown (5/4 favourite).

Out of a half-sister to Thunder And Roses, the son of Flemensfirth was getting off the mark at the first time of asking here in the colours of Claire Berry. Given a waiting ride, the imposing sort powered clear in the home straight to account for Sastruga by four lengths.

“He is a grand big horse that took a bit of time. Johnny gave him a lovely patient ride and he really liked him. We will have a chat with the owner now and see what they want to do,” commented Barry Cash representing the handler who was saddling runners on the flat in Naas.

GOOD WINNER

The Maurice Walsh-owned Fenno’s Storm (1/3 favourite) took the ladies open in good fashion under Liz Lalor who moves ever closer in her pursuit of becoming the winning-most lady point-to-point rider to date.

Providing handler Declan Queally with his 20th winner of the season, the nine-year-old was following up on his recent success in the Tetratema at Gowran Park.

Having jumped well at the head of proceedings, the son of September Storm saw off a strong challenge from the runner-up Holly Flight to win by four lengths.

Declan Queally senior, representing the absent handler, eluded afterwards: “We will keep him in if the ground stays soft and he might go for the Joseph O’Reilly at Fairyhouse. He won’t get into the Irish National unfortunately, but we might go somewhere with him Sunday week.

“It was great to have Liz (Lalor), she is phenomenal.”

Ashleigh Murphy and Tiernan Roche have been enjoying a good association of late and the pair teamed up to take the opening five-year-old mares’ maiden with Howya Hun (7/2).

This was a long overdue success for the daughter of Stowaway, who was getting off the mark at sixth time of asking, having previously been placed in both four-year-old maidens and in winners’ company on her last start at Lingstown.

Carrying the colours of the handlers husband Michael, the bay battled on gamely in the closing stages to see off the previously placed Racks Cross by a length.

Gary Murphy was on hand to represent connections and said: “She deserved that, as she had ran a few big races this season. She is a fine straightforward mare and they might go for a winners’ race with her if she isn’t sold.”

Perseverance certainly paid off for the connections of Krisquin (8/1) who made it 13th time lucky when taking the older maiden for Shane Nolan.

A spare ride for Pa King, the eight-year-old was never too far from the pace and came to challenge the even-money favourite Cosmic Flight at the penultimate obstacle.

With the latter throwing away his chance with a blunder at the final fence, the successful son of Kris Kin was well positioned to capitalise, holding on in the closing stages to win by a length and a half in the colours of the Moyville Racing Syndicate.

“That was well overdue. He had shown a bit of from early on and then lost his way. I just freshened him up and I am delighted for his owners, a lot of people would have given up on him but they wanted to give him another chance.

“We will look for a winners of one now in four or five weeks’ time,” stated the handler.

Hospitality tent

THE committee, volunteers and hunt members of the Brosna’s have quite a work load on their hands considering they organise one of the few two-day fixtures on the calendar.

It was commendable to see a hospitality tent in place which provided complementary refreshments to all those who helped to make the fixture a success. The show of thanks was certainly appreciated by many.

Racing club

THE Irish National Stud Breeding & Racing Club were out in force at Durrow to support the Ross O’Sullivan-trained Thunder And Roses.

The former Irish Grand National winner ran his usual gallant race to finish third in the ladies open. Those involved in the club got to welcome the 12-year-old back into the winner’s enclosure where they received a full debrief from both rider and handler.

Drug testing

THE IHRB had previously announced that they were to commence random the random drug testing of riders at point-to-points and the first of such tests took place on Sunday with riders being asked to provide urine samples in a mobile facility close to the weigh tent.

First ride

MEATH-native Rebecca McIntyre had her first ride between the flags when partnering Freddy’s Boy in the winners of one. Unfortunately the 12-year-old struggled to overcome a 1757-day layoff and was pulled up with over circuit to race.

The 20-year-old has also had two rides under rules to date for Keith Clarke and Gearoid O’Loughlin.

HORSE TO FOLLOW

HOLLY FLIGHT (P. O’Flynn): Ran a huge race to finish second to Fenno’s Storm in the ladies open. Having got the better of the prolific Longhouse Music at Dungarvan in January on her open debut, she shaped with plenty of promise here on what was her second start between-the-flags. She held every chance after the penultimate obstacle and lost little in defeat on this occasion.