THE two-day Ormond point-to-point at Ballingarry, Roscrea is set, as is now the norm, to close the season over the Bank Holiday weekend and while it’s hard to predict what the ground will be like next Sunday and Monday with our unpredictable weather, the course will be aerated and watered if necessary.

Breeders will be drawn to the fact that there is a nomination to Bridge House Stud’s Sadler’s Wells stallion Let The Lion Roar, and €1,000, up for grabs while the leading handler over the two days will receive a tonne of oats sponsored by Dungar Quality Oats.

Non-horse owners might be more interested in having family fun, entering the dog show or the best dressed lady competition.

Monday’s meeting stages the final ladies’ open lightweight of the season and, back in 1978, when the fixture was just a one-day affair and took place on Sunday, April 16th, two lady riders fought out the finish of the older horses’ maiden.

Then, the great Sonny VI recorded his first win under Ros Easom as they got the better of Anthea Rainsbury and Happy Stranger by half a length.

John Berry and Tom Costello recorded a double apiece on Sunday, April 24th, 1988 but, in spite of there being a nine-race card on Sunday, May 24 in 1998, only Brian Hassett managed that feat.

That afternoon, a division of the mares’ maiden was won by the Lulu Olivefalk-partnered Burton Black while Enda Bolger landed the open on Elegant Lord.

Ten years later, racegoers could enjoy two days’ sport. There were nine races on Sunday, June 1st, when Jamie Codd recorded a four-timer, and one less the next day when the Wexford rider struck once while Derek O’Connor rode three winners.