THE Westmeath Foxhounds opened proceedings in the eastern region for the 2018-19 point-to-point season at Castletown-Geoghegan on Sunday and it proved to be a day to remember for Meath handler Peter Flood who registered a first career treble.
Flood’s first winner of the afternoon came courtesy of the Hugh Mulvihill-owned Star Wizard (7/4 – 2/1) who claimed the winners of two contest in a thrilling finish. 
The son of Wizard King had to work hard in the closing stages to get up and deny long-time leader Lisnagreggan by a neck. Star Wizard received the biggest cheer of the day when returning to the winner’s enclosure, as he is owned by Hugh Mulvihill, who was also acting as the clerk of the scales on the day.
Winning handler Flood remarked afterwards: “We thought he would go close today and would be hard to beat. He loves the quick ground and he kept on well for Anthony (Fox). I am delighted for Hugh (Mulvihill), as he is a great owner to have in the yard. We will step him up next and may go for a ladies or novice riders open.”
The 2017 champion point-to-point horse Ourmanmassini (9/4-2/1) was back to winning ways with a comprehensive victory in the open lightweight for novice riders.
The 10-year-old excelled on the quick conditions and kept on gamely in the closing stages to score by four lengths. The son of Dr Massini had been running on the track over the summer with a couple of decent placed efforts to his name, and he carried the colours of Teresa Flood, mother of the winner handler, to success.
“It’s great to see him back winning. He had been running well on the track over the summer and had being sneaking up the handicap without winning, so we decided to come point-to-pointing,” reported Flood. “I was delighted to give Paul (Bannon) a winner as he was a great help to me over the summer and is now based with Jim Dreaper.”
The former point-to-point rider recorded his third victory of the afternoon when winning the concluding six-year-old and upwards maiden with track recruit Major Davis (6/4 favourite).
The six-year-old, who was previously with Warren Greatrex, took to this new sphere well with a solid victory over the Harry Kelly-trained Kiera Royale. The son of Vision D’Etat was partnered by Anthony Fox, who enjoyed a double on the day.
An elated Flood stated afterwards: “That was my first treble. We thought they all had chances today so it was great that they all won. We bought him at the Ascot Sale for £3,500 and he was the one we thought couldn’t be beaten today. He has been doing everything right at home, and he will probably go for a winners’ race next.”
FLYING START
Champion rider Barry O’Neill and champion handler Colin Bowe got their respective seasons off to a flying start with O’Neill riding a treble and Bowe saddling a double at the Westmeath venue. Pennyforapound (5/2-7/2) supplied the Wexford duo with their first winner of their afternoon when landing the opening Goffs UK Autumn Point-to-Point Sale four-year-old maiden.
The son of Winged Love settled well in behind the leaders and mounted his challenge approaching the second-last fence, before staying-on well to deny Glengar by four lengths.
“They went an awful gallop early on. Our fellow is a straightforward individual, everything comes very easy to him,” reported Bowe. “He is a clever sort who has a bright future ahead of him.”
The top Wexford combination didn’t have to wait long to register their second winner of the afternoon when landing the following Mullingar Agri Store five & six-year-old mares’ maiden with Lively Beat (6/4-5/2).
The Beat Hollow mare carried the colours of Peter Brophy from Kilkenny and the Brophy family are very successful breeders, who also bred this individual as well as the top-class track performer Voler La Vedette, who won the Grade 1 Hattons Grace at Fairyhouse in 2011.
Bowe also revealed that he trained the winning mare’s dam Lively Lass to win two point-to-points, before also adding: “She has improved well over the summer and lived up to the promise that she had shown at Bartlemy. It is great for the Brophy family who are big supporters of mine.”
The Paul Nolan-trained Shawshank (2/1-7/2) supplied Barry O’Neill with his third winner of the afternoon when landing the My Dream Boat five and six-year-old geldings’ maiden.
The son of Presenting, who had one previous run under his belt, appeared to relish the underfoot conditions and showed great battling qualities when staying on well on the run-in to deny Gaye Breeze by a length and a half.
The €40,000 sales purchase is owned by Colm Browne from Waterford who has been an owner with the Nolan yard for many years. Conor Walsh, who was representing the winning handler, stated: “He is a grand big horse who really enjoyed today’s going.”
New start
THE Westmeath Foxhounds moved their starting point back 200 yards towards the last fence which was met favourably by riders on the day.
Jamie Codd stated; “The new start has worked out really well. The previous start was a little bit tight but this new start is a lot fairer to horses and it is much safer also.”
Murphy joins forces
THERE was cause for celebration for local handler Ciaran Murphy who recently got engaged to his long-term girlfriend Emily Taylor. Emily, who works for Tattersalls Ireland, is a regular face at many of the sales including Ascot and Cheltenham.
Maxine making
the best of it
LEADING handler Eugene O’Sullivan was in attendance at Castletown-Geoghegan on Sunday and was able to provide an update on his daughter, former champion lady rider Maxine O’Sullivan, who injured her knee in a fall at Listowel last month will be out for a number of months.
O’Sullivan’s father Eugene stated; “She has done a right job on the back of her knee. It will be the ligaments and muscles that will take the longest to heal, as where she has damaged it is where she will be putting the most pressure when riding. But she is in good spirits.”
HORSE TO FOLLOW
FIRST REVOLUTION (Sean Thomas Doyle): He is a son of Jeremy that set a quick pace out in front in the four-year-old maiden and he was still travelling well before slipping-up approaching five-out while travelling with real purpose.