THE winning-most point-to-point rider of all time Derek O’Connor was the toast of his local Co Clare Hunt meeting at Bellharbour last Sunday as he partnered his 1300th winner between the flags.

The victory of the Sam Curling-trained Longhouse Legacy (2/1 - 5/4 favourite) in the five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden saw the 11-time champion rider reach the remarkable milestone. Owned by Curling’s long-standing patron John Duggan, the daughter of Walk In The Park showed a willing attitude late-on under O’Connor to regain the initiative from fellow market-principal Easy To Follow before carrying the day by two and a half lengths.

It’s now likely that Longhouse Legacy will be sold according to winning-handler Curling who was completing an across-the-card double.

“From a young age, I got a great grounding from my own family and others like the Lynch family and when you have a good start in life, you always have a great chance,” reflected a typically modest O’Connor.

Landmark

“I’ve been very lucky in the intervening years but it’s wonderful to have reached this landmark here in Bellharbour, so close to home, with my family and friends. There isn’t a face in the crowd I don’t know here today, it’s just a very special day.”

Former champion novice rider Rob James edged closer to his 300th winner when riding a treble, initiated by the promising Mt Fugi Park (2/1 - 4/6 favourite) in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden. A £65,000 store purchase by his handler Donnchadh Doyle from last year’s Goffs UK Spring Store Sale, the Walk In The Park newcomer moved through on the downhill run to the last and readily went clear to dismiss Lord Of Thunder by five lengths.

“This lad has always gone well at home. Rob was delighted with him and we’re hoping he’ll go on to bigger and better things for someone else now,” reported Doyle of the Monbeg Syndicate-owned half-brother to five-time winner Real Milan.

Doubling up, James was also successful in the open as the Henry de Bromhead-handled Somptueux (5/4 joint-favourite) made a winning return to points with a cosy two and a half-length triumph over Aloneamongmillions. Positively ridden from the outset, the eight-year-old gelding fenced fluently and scarcely saw another opponent on his first appearance since a Cross Country Chase at last year’s Punchestown Festival.

“We’re very happy with that. He loved that bit of nice ground and gave an exhibition of jumping. We’ll leave future plans to Henry,” said stable representative Alan Coady of Peter Davies’ winner.

Paddy De Pole pounces for James

ROB JAMES completed his hat-trick and registered the 296th point-to-point winner of his career in the process as Tom Keating’s home-bred Paddy De Pole (3/1 - 5/1), one of two maidens in the seven-runner contest, upstaged some more fancied rivals in the winners-of-one.

Having shaped with great encouragement on his previous starts in maiden company, the sweet-travelling Alkaadhem gelding gained the advantage after the fourth-last before bounding clear in the straight to inflict a 15 length defeat on Desert Cave.

“This horse has been unlucky not to win before today. He’s not really a soft ground horse so the going today was very much to his liking.

“I’d say if Tom doesn’t sell him now, he’ll run in another winners’ race,” outlined Michael Phillips, who was representing the absent winning handler.

Local handler John Staunton, who has his base near Tubber on the Clare-Galway border, sent out his second winner of the season from just three runners as Downmexicoway (4/1 - 5/1) collected the opening four-year-old maiden.

Confidently-ridden by Eoin Mahon, the Champs Elysees gelding asserted on the outer after the penultimate obstacle and easily saw off the challenge of the always prominent Strong Foundations in the home straight to score by six lengths.

“This horse has always been a pleasure to train. We did a few bits of work with him and everything he did was always well above-average,” outlined owner/trainer Staunton of his €25,000 Goffs Land Rover Sale acquisition.

“We felt coming here we had a nice horse and thankfully things went our way.”

Costello claims a first maiden win

THE 21-year-old Thomas Costello recorded his initial career success in the saddle aboard Asian Master (3/1 - 4/1) in the six-year-old and upwards geldings’ maiden.

Owned by the winning rider’s mother Marie and handled by his father Tony, the Shirocco gelding always took the eye in-running under Costello and found plenty late on to snugly defeat Honneur De Sivola by three lengths.

“I had a few seconds so it’s great to finally get my first winner,” remarked the delighted winning rider who hails from Newmarket On Fergus, Co Clare.

“I’m currently studying for a Business Studies degree in Limerick Institute Of Technology. I ride out at home each morning before college and school for as many locals as I can.

“I’d love to pick up even more rides in the weeks ahead while keeping up my studies as well. We’ll probably look for a winners’ race for Asian Master now.”

Horse To Follow

Lord Of Thunder (S. Curling): On his debut, this good-looking newcomer by Getaway put in a faultless display of jumping up front in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden. He only found the impressive Mt Fugi Park too good late-on and should have little difficulty in gaining compensation before embarking on a track career.