IT went right down to the final race of the season at Ballingarry on Monday but Barry O’Neill held on to win The Irish Field Point-to-Point Riders’ Championship for the first time.

O’Neill (28) began the day three winners ahead of fellow Wexford man Jamie Codd, following a treble at Ballingarry on Sunday, compared to two winners for Codd at Kinsale.

The prolific mare Maple Mons gave O'Neill two vital winners over the weekend - at Kinsale on Saturday and Ballingarry on Sunday. She has now been retired.

Both riders only had four races open to them on Monday’s Ballingarry card, as the six-race card included a race for lady riders and one for novice riders.

When Codd finished second in the opening four-year-old maiden, it meant he had to win all three of the remaining races open to him just to draw level with O’Neill.

Codd proceeded to win the next two races, reducing O’Neill’s lead to one winner with only one race left – a winners of three - open to both riders.

As it turned out, both riders made no impression in the race which was won by the favourite Pass The Ball.

O’Neill, who rides primarily for champion handler Colin Bowe, rode 66 winners during the season, one more than Codd who has twice been champion before.

The novice rider title also went down to the final day with Shane Fitzgerald edging out Liam Quinlan by a single winner.

MORE ON THE SEASON’S CHAMPIONS IN THE IRISH FIELD NEXT WEEKEND

THE Irish Field Point-To-Point Awards will take place in the Clayton Whites Hotel next Saturday, June 10th with tickets now on sale from p2p.ie.

Tickets are priced at only €65 and a limited number of rooms are also available from p2p.ie. For further details contact Kirsty (087 1611067) or Niall (086 7907676).

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