Local trainers were well to the fore at the annual Kanturk Duhallow Point to Point races on Sunday. Trainers Eugene O’Sullivan, Ken Budds and Pat O’Keeffe all visited the winners enclosure. The opening confined Maiden saw Lombardstown Mallow trainer, Eugene O’Sullivan, introduce a most impressive newcomer Luby, which made a sparkling debut jumping superbly and sprinting clear from the last for an eight length win. Eugene has over 20 in harness for the season and was rally pleased with this success.

Banteer trainer Ken Budds and Mallow jockey Martin Ferris combined successfully to land the second division of the five-year old Geldings maiden with 5/1 chance Echo Blue.

The stylish and talented 20-year old jockey is finally getting the recognition that he deserves and impressed many good judges with his strength in the saddle in the final surge from the last to the finishing line. This was his second success of the season, and his 13th career win. He rides out regularly for the winning trainer, along with Jimmy Mangan, Liam Burke, Sean Aherne and Mick O’Cauaghan from Dromina.

It was a day to remember for 20- year old accountancy student, Mark Flannery from Churchtown, Mallow who scored his first ever win in Point to Point Racing on 4/1 chance Welcome Hero. Mark showed excellent pace judgement, and superb jockeyship to land the prize for a most popular victory. The winner is trained and produced to perfection by Pat O’Keeffe from Churchtown, Mallow and owned by Mary Flannery of Eggmount Stud, Churchtown.

Current Champion John Thomas McNamara scored a double. He won the first division of the four-year old mares and geldings on Stoney Ford Ben by 25 lengths for owner Robert Finnegan from Stoney Ford, Kilkenny and trainer Shay Slevin from Wexford.

Derek O’Connor also completed a double in the final race of the day on Coopers Rose a steady 9/2 chance which romped home by five lengths. The half sister to Jodami is trained by Ann Lambert in Wexford and owned by Pat Doyle, Wexford. The winner, who possesses endless stamina, will contest a three-mile Hurdle on the track.

The riding performance of the day was given by 18-year old Eddie Power from Thurles, on the Danny O’Connell trained Over Alainn (5/2f) in the Division 2 of the four-year old Mares and Geldings Maiden. The hair-raising ride for power commenced at the first fence where he was interfered with by a faller and lost five lengths.

At the fifth last he made a horrendous mistake and had to bring the winner out wide to challenge at the last, and ran on strongly for a game and deserved success. Owned by Colman Flynn, Fermoy, the winner’s Dam won the prestigious Troytown Chase with Beann Alainn and will now be prepared for a two and half mile bumper.

The Kanturk Duhallow committee are now preparing for their next Point to Point meeting which takes place at Dromahane on January 1, 2004, the opening meeting of the year.

The next Cork Point to Point fixture takes place at Boulta Conna on Sunday, November 30 at 11.30am. Please note the earlier starting time.