Tom Red On Sunday County Roscommon Hunt holds its second Spring Point to Point at Lisbride just outside the town on the main road to Athlone with the kind permission of the land owner Mr. Michael McSharry, Castlerea following last year’s very successful meeting on Easter Sunday. The 9 furlong right hand track is reasonably level and has 5 jumps on each circuit and there are 6 races down for decision. The first race at 2.30 is the 4-Y-O Maiden kindly sponsored by The Abbey Hotel Roscommon. There are 39 horses entered in this race and one that catches the eye is the John Berry trained Hot Or What 2nd recently in Kilworth to Carch Bob. Also Thomond O’Mara has 2 entered first timer Kilcascan and Dunkelly Castle by Old Vic which was 2nd two weeks ago to Shinrock Paddy in a fast run race at Monksgrange in Wexford. The 5-Y-O Geldings Maiden is next up sponsored by The Joint Masters and sees an entry of 48. Eamon ‘Dusty’ has a horse called Mont Tresor entered here and after a good rest since being 2nd to In The Haven in Horse and Jockey could give an improved run. Pat Fahey’s after being 2nd in a very fast run race at Monksgrange on his first run. This, with expected improvement, will not be far away but the pick of them in a very open race, with a lot of first time runners, looks to be Molly’s Garden 3rd here in his last run in November to Definate Appeal with Turn Up 2nd who went on to win his next race by a distance. This one gave a miss to Athenry last weekend. Challenging In the Winners of 1 sponsored by Autoworld Casey, Athlone there are 28 entries. If Muckys Mate who was challenging when falling at the last in Castletowngeoghan behind Jacks Monday last Sunday turns out he will take plenty of beating here. Vintage Krug, 3rd behind Hunter Chase winner next time out Royal Blood in The Pigeons, would look the good thing in this race. Others to consider are Tarablaze and Foster and Allen’s Westmeath Batchelor trained by Cecil Ross won’t be too far away if back to his best. The Open Lightweight sponsored by the Percy French Hotel and EDA Construction has the smallest entry on the day of 14 led by David Christie’s Arctic Copper, 3rd last week in Athenry, Ballintue Road winner of the Barbour Cup in Castletowngeoghan and Enda Bolger’s George Travis looking for it’s first open. David Christie’s 13-Y-O son of Montelimar is looking for his 4th win on this track and could w3ell do so in the hands of regular partner Claire McMahon.. In the Mares Maiden sponsored by DG Roofing Williamstown and Beirne & Beattie Engineering Roscommon Alkindly would not be winning out of turn for the Brabazon family 2nd on her last 2 outings she is due a visit to the winners enclosure. Lightening Sky and Inistioge look to be the ones to give her most trouble. There are 39 mares entered. In the final race sponsored by Ward and Burke Engineering, Kilcolgan there are 50 entries, the highest of the day. This race is confined to novice riders who have not ridden more than 5 winners at the start of the day. Bubbly On Ice 2nd in Castletowngeoghan last Sunday under Jenny Geraghty, sister of Barry and Ross, is one to note in this race. Brian Keenan’s Flash Freddie 2nd in Castletowngeoghan is also entered here and in Tallanstown. Toby Park has a few good places in his form but Bubbly On Ice looks the order of the day. The County Roscommon Hunt was revived in the Millennium year of 2000 after an absence of many years and has continued to grow from strength to strength. The Hunt looks forward to seeing a big crowd at the races and hope all enjoy the experience which is totally different from a day’s racing on the track.
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