Winners flowing for Shane O'Brien and Henry just another

Waterford handler Shane O’Brien, who set five time winner cross-channel, Bushypark, on his way with a point-to-point win, struck in the opener at Wexford this afternoon through hooded Getaway newcomer Henry Box Brown (12/1 into 17/2).

Darragh Allen took the reins for owner Louise Beresford, aboard the successful chestnut, in this Lingstown (C & G) Point-To-Point Flat Race.

O’Brien is clearly a name that needs to be noted, after wins for My Design and Glenbeg Express, ‘between the flags,’ also in recent times.

Here his always to the fore charge beat the gambled-on and unlucky-in-running Limerick Leader (8s into 7/2) by a length and three parts. Kilnacarra also took the eye in third, a length and a half back.

"That was my first runner on the track. He is a nice horse and is for sale. He has done everything really easy since we got him and we only have him since the start of September. He can be a bit enthusiastic so we popped the hood on him. He just wants to get on with it more than anything and you can't fault him for that," said O'Brien.

"Ray Beresford (brother of the winning owner) was the underbidder on him up at the sales, but he couldn't get him out of his head, so he went after him and bought him off of Aidan Fitzgerald (trainer of the runner-up here). He had to give Aidan a few pounds profit but it has worked out well.

"I turned twenty-eight on St Patrick's Day and I'm based near Aglish in Waterford. We put in a gallop there a year ago and things are going great since.

Sporting a sling, he added: "I got a fall schooling the other day and need to have an x-ray on it, but I wanted to get today out of the way.

"I only rode a couple of times and didn't have any winners. I went to England then for a year. Things are going well and I've had three winners from four runners in point-to-point's. I'm getting my licence soon, I have it all applied for and will be doing the course over Zoom.

"I have a mare to run at Tipperary on Wednesday too. She won a point-to-point so hopefully she will take a bit of beating."

Mr H.D. Dunne, rider of Limerick Leader (FR) trained by Aidan Fitzgerald, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount got no run before turning into the straight.

The Stewards interviewed Mr. H.D. Dunne, rider of Limerick Leader (FR), concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who accepted that he was in breach of the rule. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were satisfied that Mr. H. D. Dunne was in breach of Regulation 10.3.g, excessive frequency. Having considered Mr. H. D. Dunne's record in this regard the Stewards suspended him for one raceday.

(DM & EM)