UK pointing was in full swing throughout the Easter Weekend with 19 fixtures taking place across the country. Former Irish pointers put up a fine display securing a sum total of 56 wins from Saturday through to Easter Monday. Below, we take a look where some of these horses began their racing careers in Ireland.
Saturday, 20th April 2019
Flete Park
The daughter of Mahler, Deise Gold, secured a five-length success in the eight-runner open maiden at Flete Park on Saturday for Jill Dennis. The seven-year-old mare first started off with Patrick Kiely in Irish points, the mare enjoyed numerous placings before Tim Dennis purchased her for £6,800 at Ascot in June 2017.
Higham, Suffolk
The hunt members race at Higham went to The Gunner Brady for Alan Hill bringing the ten-year-old's UK pointing tally up to seven. This former Irish pointer graduated from Colin Bowe's yard in Kiltealy, Wexford. Third at the third time of asking for Bowe, the son of Heron Island was subsequently sold to Donald McCain for £5000 back in 2013.
Bonvilston
The James-Ridley-trained Chase Me ran out an impressive winner of the older open maiden at Bonvilston for owners Heather Ridely and Helen Wood. Liam Kenny initially handled Chase Me for Patrick Joseph Redmond, the son of Mahler ran five-times in Irish point-to-points finishing second on four of those occasions. The gelding subsequently ran on the track in the UK before returning to pointing for Ridley this season.
Sunday, 21st April 2019
Witton Castle
Abbeyview claimed the spoils in the conditions race at Witton Castle on Sunday for Sarah and Laura Fenwick. The Misternando gelding found success in Irish point-to-points at the fourth time of asking when taking the six-year-old maiden at Lisronagh in 2013 for Jeannette Riordan. The gelding was subsequently trained by Sheila Crow in the UK before moving to Fenwick's care in February of last year.
Monday, 22nd April 2019
Paxford
Call Me Vic followed up his previous success at Maisemore Park with a win in the conditions race for novice riders for Sally Randell. The Irish point graduate was a debut winner at Dromahane in the five-year-old geldings' maiden for Adrian Maguire back in 2012. Following on from his Irish pointing victory the gelding made a successful transition to the track winning six races in the UK for Tom George before returning to pointing under the care of Randell this spring.
Lydstep
The Mary Evans-trained Hold Court ran out a 25-length winner of the ladies open at Lydstep on Monday, the success brings the 12-year-olds tally up to six. Philip Fenton began the son of Court Cave's racing career in Irish points back in 2011. The gelding finished second on his four-year-old debut at Athlacca, Evan Williams took over the training duties following that run. In the UK, Hold Court recorded eight success under rules for Williams before returning to pointing in 2017.
