Larkhill point-to-point kicked the 2020 proceedings off for UK point-to-points, with 108 horses contesting in the nine races that took place on the day.
Former Irish point-to-pointers continued to perform in UK points at the weekend with Irish horses accounting for two of last weekend UK pointing winners. We take a closer look below at where these two winners started off their racing careers.
Sunday, 05th January 2020
Larkhill, Wiltshire
Former Irish pointer and track horse My Murphy was a wide-margin winner in the 11-runner novice rider conditions race at Larkhill for Sally Randell.
The son of Presenting made his UK point-to-point debut back in February when he was placed third at the Chaddesley fixture.
Veteran My Murphy was ridden by his 17-year-old pilot Albi Tufnell and timed his challenge to perfection as he caught long-time leader, Darius Des Bois, winning easily by 15 lengths.
Liam Burke started the 14-year-old off in Irish point-to-points back in 2011, getting off the mark at the second time of asking when winning by a neck at Ballynoe in his five-year-old geldings’ maiden.
The bay gelding enjoyed five wins, two of which were graded wins and a handful of placings under rules before returning to point-to-pointing in 2017.
Thechaseison, a former Sean Doyle inmate, made his debut performance in UK point-to-points a winning one at Larkhill in the maiden conditions race for his handler Christopher Barber when coming home eight lengths in front of his rivals.
The five-year-old, who was bought privately by Ed Bailey, made all before holding off the challenges of The Whiskey Man and Baignard to win in good style.
The son of Stowaway was last seen running in May of 2019 when finishing fifth at Ballindenisk, on what was his fourth run between the flags in Ireland, with his best effort being third at Cragmore when opening up his account.
UK POINTING